Date: June 15th
Time: 23:59

Applications are now open for our exclusive industry showcase, directed by acclaimed director Sarah Esdaile, who is currently directing Call the Midwife.

 APPLY VIA PAGE HERE: https://r3symms0.sibpages.com/

Previous showcases have been attended by leading industry professionals and organisations including Royal Shakespeare Company, Shakespeare's Globe, Complicité, 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, alongside directors from both stage and screen, including directors working across the BBC drama departments.

Places are strictly limited to ensure each actor receives substantial stage time and industry exposure. The showcase fee includes London rehearsal space, direction, theatre hire, professional self-tape filming, technicians, bar, showcase staff, and administration costs.

The showcase will run for just under one hour. Actors will remain on stage throughout, performing one monologue each while also creating the character-led transitions between scenes.

Meet Our Director: 

Sarah Esdaile 

Sarah’s television credits include two feature length episodes of The Chelsea Detective, seven episodes of Call the Midwife including the two part 2024 Christmas Special, two episodes of Casualty and multiple episodes of Eastenders. Sarah is also proud to direct the Actors’ Guild Showcase.

Theatre work includes: 40th Anniversary production of Abigail’s Party and Talking Heads (Theatre Royal Bath and Tour), Single Spies (Rose Theatre), Paxo - a one man show with Jeremy Paxman (Pleasance Theatre London and Edinburgh), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Deep Blue Sea, Crash, Death of a Salesman, The Grouch (West Yorkshire Playhouse), where she was an Associate Director. The Lady in the Van (Hull Truck Theatre/UK Tour), Sleeping Beauty, Cling to Me Like Ivy, His Dark Materials (Birmingham Repertory Theatre), Life X 3 (Watermill Theatre), The Horse Marines (Theatre Royal, Plymouth), Drowning on Dry Land (Salisbury Playhouse), Kafka’s Dick (Watford Palace), James and the Giant Peach (M.E.N Award) and The BFG (Octagon Theatre), The Taming of the Shrew (RSC), Pictures of Clay (Royal Exchange), Coyote on a Fence (Royal Exchange/Duchess Theatre), (M.E.N Award), Compact Failure (Arcola Theatre/Clean Break), The Maiden’s Prayer and See How Beautiful I am (Bush Theatre). Sarah was Associate Director on Michael Boyd’s award winning Histories Tetralogy at the RSC. At Shakespeare’s Globe, Sarah assisted on the inaugural production of Henry V.

Sarah is currently in post-production for a three part adaptation for Audible.

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.

APPLY VIA PAGE HERE: https://r3symms0.sibpages.com/

Key Dates: 

Self-tape application deadline: June 15th 2026

Successful applications notified: June 19th 2026

Rehearsal Dates: September 26th-28th  (individual slots about an hour long in a London rehearsal venue)

Company Rehearsal: September 29th 10am-6pm

Showcase Day: September 30th 10-3pm

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 who apply will receive an email containing a file request link, where they will be asked to upload a self-tape of a 2 minute monologue they would intend to perform as part of the showcase. This monologue should be chosen with a showcase setting in mind, highlighting the actor’s strengths and suitability for a live performance in front of an audience.

Please note that while this initial submission helps us understand your casting and performance style, you will have the opportunity to adjust or change your monologue closer to the showcase date if needed.

 APPLY VIA PAGE HERE: https://r3symms0.sibpages.com/