The Best Casting Workshops for Actors in the UK
If you're an actor in the UK looking to get noticed, meet top casting directors, and build your industry network without breaking the bank, then casting workshops are an essential part of your journey. In particular, Just Add Milk (JAM) has made a name for itself as the most successful and affordable company for casting workshops in the UK.
Here's everything you need to know, from how casting workshops work to how JAM stands out in a competitive industry.
Originally published: 14 April 2025
Last updated: 22 September 2026
What is a Casting Workshop?
A casting workshop is a live, interactive session where actors work directly with casting professionals. The goal is to practice audition techniques, perform scenes or monologues, and receive direct feedback from those who make casting decisions.
Unlike traditional acting classes, these workshops are highly focused on the casting process - how to walk into a room, nail your self-tape, make bold choices, and leave a lasting impression.
Just Add Milk (JAM) takes this a step further by ensuring all their workshops are run by active, working casting directors from theatre, film, and television. These aren't just theoretical sessions—they're opportunities to be seen and remembered.
View Upcoming Casting Workshops
A JAM workshop in progress. Photography by Melanie Gail.
Where Are Casting Workshops in London?
London is home to a wide range of casting workshops, acting classes and industry events, so it is worth looking carefully at exactly what each session offers.
Just Add Milk (JAM) runs regular casting workshops in London and online, giving actors the opportunity to work directly with active casting professionals in a practical and supportive environment.
JAM usually runs multiple workshops each week, including sessions with casting directors, casting associates and agents working across television, film and theatre. In-person workshops take place at accessible Central London venues, including the Old Diorama Arts Centre, while online sessions allow actors to take part from anywhere in the UK.
JAM deliberately focuses on smaller groups and practical participation rather than large-scale seminars. Depending on the workshop, actors may work on prepared scenes, receive redirection, ask questions about the casting process and receive individual feedback.
Actors can also choose from agent workshops, masterclasses, casting intensives and special events throughout the year.
JAM is also a charity. Income generated through its workshops helps support JAM's wider charitable work, including the Luke Westlake Scholarship, which supports emerging actors at the beginning of their professional careers.
Looking for upcoming sessions? View JAM's current casting workshops and availability.
What Is a Casting Workshop?
A casting workshop is an interactive session in which actors work directly with a casting professional to develop their understanding of the audition and casting process.
Unlike a general acting class, a casting workshop normally focuses specifically on the skills actors use when auditioning for professional work. This might include performing a scene, responding to direction, approaching a self-tape, making strong choices quickly or understanding what happens behind the scenes during casting.
The exact format varies depending on the guest and workshop. At JAM, sessions are designed to give actors meaningful time with the visiting industry professional rather than simply listening to a lecture.
A typical workshop may include:
An introduction and discussion with the casting professional.
A Q&A about their work and the wider casting process.
Practical scene or audition work.
Redirection and the opportunity to try material again.
Individual feedback and observations.
Advice actors can take into future auditions and self-tapes.
A casting workshop is not an audition and cannot guarantee professional work. Its value comes from the opportunity to practise, learn and better understand how casting professionals approach their jobs.
How Do Casting Workshops Work?
Every casting professional works differently, which is one of the reasons workshops can be useful for actors.
Before a JAM workshop, actors will usually receive information explaining what they need to prepare. Depending on the session, this could include a scene, monologue, self-tape or other material chosen specifically for the workshop.
The session will normally begin with an introduction from the guest, followed by a discussion about their career, current work and approach to casting.
Actors then work practically.
You may be asked to perform a prepared scene before receiving notes or redirection. The casting professional may ask you to change the pace, intention, relationship or circumstances of the scene and then perform it again.
This process is particularly valuable because professional auditions often require actors to make adjustments quickly.
The objective is not to give a perfect performance. It is to explore how you work, how you respond to direction and how different choices can affect a scene.
Most JAM workshops also include time for questions, allowing actors to ask about areas such as:
Self-tapes.
Spotlight profiles.
Headshots.
Showreels.
Approaching auditions.
Working with agents.
Casting processes.
Theatre versus screen auditions.
