Date: October 31st
Time: 23:59

This is an invite for members only to apply for our upcoming showcase. To apply is free, we will send all applicants an email with details on how to apply, following their submission of interest through "booking" on this page.

Our showcase is directed by Sarah Esdaile, who is currently directing Call The Midwife. 

Our showcases have been attended by a wide section of leading industry names including The RSC, The Globe, Complicite, Wig and Pen Associates, Galloways Agency, Rachel Freck Casting, Paines Plough, International Artists, Amanda Howard Associates, Cole Kitchenn Personal Management, Top Talent Agency, Mia Thomson Associates, Scott Marshall Associates, Shepherd Management, Bill Kenwright Ltd, as well as directors from stage and screen, including directors working for the ongoing BBC drama departments. 

The showcase is limited to a small number of actors to ensure enough stage time per actor. The cost includes London rehearsal space, director, theatre hire, self-tape professional filming, technicians, bar, showcase staff and administration costs. The showcase will last just under 1 hour. Actors will be on stage throughout, performing one monologue each, and also forming the character led links between scenes. 

Sarah Esdaile is a British director whose career spans both theatre and television, known for her collaborative, actor-centred approach. A graduate of Goldsmiths and an alumna of the first National Theatre Studio Director’s Course, she has worked extensively in theatre, directing at venues including the Finborough, Arcola, Bush Theatre, BAC, Hull Truck, Birmingham Rep, Salisbury Playhouse, Octagon Bolton, Royal Exchange, Rose Theatre Kingston, and the West Yorkshire Playhouse, where as Associate Director she staged acclaimed productions such as The Deep Blue Sea with Maxine Peake, Death of a Salesman, and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Other highlights include the award-winning James and the Giant Peach, the West End transfer of Coyote on a Fence, national tours such as Abigail’s Party, and one-person shows including PAXO with Jeremy Paxman. Since 2019 she has also established herself in television, directing multiple episodes of EastEnders (2019–2022), Call the Midwife, and The Chelsea Detective, bringing her theatrical sensibilities to the screen and building a reputation for versatility across stage and TV storytelling.

Nuts & Bolts: We are using the main theatre at The Courtyard Theatre. We are building a webpage, which will include headshots and Spotlight links, for all those on the showcase to use when inviting industry contacts. Actors will also have the opportunity to have a professional self-tape filmed of their monologue, using a high-quality camera and set-up, so they can add a polished recording to their Spotlight page.

The Actors' Guild has strong relationships with many leading casting directors, directors, agents and producers and will invite all those who have worked with us, as well as our other contacts, although of course we cannot guarantee their attendance. Participants accept it is their responsibility to invite those they would like to attend – although all bookings will go through the Actors' Guild office. We will provide soft drinks and/or wine for those attending.

Dates and Times:

16th, 17th, 18th February - each actor will have an individual rehearsal with our director.

19th February - full company rehearsal.

20th February - showcase day at The Courtyard Theatre, Shoreditch. 

Cost: A payment of £445 is required from actors who are successful following the self-tape stage. This fee contributes to the full cost of the showcase, which includes theatre hire, technical support, marketing, and associated production expenses. To make this more manageable, a payment plan option is available, allowing the total to be spread across instalments. Full details of the plan will be provided upon acceptance.

Application: All actors that apply will receive an email with a dropbox request link to upload a self-tape of a monologue they would like to perform in the showcase. Please note you may receive these details a few days after you apply. 

Key Dates: 

Self-tape application deadline: October 31st 

Successful applications notified: November 4th 

Rehearsal Dates: February 16th-18th (individual slots about an hour long)

Company Rehearsal: February 19th 10am-4pm

Showcase Day: February 20th 10-3pm