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THE TALENT SHACK

We are a Cardiff based company specialising in training in the performing arts. We offer a full timetable of training in Acting and Musical Theatre and other classes that can prepare you for the Industry.

The Team

Our Classes

Past Productions

The Talent Shack CIC (Community Interest Company) is a not for profit organisation providing opportunities for young people within the community to connect with the performing arts.
The space is available to hire for rehearsals, classes, meetings, parties and more.

Our aims are:

    • To bring quality, structured performing arts classes and strong production values to local young people in an inclusive way
    • To widen the accessibility and experience of the Arts through performance and play
    • To provide a valuable creative learning space for the community within a social and inclusive environment, in person and online.
    • To target services to deprived communities within Cardiff and South Wales and communities who don’t find it easy to access quality drama provision – such as children with learning disabilities.

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The Talent Shack

4 days ago

The Talent Shack
Enjoying the sun before it gets too hot!!It’s our second Encanto week and I think we’re all very happy that the Shack is always much cooler inside than outside!! Photo of our dance teacher Ruby teaching a ‘maypole’ moment in her choreography! ... See MoreSee Less

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The Talent Shack

6 days ago

The Talent Shack
Once you’ve filmed the self tape you need to be able to share it. This may be with your agent or the casting director who invited you to audition.The file will be too big to email so you need to use a large file sharing website like We Transfer. Use the website rather than the app, it just works much better! You just need the free version of We Transfer. It’s a good idea to reduce the file size so you’re not sending a HUGE tape. There’s an app called Handbrake you can download to your computer to reduce file size. Casting Directors will thank you for it! Finally, try and get into the habit of labelling your tape with actors name / character / agent. ... See MoreSee Less

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The Talent Shack

7 days ago

The Talent Shack
Teens! Start the new academic year with a show! Chicago Teen is all the best bits of Chicago just adapted to make it age appropriate. We’ll support that ethos with suitable costumes that fit Bob Fosse’s original vision for the show which we’ll go into more detail about in a video coming soon! Musical Theatre Seniors 2 meet on a Monday 5.30-8pm at The Talent Shack on Penarth Road.We have a brand new team heading up this production who we will be introducing next week! ... See MoreSee Less

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The Talent Shack

7 days ago

The Talent Shack
‘Sides’ is the name given to pages of a script sent out to an actor for an audition. Or on the day of filming you may hear actors asking for their sides meaning the scenes shooting that day (maybe they haven’t learnt their lines!)Sides are sometimes written just for the audition if the script isn’t ready or under tight NDA (non-disclosure) regulations.Our advice would always be to learn the lines so you do not need the script but if you find yourself not quite ‘off book’ by the time of the audition or self tape then have that script in your hand so you can glance down and not disrupt your flow. The sides hold all the detail you need to make character decisions to show the director or team auditioning you. Use your imagination and be bold.Know your lines well enough but not so well you’re stuck in a way of saying them. Be ready to listen to the director and take direction, showing them how versatile and responsive you can be.As a parent you can help your child by reading the script with them, giving them time and space to focus, help them with meaning or long words. But don’t tell them how to say the lines. Help them with meaning not delivery. ... See MoreSee Less

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The Talent Shack

1 week ago

The Talent Shack
Our very own Lily Manning is performing with the English Youth Ballet this month!Break a leg Lilly, we’re all very proud! ... See MoreSee Less

Vale dancers join professional ballet company

glamorganstar.co.uk

Three young dancers from the Vale will be joining international professional dancers in the English Youth Ballet’s Cinderella in Hollywood at the New Theatre, Cardiff.
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the_talentshack

Home of Performing Arts training in Cardiff. Join us in September 2022 for our biggest year yet!