Common mistakes actors make.
How casting teams shortlist performers.
Because the format is practical, actors leave with information they can apply to future auditions rather than simply general industry advice.
What Happens at a Casting Director Workshop?
A casting director workshop focuses particularly on how actors approach the professional casting process.
The session will usually combine conversation and practical work.
The casting director or casting associate may begin by explaining how their casting office operates, how projects arrive, how breakdowns are created and how actors are selected for auditions.
Actors then have the opportunity to work on material.
One of the most useful parts of this process is redirection. Rather than simply being told whether something worked, an actor may be given a different note and asked to perform the scene again.
This can help develop one of the most important audition skills: being able to listen to a note, understand it quickly and make a clear adjustment without losing confidence in your original choices.
JAM aims to create an environment where actors can experiment and ask questions without feeling that the workshop itself is an audition.
Are Casting Workshops Worth It for Actors?
Casting workshops can be valuable when they are treated as a form of professional development rather than a shortcut to employment.
Actors can use workshops to better understand the casting process, practise audition technique and receive feedback from people actively working within the industry.
They can be particularly useful for actors who want to:
Build confidence in audition situations.
Improve their self-tape technique.
Practise taking redirection.
Understand how casting offices work.
Ask questions directly to industry professionals.
Gain a better understanding of what happens after an audition.
Continue developing between professional auditions.
Workshops can also expose actors to different approaches.
There is no single way to audition successfully, and different casting directors may have completely different preferences. Hearing several perspectives over time can help an actor develop their own process rather than searching for one universal set of rules.
However, actors should be cautious of any workshop that promises auditions, representation or employment simply in return for attending.
At JAM, workshops are designed around education, development and access to industry knowledge. They are not sold as guaranteed routes to professional work.
How Much Do Casting Workshops Cost in London?
The price of casting workshops in London varies considerably depending on the provider, guest, length of the session and number of actors attending.
Some workshops are short Q&A sessions, while others are longer practical classes or multi-session intensives, so comparing price alone does not always give an accurate indication of value.
When comparing workshops, actors should consider:
How long the session lasts.
How many actors are taking part.
Whether every actor works practically.
Who is leading the workshop.
Whether individual feedback is included.
Whether the guest is currently working professionally.
Whether the format and preparation requirements are clearly explained.
As a charity, JAM aims to keep professional development opportunities accessible to actors while ensuring workshop guests are properly paid for their time and expertise.
Prices therefore vary between standard casting workshops, agent sessions, masterclasses and longer intensives.
Current prices and availability can always be found in the JAM Workshop Store.
Casting Workshops Near Me
If you are searching for casting workshops near me, your best option will depend on where you live and whether you prefer to work in person or online.
JAM runs regular Central London casting workshops, making them accessible to actors based across London and the South East as well as performers travelling into the capital.
Actors who cannot easily travel to London can also join selected JAM workshops online.
This means actors throughout the UK can access sessions with casting professionals without the additional cost of travelling to London.
Over the years, JAM workshops and events have welcomed industry professionals working across major television, film and theatre productions.
JAM also produces larger special events, including The Big JAM Event, where actors can take part in multiple sessions and hear directly from several industry professionals in one event.
Previous keynote guests have included casting professionals such as Sophie Holland and Faye Timby-Taylor, giving actors the opportunity to hear about their careers, approaches to casting and experiences working across the industry.
London vs Online Casting Workshops
Both online and in-person workshops can be useful, but they offer slightly different experiences.
An in-person casting workshop provides the experience of entering a room, working physically with another actor and responding to direction face-to-face.
Online workshops can be particularly useful for developing the skills required for self-tapes and remote auditions, which are now an established part of professional casting.
Neither format is automatically better.
Actors may find that using a combination of the two gives them experience across the different ways they are likely to encounter professional casting.
JAM runs both London and online casting workshops, with the format clearly explained before booking.
Can Beginner Actors Attend Casting Workshops?
Yes. Many casting workshops can be useful for actors who are still at the beginning of their professional development.
You do not need to have a long list of professional credits to benefit from understanding how auditions and casting offices work.
