Spotlightuk

Aitch (they/them) is an actor, singer, and trans inclusivity consultant in the performing arts. In this episode we cover some of the basic definitions and language used when talking about gender constructs and challenging them. We also discuss the importance of the arts in driving social change and what the industry can do to be more aware and inclusive when it comes to transgender, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming performers.

This is the seventh of our guided meditations from our Powerful Pause series. This 12 minute guided visualisation featured in our Taming the Parrot workshop and is designed to help you to tap into the part of you that simply ‘knows’.

This is the sixth of our guided meditations from our Powerful Pause series. If you're feeling like you need to take some time out to pause and reset, Bea (Spotlight's Mental Health and Wellbeing Manager) has recorded this 20-minute meditation for you to listen to at your own leisure.

This is the fifth of our guided meditations from our Powerful Pause series. If you're feeling like you need to take some time out to pause and reset, Bea (Spotlight's Mental Health and Wellbeing Manager) has recorded this 20-minute meditation for you to listen to at your own leisure.

We're joined by Kevin Grogan, the triple threat performer behind the smash-hit drag queen persona, Veronica Green, from RuPaul's Drag Race UK.

This is the fourth of our guided meditations from our Powerful Pause series. Bea (Spotlight's Mental Health and Wellbeing Manager) has recorded this 10 minute Pre-Audition Meditation which is great to listen to before you're going into an audition.

This is the third of our guided meditations from our Powerful Pause series. If you're feeling like you need to take some time out to pause and reset, Bea (Spotlight's Mental Health and Wellbeing Manager) has recorded this 20 minute meditation for you to listen to at your own leisure.

If you’re feeling like you need to take some time for yourself to pause and reset, this 20-minute reignite meditation session run by Spotlight Mental Heath and Wellbeing Manager, Bea Grist is perfect for you.

We speak to Dave Hearn. Dave is an actor and co-founder of Olivier Award winning theatre company, Mischief Theatre, who you might know from their smash hits, The Play That Goes Wrong, The Play About a Bank Robbery and now, The Goes Wrong Show on the BBC. We discuss Dave's journey with Mischief Theatre, from the early days of performing in rooms above pubs, right through to the West End transfers and TV commissions that followed. We also chat about the teething pains of trying to make your own work as a performer, and how Dave kept going when he thought about giving it all up. 

If you’re feeling like you need to take some time for yourself to pause and reset, this 20-minute meditation session run by Spotlight Mental Health and Wellbeing Manager, Bea Grist is perfect for you. 

We're joined by 13-year-old Emmy Award-winning actor Billy Barratt, his mum Carolyn Owlett and Casting Director Daniel Edwards CDG to talk about casting and acting for screen.

In this episode of The Spotlight Podcast, we focus on self-care including tips for managing anxiety and stress. We're joined by Bea Grist, Spotlight's Mental Health and Wellbeing Manager who shares practical self-care tips and information about you can sign up to the wellbeing programme, which is now available to members.

In this episode of the Spotlight podcast, we talk to playwright Ella Hickson and director Natalie Abrahami about collaboration in theatre. Natalie and Ella have worked on hugely successful projects together including Anna at the National Theatre and the upcoming Swive (Elizabeth) at The Globe. In this podcast they chat to us about working in theatre, their continued collaboration and what they look for in actors. We also hear tips for writing or directing your own work and their advice for actors auditioning for theatre. If you have questions about today's podcast, send them over to questions@spotlight.com. For more general industry information, tips and advice, check out our News & Advice pages. Anything else? Ask us on Twitter.

