Spotlight, Mandy, Backstage, StarNow, Casting Callback, Actors Access, SceneTribe… where do actors actually find auditions, and which casting platforms are worth using?

In this solo episode of The Drama Coach Podcast, Lisa talks through the world of casting platforms and what they can - and can’t - do for actors, young performers and parents.

Casting platforms can be brilliant tools, but they are not magic doors, career guarantees or measures of talent. They are one part of a much bigger picture that includes training, confidence, self-tape skills, good materials, safe adults, professional communication and the ability to handle rejection without losing the joy.

This episode is especially for parents of young performers, teens, emerging actors and anyone feeling overwhelmed by the number of casting sites, subscriptions and opportunities out there.

Lisa talks about:

• What casting platforms are actually for
• Why you do not need to be on everything
• Spotlight and when it becomes useful in the UK
• Actors Access and the US market
• Mandy, Backstage, StarNow and Casting Callback
• SceneTribe and creative industry profiles
• How to think about paid platforms and subscriptions
• What makes a good actor profile
• Safety considerations for young performers
• Why casting platforms are not a substitute for training
• How to use audition sites without constantly checking, refreshing and worrying
• Keeping the young person at the centre of the process

The main message of this episode is simple: you do not need to be everywhere. You need to be in the right places for your stage, your goals and your safety.

For young performers especially, the priority should always be good training, safe support, clear communication, healthy expectations and a performer who still loves what they are doing.

Casting platforms can open doors, but they should never become the whole house.

Useful links

Spotlight:
https://www.spotlight.com

Mandy:
https://www.mandy.com

Backstage:
https://www.backstage.com

StarNow:
https://www.starnow.com

Casting Callback:
https://www.castingcallback.com

Actors Access:
https://actorsaccess.com

SceneTribe:
https://scenetribe.com

This episode is supported by SceneTribe.

SceneTribe is the creative industries network built around the work you have done and the people you have done it with. Creatives can build multidisciplinary profiles, connect credits to productions and make real collaborations visible.

With under-18 parent-managed profiles now available, SceneTribe is becoming a really interesting space for young performers and their families to explore safely and thoughtfully.

Find out more at:
https://scenetribe.com

Connect with Lisa / The Drama Coach

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thedramacoach

TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@thedramacoach

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/thedramacoach

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@thedramacoach

The Drama Coach Podcast is for young performers, parents, emerging actors and anyone supporting young people as they navigate acting, auditions, training, confidence and the industry.

Music: Soft Music 495878 by nastelbom from Pixabay.

In this episode of The Drama Coach Podcast, Lisa is joined by actor, voice artist, director, writer and composer Helen Goldwyn for an honest and thoughtful conversation about building a lasting career in the performing arts.

Helen began professional training at Arts Educational Schools at the age of 12 and has since developed a wide-ranging creative career across theatre, musical theatre, audio drama, voiceover, directing, writing and composing. She is currently part of the company of Allegra, the new play starring Dame Maureen Lipman, covering the roles of Allegra and Anna as the production tours before heading into the West End.

Together, Lisa and Helen explore what life as a working actor really looks like - including the joy of performing, the sacrifices involved, the importance of flexible work and what it takes to remain creative and resilient between acting jobs.

Helen also shares refreshingly honest advice about casting, rejection and self-belief. She explains why performers need to separate their personal identity from their casting identity, why persistence and genuine industry relationships matter, and how creating your own work can help you stay active without waiting for somebody else’s permission.

In this episode:

• Helen’s journey from full-time ballet training to a varied performing career

• The realities and sacrifices of life as a working actor

• Touring, understudying and staying ready to perform

• Why performers need flexible work alongside acting

• Opportunities within voiceover, audio drama and creative work

• Building genuine relationships without forced networking

• Handling rejection without making it personal

• Understanding your casting while valuing yourself beyond it

• Staying creative during quieter periods

• Social media as a professional tool - and maintaining safe boundaries

• Why comedy must be grounded in truth

• Finding the skills and qualities that make you distinctive

• Positive affirmations, confidence and learning to recognise your achievements

• How parents can offer constructive feedback without undermining confidence

• Learning to be happy between acting jobs

Helen’s central message is an important one: You are not defined by whether you are currently acting or by how successful your career appears to be. There are other parts of life to enjoy, other ways to remain creative and many different versions of a successful performing career.