The Talent Shack
Teens! Start the new academic year with a show! Teens! Start the new academic year with a show! Chicago Teen is all the best bits of Chicago just adapted to make it age appropriate. We’ll support that ethos with suitable costumes that fit Bob Fosse’s original vision for the show which we’ll go into more detail about in a video coming soon! Musical Theatre Seniors 2 meet on a Monday 5.30-8pm at The Talent Shack on Penarth Road. We have a brand new team heading up this production who we will be introducing next week!
‘Sides’ is the name given to pages of a script ‘Sides’ is the name given to pages of a script sent out to an actor for an audition. Or on the day of filming you may hear actors asking for their sides meaning the scenes shooting that day (maybe they haven’t learnt their lines!) Sides are sometimes written just for the audition if the script isn’t ready or under tight NDA (non-disclosure) regulations. Our advice would always be to learn the lines so you do not need the script but if you find yourself not quite ‘off book’ by the time of the audition or self tape then have that script in your hand so you can glance down and not disrupt your flow. The sides hold all the detail you need to make character decisions to show the director or team auditioning you. Use your imagination and be bold. Know your lines well enough but not so well you’re stuck in a way of saying them. Be ready to listen to the director and take direction, showing them how versatile and responsive you can be. As a parent you can help your child by reading the script with them, giving them time and space to focus, help them with meaning or long words. But don’t tell them how to say the lines. Help them with meaning not delivery.
Keep your enquiries coming in! This is the time to Keep your enquiries coming in! This is the time to join us. New teaching team, new week night time slot, huge new musical! Looking for a cast of teens 13-18 who are enthusiastic about performing You can contact us via the website, socials or email / phone. Check poster for details
An ident or slate is a ‘to the camera’ introdu An ident or slate is a ‘to the camera’ introduction before you do your audition scene (or sides). This happens in an in person audition and a self tape. You’ll often get clear instructions as to what they want in the ident so follow those every time. If there’s no specific guide but they still want one you can’t go wrong saying your name, agent and location to camera. For commercials and some TV you’ll be asked for ‘profiles’ this means you’re facing the camera in a mid shot and you turn 180 degrees to show… your profile! Turn to each side and then hold your hands up, palms open next to your face and show both sides so they can see your nails and condition of your skin. Sometimes they’ll want some of the following stated in an ident: height, availability for certain dates, skills, experience in a particular field and this can be delivered in an open, relaxed, chatty manner so they get to know the actor a bit more. 
A whole load of colour in this weeks Encanto Summe A whole load of colour in this weeks Encanto Summer School! Week 1 ✅ Week 2 ✅ Bring on Week 3 🙋🏻‍♀️
You can look into the camera lens when you’re in You can look into the camera lens when you’re introducing yourself (your ident) as that’s the ’hi, this is me’ moment where you are yourself and looking straight at those auditioning you, as it were. But when you film your scene and you are acting with your scene partner (off screen) then you are not aware of the camera and you do not break that fourth wall! Unless directed to do so. And that’s the case with all advice. There are principles and basics to follow but if the director asks you to do something in a particular way then follow their direction over anything else. If you are taping for your child pay careful attention to their eye line. If they flick their eyes to the camera give it another go. Try to get them to focus on the reality of the scene and not that they are being filmed!
Our Musical Theatre Seniors 2 took a break after C Our Musical Theatre Seniors 2 took a break after Camp Rock - it was exam season and it also gave us time to plan the groups next move! And now we’re back!! New time - from September we meet on Mondays 5.30-8pm New team - there’s new developments and exciting news coming soon! And a brand new huge show - Chicago Teen!! Check website for booking details
I could write many posts about self tapes, there's I could write many posts about self tapes, there's so much to say. But this is a brief introduction. A self tape is an audition you do at home and send in to your agent who then passes it on to the Casting Director. There are basic rules you must follow before you even think about the acting - Film in landscape and steady the camera with a tripod or improvise with a shelf and a stack of books (for eg) Use good, even, preferably natural lighting so you dont have stark shadows or the face isnt washed out. Avoid ring lights that give you that ring effect in your eyes. You dont need an external mic, an iPhone is fine. But make sure your environment is quiet. Have someone read the other lines in, off camera. Look at the reader for the scene, not into the camera. You can look into the camera when you introduce yourself at the beginning but not when you are acting. If you do, go again. Place the reader just to the side of the camera so you can look at them and the camera still sees your whole face. You dont want to be in profile. Learn the lines so you dont look down at the script. You want the viewer to be connecting with you and you do that by keeping your eyes up and reacting to your scene partner, the reader. The minute you look down at lines you break character and focus for yourself and your audience. And to keep this brief, finally, give them choices, play the part. Its not a reading exercise - they want to see your acting skills. Whether you are 7 or 17 or 47 you are auditioning so show them what you bring to the part and how you would act if you book the job. So give them your work. What to do with the tape once you film it I will save for another post!