On today's episode, we chat to Barely Methodical Troupe's Beren D’Amico, Louis Gift and Charlie Wheeler about their production of Bromance.   Three friends came together to create a unique circus-theatre experience. They explain how their love of physical theatre, acrobatics and dance helped them develop their piece. We discuss the central themes of male friendship and comedy, the challenges of taking a show to the Fringe plus a regime for staying at the top of your physical and mental game during the run of a very demanding show. And yes, it might involve a spa! If you have questions about today's podcast, send them over to questions@spotlight.com. For more general industry info, tips and advice, check out our News & Advice pages. Anything else? Ask us on Twitter

On today's episode, we chat to Sadie Clark ‘Algorithms’ Isabelle Kabban ‘LOVE (Watching Madness)’ and Katie Guicciardi (‘Fox’) about their respective solo Edinburgh shows. Going it alone means doing absolutely everything yourself: writing, performing, venue research, getting the right time slot, promotion and money. When also featuring very personal stories focusing on sexuality, relationships and motherhood how do you then deal with feedback and critics? And what’s your self-care plan when the pressure is all on you? If you have questions about today's podcast, send them over to questions@spotlight.com. For more general industry info, tips and advice, check out Spotlight's News & Advice pages. Anything else? Ask us on Twitter!

On today's episode, we chat to our Young Performers Consultant, Ellie Samuels, about whether or not it is ever beneficial to list more than one agent on your profile. Young Performers need an agent to sign up for Spotlight, but what could more than one agent offer, if anything? What are the pros and cons? Ellie talks us through it.  If you have questions about today's podcast, send them over to questions@spotlight.com or contact Ellie on ellie.samuels@spotlight.com. Find out more great advice for young performers on our website. For more general industry info, tips and advice, check out www.spotlight.com/news-and-advice. Anything else? Ask us on Twitter!   

In the first of our Edinburgh special podcasts, we sat down with theatre producer Francesca Moody. Francesca has produced theatre in London, Edinburgh, on tour in the UK and internationally. She is the original producer of the multi-award-winning and Olivier nominated Fleabag by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, which she has presented in Edinburgh, at Soho Theatre on UK tours and internationally in South Korea and Australia and most recently New York for DryWrite. Francesca is also the former Producer of British New-Writing theatre company Paines Plough where she worked on plays by the UK’s leading playwrights including Dennis Kelly, Duncan Macmillan and Kate Tempest. In this episode, we talk about how she chooses her projects, what skills make for a good producer, and tips about taking a show to the Fringe, amongst many other things!  If you have questions you'd like us to answer in an upcoming podcast, drop us an email at questions@spotlight.com or reach out to us on Twitter. 

In this episode, Christina talks to Michelle Kirby of Daisy and Dukes Agency, along with the parent of a performer she represents, Diane Zetterstrom. Diane's son Oliver is a young performer on Spotlight, exploring his passion for performing. We chat through how parents and agents can form a good relationship, the ins and outs parents should be aware of in the industry, and how to work with the service provided by Spotlight. If you have questions about this episode or something you'd like us to discuss in a future episode, send us an email at questions@spotlight.com. 

Spotlight talks to Kickstarter's Gemma Seltzer all about how you as a creative can turn your vision into reality. Create your own work by getting the money you need, using crowdfunding. We talk about what projects work well on crowdfunding platforms, how to make sure your project stands out, what you'll need to think about and prepare to succeed in your funding efforts, and lots more.  Gemma not only works with artists at Kickstarter, but also previously worked at Arts Council England and runs the Write and Shine early morning writing sessions.  Read more on Kickstarter at their website and check out their Creator Handbook as a great place to start with your own project funding. Gemma also mentions a great resource called A Creative Person's Guide to Thoughtful Promotion.  Got more questions you want answered in an upcoming podcast? Email us at questions@spotlight.com. Find Gemma on Twitter @gemseltz. 

Today's episode is all about your rights and duties as a freelance worker! This includes all the essentials you should know about working rights in the UK, taxation, contracts, and much, much more. Talking to Spotlight we have Alan Lean and Stephen Duncan-Rice from Equity, who give us the lowdown on everything a self-employed performer needs to navigate the (less than fun, but super important) legal stuff on the job.  Thank you to everyone who sent us their questions!  We have way more information on our website on being self-employed and on all the legal/financial things you should know as a performer.