Tiktok & Instagram: @a_real_character 

Website and voice demos:https://helengoldwyn.com

YouTube - comedy songs, performances and creative work:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9B_3kt2DNvNuGlgSKJ41dA

Facebook: Search Helen Goldwyn - Composer/Performer

Website and coaching:https://www.lisasoutham.co.uk

TikTok, YouTube and Facebook:@TheDramaCoach

All podcast episodes, acting resources and useful links:https://linktr.ee/thedramacoach

SceneTribe is a creative networking platform helping performers and other creatives build profiles, make connections and become part of a supportive professional community.

Find out more:https://scenetribe.com

‘Soft Music 495878’ by NastelbomMusic sourced from Pixabay.

Follow or subscribe to The Drama Coach Podcast and share this episode with a young performer, parent or early-career actor who may find it useful.

Speaking with confidence isn't just about standing on a stage or delivering a presentation. For young performers, it's walking into an audition room, introducing yourself on a self-tape, answering interview questions, speaking up in rehearsals and learning to trust your own voice.

In this solo episode, Lisa explores why confidence isn't something you're born with - it's something you build. Drawing on her experience as an actor, communication coach and drama teacher, she shares practical tools to help performers, parents and anyone who wants to communicate more clearly and authentically.

Inspired by the themes in her book Confidence Within, this episode is packed with simple techniques you can start using today.

• Why confidence is a skill, not a personality trait

• How acting and public speaking complement each other

• Why performers need communication skills beyond the performance itself

• The connection between breath, body language and voice

• How pauses can make you sound more confident

• Self-tape slates and speaking as yourself

• Eye contact, connection and authentic communication

• Helping young performers build confidence one small step at a time

• Why waiting until you "feel confident" rarely works

• Practical confidence tools for auditions, presentations and everyday life

• Supporting young performers without adding pressure

• Why acting teaches life skills that go far beyond the stage

• Building self-belief from the inside out

• Confidence Within: Begin Your Journey to Speaking with Clarity and Authenticity (Paperback, Kindle & Audiobook)

• SceneTribe

• The Car Journey Home - Helping your child after auditions and performances: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/JFBjWUQcg4b 

• Staying Safe in Castings: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/c85TJ74cg4b

In this episode, Lisa discusses:Resources mentioned:Related episodes:
Connect with Lisa:

• Lisa Southam Website

• The Drama Coach Podcast Linktree

Lisa offers 1:1 coaching for:

• Acting auditions

• Self-tapes

• Public speaking

• Confidence and communication

• Drama school preparation

• Young performers and adults

Visit the website or get in touch via social media to find out more.

SceneTribe - The creative industries network built around your credits, collaborations and the people you've worked with.

Music: Soft Music 495878 by nastelbom from Pixabay

CoachingThis episode is supported by:

In this episode of The Drama Coach Podcast, Lisa is joined by Adam Stadius from Get Into Drama School for a practical, honest and reassuring conversation about drama school auditions, actor training and preparing for the next stage.

This episode is especially useful for teens, young adults and parents who are starting to think seriously about drama school, conservatoire training, audition preparation and what it actually takes to apply.

Adam is an acting coach and actor training specialist whose work through Get Into Drama School helps applicants understand and prepare for drama school auditions. He is also a Meisner technique specialist, working through Northern Meisner Lab in Leeds, and is Deputy Head of the School of Drama at Leeds Conservatoire.

Together, Lisa and Adam talk about how to choose where to apply, what schools are really looking for, how to prepare monologues and songs, and why the audition process is not about being perfect. It is about preparation, openness, curiosity and showing who you are as a performer.

In this episode, we talk about:

• What drama school and conservatoire training actually involves

• Whether drama school is the only route into the industry

• How to choose which schools or courses to apply for

• Why open days and the “feel” of a school really matter

• Foundation courses, degrees, diplomas and different training routes

• What drama schools are looking for in applicants

• Talent, potential, attitude and work ethic

• How to choose strong audition material

• Why your monologue does not need to be the “perfect” piece on the page

• Contemporary and classical monologues

• Shakespeare and why doing the work matters

• Self-tape auditions and how not to overthink them

• What happens at an in-person audition or recall day

• How to approach redirection in the room

• Interview questions and being honest about where you are

• Meisner technique, listening and truthful acting

• How parents can support without adding pressure

• Why one audition season does not define your whole future

A key message from this episode is that drama school auditions are not about arriving as a finished product. They are about showing potential, curiosity, willingness and a readiness to learn.