We got shows planned for 2023!! If you’re looki We got shows planned for 2023!! If you’re looking for a drama or Musical Theatre class to join we are based on Penarth Road in Cardiff, pretty central for the Vale of Glamorgan or Cardiff dwellers alike!
If you're following along, we're doing daily posts If you're following along, we're doing daily posts to help parents of child actors navigate the Industry. Today we're thinking about credits on your childs CV. Let me preface this by saying these are just my thoughts and opinions. Other professionals may feel differently and please dont take my word as the law. My opinions come from working in this Industry as an Agent and acting teacher for the last 12 years and an actress for 10 years through my 20's and before that as a child actor. But I am just one voice so please listen to many and make up your own opinions. I hope this is a good starting point! Child actors aren't expected to have professional credits from the off! Its better to not have many, or any at all, than to list every school show and gang show they've done. Remember for the professional Industry being in the chorus for your local panto is not a credit. It can be empowering, great fun, a life experience your child will never forget. But its not needed on their Spotlight profile. If they've played Annie, or Bugsy, or Oliver then fair enough that says a lot about them and where they're at so add it as a credit. But don't list 10 musicals they've done locally. This can put Casting Directors off, who may think they'll be 'affected' and a bit too 'jazz hands' for a raw TV drama. A good bottom line is to pitch your CV to the work you want to get. Hope that helps! Shelley
We're updating the website with new photos and as We're updating the website with new photos and as we look back over the last year or so you realise how easy it is to forget how much we've all achieved! We're always onto the next thing and looking forward - its good to stop sometimes and look back. Since lock down our two Seniors groups have smashed through 13, In the Heights, The Greatest Showman, Camp Rock and Footloose. Footloose being the biggest show yet! Next year the Senior productions are Bring it On (Saturdays) and Chicago Teen (Mondays) - both huge shows. If you want to be part of The Talent Shack we have space in the following groups Musical Theatre Seniors 2 (Monday 5.30) - Chicago Youth Theatre 1 (Wendesday 5pm) - Devised Youth Theatre 2 (Wednesday 6.30) - Lord of the Flies Acting LAMDA (Thursday 5pm) - Grades in Acting Solo Acting Performance (Thursday 6.30) - Daisy Pulls it Off Musical Theatre (Friday 5.30) - Showcase
Making stuff for Encanto! As well as singing and d Making stuff for Encanto! As well as singing and dancing this morning we’ve made flowers, headdresses, decorated the set and just laughed and made mess!! It’s what summer school is all about! 🌸🌺🪷😊💜💞
Chicago Teen Edition is not exactly the same as th Chicago Teen Edition is not exactly the same as the full length show. The great story is the same: In roaring twenties Chicago, chorine Roxie Hart murders a faithless lover and convinces her hapless husband, Amos, to take the rap... until he finds out he's been duped and turns on Roxie. Convicted and sent to death row, Roxie and another "Merry Murderess," Velma Kelly, vie for the spotlight and the headlines, ultimately joining forces in search of the "American Dream": fame, fortune, and acquittal. Changes made for the Teen Edition: (1) Removal of adult language and overtly sexual references. (2) Removal of "Class" and "A Bit of Good" (3) Transposed keys to better accommodate teen voices There’s a misconception that the cast wear revealing / sexy costumes. The original production was performed in the rehearsal gear that Bob Fosse’s cast wore - blacks that showed form (key for Fosse choreography) Our production will suggest the period the show is set in (the 20’s) and also Fosse style rehearsal gear. To be in the show drop us a message here or Hello@thetalentshack.co.uk 07886 020923 Or visit the website www.thetalentshack.co.uk/musical-theatre-seniors
Traditionally a showreel is a short tape of the TV Traditionally a showreel is a short tape of the TV and film work you have done, showing you off to Casting Directors. For g raduates its become scenes you've filmed in drama school, or a taped monologue filmed simply with good lighting. It can be raw as long as its good quality in terms of sound and lighting. It also needs to show you off! As a child you dont necessarily need showreel material but theres no harm in filming a monologue or two and keeping them just in case. An agent is often asked if an actor has any showreel material they can see. Showreel can show how you move on camera, what your face does, how you sound. It can open the door a little more than a still photo. BUT as a child, who hasn't trained, its important you are natural, real and not putting on a performance. You wouldn't include theatre performances in your showreel. Its strictly for screen work. Always check with your agent regarding the quality of the material you have before uploading to your Spotlight profile. They know what Casting Directors are looking for and can guide you. Hope thats helpful! Comment below if you have anything particular you'd like us to address in these posts over the summer.