For newer actors, a workshop can help remove some of the mystery surrounding the casting process.
It can also provide an opportunity to practise performing material in front of somebody they have not worked with before.
However, actors should always read the description before booking. Some advanced workshops or intensives may be designed for performers with more professional or vocational training experience.
JAM aims to make the required level clear on individual workshop listings so actors can choose a session that is appropriate for them.
How Should I Prepare for a Casting Workshop?
Preparation will depend on the individual workshop, but there are several things actors can do to get more from the experience.
Read your material properly
If you have been given a scene in advance, understand the circumstances, relationships and objectives rather than simply learning the words.
Make choices
Casting professionals generally want to see an actor bring something to the material.
You do not need to guess the "correct" performance. Make a clear choice and remain open to changing it.
Be ready for redirection
Being asked to try something differently does not mean your original performance was wrong.
The ability to take a note and explore another version of a scene is an important professional skill.
Bring questions
Workshops provide an unusual opportunity to ask casting professionals questions directly.
Think beforehand about areas of the industry you genuinely want to understand.
Treat the workshop as development
A workshop should not feel like an extended job interview.
Use the opportunity to experiment, make mistakes and learn.
Be professional
Arrive on time, prepare the requested material and respect the other actors taking part.
Professionalism matters just as much in a workshop environment as it does in an audition room.
How Do You Stand Out to a Casting Director?
There is no guaranteed technique for making a casting director remember you, and trying too hard to "stand out" can sometimes distract from the work itself.
A more useful goal is to make clear acting choices, be prepared and demonstrate that you can respond to direction.
Some of the areas actors can develop through casting workshops include:
Preparation: Knowing your material allows you to spend less time thinking about lines and more time responding truthfully within the scene.
Strong choices: Casting professionals need to see what you bring to a role. Making a clear choice gives them something meaningful to respond to.
Listening: Acting is not simply about delivering dialogue. Listening to the other performer and responding to what is happening in the scene is equally important.
Redirection: Being able to make an adjustment after receiving a note demonstrates flexibility and understanding.
Professional awareness: Q&A sections within JAM workshops can help actors better understand self-tapes, Spotlight profiles, headshots, showreels and the realities of professional casting.
Consistency: Professional development happens over time. Regularly practising audition technique can help actors become more comfortable when real opportunities arise.
The aim should not be to manufacture a memorable personality for the room. Strong preparation, openness and good acting give casting professionals the clearest picture of what you can do.
How Do I Choose a Reputable Casting Workshop?
Actors should always research a workshop before booking.
Start by checking who is leading the session.
A reputable provider should clearly identify the casting professional, agent or practitioner involved and give enough information for actors to understand their professional background.
You should also be able to understand exactly what you are paying for.
Look for information about the workshop format, length, location, preparation requirements and whether the session includes practical work.
Actors should be cautious of providers making unrealistic promises.
Attending a workshop should never be presented as a guarantee of representation, auditions or employment.
It is also worth looking at the organisation behind the workshop.
JAM operates as a charity, with a wider purpose beyond selling classes. Revenue from JAM's activities helps support its charitable work and the Luke Westlake Scholarship, created in memory of actor and JAM co-founder Luke Westlake.
The scholarship supports emerging actors and forms an important part of JAM's wider mission to make opportunities and professional development more accessible.
JAM also publishes policies including its Code of Conduct and Safeguarding guidance, helping actors understand the standards expected within its workshops and events.
What We've Learned From Running Casting Workshops Since 2018
JAM has been running workshops and actor-development opportunities since 2018, and one of the clearest lessons from that experience is that there is no secret formula for succeeding in an audition.
Casting professionals have different approaches, preferences and working methods.
One casting director may encourage actors to make extremely bold choices. Another may emphasise simplicity. Some may focus heavily on preparation, while others want to see how quickly an actor can respond to a completely new direction.
That is precisely why working with different professionals can be useful.
The objective is not to collect rules.
It is to understand the process well enough that you can enter an audition, make your own choices and adapt when necessary.
We have also seen how valuable it can be for actors simply to hear what happens on the other side of the casting process.