For young performers, this is a brilliant reminder that you do not have to be perfect. You need to be prepared, open and brave enough to bring yourself to the work.

For parents, it is a helpful look behind the curtain at what drama school auditions can involve, and how you can support your young performer without taking over or adding extra pressure.

Where to find Adam:

Get in to Drama School on TikTok: @dramaschooltips 

You can also find his online school community through the link in his bio.

For Meisner technique and classes in Leeds, you can find Northern Meisner Lab on Instagram: @northernmeisnerlab

Where to find Lisa:

TikTok, Instagram and YouTube: @TheDramaCoach

This episode is supported by SceneTribe - the creative industry network built around your credits, collaborations and the work you have actually done.

Find out more at:

www.scenetribe.com

Music from Pixabay:Soft Music 495878 by Nastelbom

Why Young Performers Need More Than a CV

In this solo episode of The Drama Coach Podcast, Lisa explores why a young performer's journey is about far more than credits, castings and professional CVs. From school productions and youth theatre to workshops, self-tapes and creative collaborations, every experience contributes to a bigger picture of growth, confidence and professional awareness.

Lisa reflects on how parents can help young performers recognise their progress, build healthy creative networks, and develop a sense of identity that isn't dependent on booking the next role. She also discusses online visibility, safety, and the importance of adult support when young performers begin creating a professional presence. Inspired by the launch of parent-managed under-18 profiles on SceneTribe, this episode opens up a wider conversation about helping young creatives build a record of their work safely, sensibly and with perspective.

In this episode, Lisa discusses:

• Why young performers need more than a list of credits
• The difference between visibility and fame
• How creative experiences contribute to long-term development
• Why reflection is often more valuable than outcomes
• Building professional awareness and understanding the wider industry
• Networking without being pushy
• The importance of kindness, communication and reputation
• Parent-managed profiles and online safety
• What to include on a young performer's profile
• Supporting multidisciplinary creative interests
• Why no platform, profile or agent is a shortcut to success
• Practical steps parents can take this week to support their child
• How to help young performers build confidence in a healthy way

Resources mentioned:

• SceneTribe

Connect with Lisa:

• The Drama Coach Podcast Linktree
• Lisa Southam Website

This episode is sponsored by:

• SceneTribe - The creative industries network built around the work you've done and the people you've done it with.

Music:

Music by Soft_Music 495878Nastelbom from Pixabay.

In this episode of The Drama Coach Podcast, Lisa is joined by Jamie Body - performer, presenter, journalist, podcast host and industry educator.

Through his work on The Business of Show Business, Jamie helps performers understand not just the craft, but the career: Branding, self-promotion, networking, communication and the wider realities of building a creative life.

This conversation is all about what young performers need beyond talent. Because while training, technique and performance skills absolutely matter, they are not the whole picture. Jamie and Lisa talk about the transferable skills that come from performing arts training, how to think about yourself as a creative professional, why branding does not have to feel fake, and how young performers can begin building confidence, clarity and professionalism as they step into the industry.

Jamie also shares brilliant insight into networking, social media, audition rooms, presenting, journalism, rejection, red flags, parent support and the importance of knowing how to talk about who you are and what you bring.

This is a really useful episode for young performers, parents, drama students and anyone trying to understand the industry in a wider, more grounded way.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Jamie’s route from dance training into presenting, journalism, podcasting and industry education

• Why performing arts training gives you transferable skills for life

• Confidence, communication and the value of asking questions

• Why talent can get you one job, but professionalism helps build a career

• What “personal branding” really means for performers

• Why your in-person presence and online presence need to match

• How young performers can be specific without limiting themselves

• The importance of research before auditions and opportunities

• Networking without being pushy or fake

• Why social media can be useful, but should not be your only asset

• Parent-managed accounts, online professionalism and digital footprints

• Red flags around money, scams and unsafe opportunities

• Age-appropriate material for young performers

• Rejection, resilience and allowing yourself to feel disappointed

• Presenting, interviewing and the importance of listening

• Why performers need to value their time, skills, body, voice and wellbeing

A few key takeaways:

Talent matters, but it is not the only thing that builds a long, sustainable career.

