—— APPLICATIONS OPEN
The Actors' Guild Showcase
Applications are now open for our exclusive industry showcase, directed by acclaimed director Sarah Esdaile, who is currently directing Call the Midwife.
—— ABOUT THE SHOWCASE
A live showcase designed to put actors in the room.
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.
Limited Places. Maximum Exposure.
Places are strictly limited so every actor receives meaningful stage time, focused direction and genuine industry visibility.
The showcase fee includes London rehearsal space, expert direction, theatre hire, professional self-tape filming, technicians, bar, showcase staff and administration.
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.
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.
—— MEET OUR DIRECTOR
Sarah Esdaile
Television & Theatre Director
—— NUTS & BOLTS
How it all works
The Venue
We are using the main theatre at The Courtyard Theatre, London. We are building a webpage — including headshots and Spotlight links — for all those on the showcase to use when inviting industry contacts.
Professional Self-Tape
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.
Industry Invitations
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. All bookings go through the Actors' Guild office. We will provide soft drinks and/or wine for those attending.
Your Responsibility
Participants accept it is their responsibility to invite those they would like to attend. While we cannot guarantee attendance, we will reach out to all of our contacts on your behalf.
—— KEY DATES
Your showcase timeline
SELF-TAPE APPLICATION DEADLINE
June 15th, 2026
SUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS NOTIFIED
June 19th, 2026
REHEARSAL DATES
September 26th - 28th, 2026
Individual slots about an hour long in a London rehearsal venue.
COMPANY REHEARSAL
September 29th, 2026
10am - 5pm
SHOWCASE DAY
September 30th, 2026
10am - 3pm
A payment of ÂŁ445 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.
—— COST
Showcase Fee
ÂŁ445
Payment plan available
—— HOW TO APPLY
The application process
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 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.
LIMITED PLACES AVAILABLE
Apply for The Actors’ Guild Showcase
Submit your details and we'll send you everything you need to begin your application — including your self-tape submission link.