Understanding how many submissions a casting team receives, why certain actors are shortlisted and how creative decisions are made can make auditions feel considerably less mysterious.
Most importantly, a workshop should leave an actor with something useful to take away.
That might be a practical adjustment to their self-tape process, a better understanding of their Spotlight profile, increased confidence taking direction or simply a clearer picture of how the industry works.
What Can Actors Learn From Casting Professionals?
Although every guest has their own approach, several themes regularly arise when casting professionals discuss auditions.
Preparation gives you freedom.
Knowing the material properly allows you to respond to what is happening rather than concentrating on remembering the next line.
There is rarely one correct interpretation.
Casting teams are interested in what an individual actor brings to the material.
Redirection is part of the process.
A note is usually an invitation to explore another possibility rather than evidence that the original performance failed.
Your materials matter.
Headshots, Spotlight profiles, credits and showreels should give casting teams an accurate and professional representation of you.
Self-tapes should serve the acting.
Good lighting, clear sound and appropriate framing matter, but elaborate production should not overwhelm the performance.
Not getting a role does not automatically mean you gave a bad audition.
Casting decisions can depend on numerous factors beyond performance, including age, chemistry, scheduling, appearance, creative direction and how an ensemble fits together.
Workshops can help actors see the casting process from a wider perspective and concentrate on the things they can actually control.
Supporting Actors Through the JAM Charity
Casting workshops form only one part of Just Add Milk.
JAM was created to support actors and emerging creatives through accessible professional development, industry opportunities and charitable projects.
Income generated through workshops helps JAM continue that work.
A central part of the charity is the Luke Westlake Scholarship, established in memory of JAM co-founder Luke Westlake.
The scholarship supports emerging actors as they begin their professional careers, providing opportunities, industry support and practical assistance designed to help remove some of the financial barriers facing performers entering the industry.
Previous scholarship recipients have gone on to work professionally across major television and screen projects.
For actors booking a JAM workshop, that means the money spent on professional development also contributes to a wider organisation supporting the next generation of performers.
| Question | Short Answer |
|---|---|
| Are casting workshops auditions? | No. They should be treated as training and professional development rather than auditions for specific roles. |
| Can beginner actors attend? | Often, yes. Always check the individual workshop level before booking. |
| Do I need Spotlight? | Not necessarily. Requirements differ depending on the workshop. |
| Are online casting workshops useful? | Yes, particularly for developing self-tape and remote audition skills. |
| Will attending guarantee auditions? | No. Reputable workshops should never guarantee auditions, representation or employment. |
| Where does JAM run workshops? | JAM runs regular workshops in Central London alongside selected online sessions. |
Final Thoughts
Casting workshops can be a valuable way for actors to practise audition technique, learn how professional casting works and receive direct feedback from people working within the industry.
The most useful workshops are those that provide clear information, genuine practical participation and realistic expectations.
At Just Add Milk, the aim is to combine professional industry access with an affordable and supportive learning environment.
As a charity, JAM also has a wider purpose. Income from workshops contributes to its work supporting actors and helps fund initiatives including the Luke Westlake Scholarship.
Whether you are preparing for your first professional audition or have been working in the industry for several years, there is always more to learn about how casting works.
Explore JAM's casting workshops in London and online, or view upcoming workshop dates and book online.
Recent work ➔ IMDB
Workshop Details:
Wed 25 Nov, 6:30-9:30pm on Zoom.
Workshop layout
This is a 1-to-1 workshop and you will given a time slot to join.
You will perform your duologue with one of our readers and receive feedback and redirection from Chloe.
After you have performed and received feedback your slot you will be invited to ask any questions - time permitting.
Workshop preparation
You will receive the sides, a time slot and information 4 days before the workshop. If you have any issues, please email us here.
Actors are permitted to stay online for the duration of the 3hr workshop to watch and observe. Please let us know ahead of the workshop if you would like to.
When waiting for your workshop information, always check what email address you originally booked with and check your spam/junk folder.
Over 18’s only.
Please read our FAQs and Refund Policy before purchasing a space on our workshop.