Your training gives you more than performance skills - it teaches you confidence, discipline, listening, communication, quick thinking and the ability to work with other people.

Branding does not mean pretending to be something you are not. It is about understanding how people experience you, what you bring, and how clearly you communicate that.

Networking is not just handing out business cards. It can happen in audition rooms, classes, rehearsals, waiting rooms and everyday conversations.

Social media can be a helpful tool for performers, but it needs to be used thoughtfully, safely and professionally - especially when children and young performers are involved.

For parents, this episode is a reminder that your child’s creative journey is not just about bookings, auditions or “making it”. It is also about the skills, confidence, relationships and self-understanding they build along the way.

You can find Jamie on instagram & TikTok: @bodyjamie 

Podcast: The Business of Show BusinessYouTube: The Business of Show Business

TikTok: @businessofshowbusiness

Instagram: @the_business_of_show_business

You can find Lisa and The Drama Coach on socials @thedramacoach

https://linktr.ee/TheDramaCoach

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a young performer, parent or creative who might find it useful.

In this solo episode of The Drama Coach Podcast, I’m following on from my conversation with Brian Maitland, actor, professional content creator and social media coach, to talk about social media for young actors.

Whether we like it or not, social media is now part of the acting landscape. It can be useful for visibility, connection, learning, sharing work and building a creative network. But it can also become overwhelming, distracting and unhealthy if young performers start measuring their talent or worth by likes, views and followers.

This episode is about using social media with more intention. Not posting because you are panicking. Not posting because everyone else is. Not posting because you feel you need to prove something. Posting with purpose.

In this episode, I talk about:

• Why social media is a tool, not your whole acting career

• How actors can use social media professionally and safely

• What “post with purpose” really means

• Why young performers should not chase validation online

• Social media safety for children and teens

• What parents need to consider before posting about their child’s acting journey

• Why confidential audition material, scripts and set details should not be shared

• Useful content ideas for actors and young performers

• What not to post online

• Why views, likes and followers are not a measure of talent

This episode is especially useful for young actors, parents of young performers, teen performers, drama students and anyone trying to navigate acting, social media, visibility and professionalism in a healthier way.

This episode is sponsored by SceneTribe - the new network for the creative industries.

SceneTribe is a new platform for actors, performers, crew, creatives, agents and producers, built around your actual work, your credits, your collaborations and the people you’ve worked with.

Find out more at https://scenetribe.com/

Follow The Drama Coach:

Instagram: @thedramacoach TikTok: @thedramacoach YouTube: The Drama Coach Website: thedramacoach.co.uk

If this episode helps, please follow, subscribe, leave a review or share it with a young performer, parent or actor who is trying to navigate social media in a grounded, purposeful way. Thank you :)

Social media is now part of the acting landscape - but how do you use it well without losing confidence, oversharing, or putting your career at risk?

In this episode of The Drama Coach Podcast, I’m joined by Brian Maitland, an actor, professional content creator and social media coach. Brian is also part of Actors and Social Media, helping performers understand how to use social media in a more confident, professional and informed way.

This is such an important conversation for actors, young performers and parents, because online presence can feel exciting, confusing, overwhelming - and sometimes a little bit exposing. We talk about how performers can show up online in a way that feels useful and authentic, while still keeping clear boundaries around safety, privacy and professionalism.

Brian shares really practical advice on what actors should think about before posting, how social media can support a career, and where performers need to be careful. We also talk about career preservation, online behaviour, content creation and how actors can build confidence without feeling they have to become full-time influencers.

In this episode, we chat about:

Social media as part of the modern acting industry

How actors can use online platforms professionally

What young performers and parents need to consider before posting

Online safety, privacy and boundaries

Career preservation - and why your digital footprint matters

The difference between being visible and oversharing

How to create content without losing yourself

Confidence, comparison and protecting your mindset online

What performers should avoid posting

Practical tips for actors who want to use social media more intentionally

Guest links:

@brianmaitland 

Actors and Social Media: ⁠http://www.actsocmed.com⁠www.actsocmed.com

@mrmckillop

@abigailcoyy

Follow The Drama Coach:

Instagram: @thedramacoach
TikTok: @thedramacoach
YouTube: The Drama Coach
Website: www.thedramacoach.co.uk

The Drama Coach Podcast is for young performers, parents of young performers, and actors navigating training, auditions, confidence and the industry with a bit more clarity.

Sponsored by SceneTribe

This episode is sponsored by SceneTribe - a growing creative community helping performers, creatives and industry professionals connect, collaborate and be seen.

Find out more and create your profile at: www.scenetribe.com

In this solo episode of The Drama Coach Podcast, I’m following on from my conversation with Ethan and Katie, who are studying Drama, Theatre and Performance at the University of Lincoln, to talk about something I think a lot of young performers need to hear: Drama school isn’t the only door.

This is not an anti-drama-school episode. Drama school can be brilliant for the right person, at the right time, on the right course. But it is not the only valid route into acting, theatre, performance or the creative industries.

For young performers, the pressure to find “the route” can feel huge. Drama school auditions, recalls, rejections, university choices, gap years, training options and comparison can all become overwhelming. This episode is here to offer a calmer, more honest perspective.

In this episode, I talk about:

• Why there is no single perfect route into acting

• The pressure young performers can feel around drama school

• Why not getting into drama school does not mean you are not talented

• How “not yet” is different from “never”

• Why university drama can be a brilliant and valid option

• The value of making work, devising, writing, directing and collaborating

• Why actors need life experience, curiosity and resilience

• How to make any route active, not passive

• The comparison trap for young performers and parents

• Why the route matters less than what you do with it

This episode is especially useful for older teens, parents of young performers, drama students, university applicants, drama school applicants, gap year students and anyone feeling unsure, disappointed or behind in their acting journey.

This episode is sponsored by SceneTribe - the new network for the creative industries.

SceneTribe is built around your credits, your collaborations and the work you’ve actually done, helping performers, crew, creatives, agents and producers build profiles and discover opportunities through real creative connections.

https://scenetribe.com/

Follow The Drama Coach:

Instagram: @thedramacoach TikTok: @thedramacoach YouTube: The Drama Coach Website: thedramacoach.co.uk

If this episode helped you breathe a little bit, please share it with a young performer or parent who needs to hear that there is more than one door.

In this episode of The Drama Coach Podcast, I’m joined by Katie and Ethan, who are both studying Drama, Theatre and Performance at the University of Lincoln.

This is a really honest conversation about what drama at university is actually like - from choosing a course, moving away from home and making friends, to dealing with pressure, comparison, rejection and the big question of whether drama school is the only “serious” route into the industry.

Katie and Ethan speak brilliantly about finding a course that felt right for them, why university drama can offer a broader experience, and how studying drama can build confidence, communication skills, independence and resilience - whether you go on to act professionally or take those skills into another path.

We talk about:

• Why Katie and Ethan chose university drama instead of drama school

• Whether drama school is still seen as “the route”

• The pressure young performers can feel when choosing their next step

• What their course actually involves day to day

• Screen acting, Shakespeare, devised work and performance modules

• Moving away from home and growing in independence

• Making friends and building a support system at university

• Rejection, comparison and staying resilient

• Why there is no single path into acting

• Side jobs, finances and staying realistic

• Advice for teens considering drama at university

• Advice for parents supporting those big decisions

This episode is especially useful for teen performers, young actors, parents of young performers, and anyone wondering whether drama at university can be a valuable and meaningful route.

As always, this is about building confidence, understanding and realistic expectations - whether you’re a young performer or a parent supporting one.

Guest Links / Follow

University of Lincoln - Drama, Theatre and Performance: https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/course/drathfub/

Ethan TikTok: @et.armour

Follow The Drama Coach Podcast for honest conversations about acting, auditions, training, confidence and the industry - for young performers and the people supporting them.

The Drama Coach: https://www.thedramacoach.co.uk

Instagram / TikTok / YouTube: @TheDramaCoach

Music: Soft Music 495878 by nastelbom, Pixabay.