Musical Theatre Seniors 2 start rehearsing CHICAGO Musical Theatre Seniors 2 start rehearsing CHICAGO TEEN in September and we are looking for cast!! TEEN CAST - ALL LEAD ROLES UP FOR GRABS. STRONG CHARACTERS, BIG DANCE NUMBERS, INCREDIBLE SONGS This show has everything. Its super stylish and sassy and great for a teen cast of boys, girls and non binary. Auditions will take place in the first few weeks of term and booking is open now! You can book / register interest via the website https://thetalentshack.co.uk/musical-theatre-seniors/ You can ask questions / find out more by emailing hello@thetalentshack.co.uk or text / call Shelley on 07886 020923
All actors, even child actors, need a CV. You may All actors, even child actors, need a CV. You may not have credits yet but you’ve got skills. When you create a Spotlight profile you are asked to enter your skills. Always be truthful. Don’t exaggerate and never lie! Those skills are searchable key words that Casting Directors will use to find the right actor for a role. And it’s not just singing and dancing skills. In fact you probably won’t be cast for your Musical Theatre skills until you are a trained professional (unless you are lucky enough, short enough, old enough, skilled enough to be cast in Matilda!) Much more likely to be called upon when your skillset includes: Swimming Cycling Football Martial Arts Horse riding Playing an instrument above grade 3 at least Fluent in other languages including BSL If your child can do accents make sure it’s not just the odd phrase and they can confidently and accurately hold conversations in that accent. For you to put an accent down as a skill they need to sound natural and convincing. Don’t just trust your ear, ask their agent or drama teacher what they think. And make sure they are being honest and not just kind. Any skill you put down they need to be able to perform that skill in front of strangers with no prep or little warning. If they can’t do it confidently don’t put it down until they can. The best skills come from the hobbies they enjoy and keep up and want to do for themselves.
Some core members of our Musical Theatre Juniors 2 Some core members of our Musical Theatre Juniors 2 group sang songs, from shows they’ve done this year, at Cardiff Councils Summer of Smiles this weekend. These photos capture the hard work and character they put in to performing!
When there’s a young performer in the family eve When there’s a young performer in the family everyone needs to be ready! Ready for short notice trips to London; turning the living room into a self tape studio; taking annual leave to chaperone and sorting out child care for your other children so you can ferry said performer to auditions, recalls, meetings and shoots. This is a business so they don’t wait or go another day because of birthday parties or leavers dos or because next week is better for you. If your child can’t get there, someone else’s will and the job will go to someone who can drop everything and audition …. Or actually it may well go to the directors friends child… but you can’t dwell on that too much or we’ll all go mad! It’s a good idea to speak to the school when your child joins an agency and you can gauge how willing they will be to sign off on licenses and allow time off for auditions. If you don’t have a supportive school it can make being a child actor very difficult.
Cardiff Council #summeroffun2022 Thank you for i Cardiff Council #summeroffun2022 Thank you for inviting us to perform today!
Headshots for child actors. I've tried to focus o Headshots for child actors. I've tried to focus on some key points to help you get some great shots for Spotlight (see yesterdays post) A good headshot is not the same as a good portrait photo you'd put on your mantelpiece of your child. The photograph should be taken by a professional headshot photographer who works with actors. A good headshot is clear, showing all their face and not too posed. Hair should be worn as they usually wear it. Children shouldn't have any make up on. You want a nice selection of shots comprising of smiley, serious, outdoors and indoors. Bringing out their character, personality, style. In terms of outfit, the photo is only really going to show your top and the collar will be quite in focus and framing the face. Wear a top with no logos or strong patterns. The focus should be on the face. You also dont want to wear overly fashionable clothes or anything that will date the photo too much. I'd avoid hoodies and sports style tops. Your child may be cast as a Victorian orphan or a Second World War refugee, or a boarding school pupil. You can wear a colour that brings out your eyes or skin tone, or hair colour. Think complimentary colours. On the day: Take a change of clothes, most photographers allow one or two changes within a shoot. Take a hair brush to deal with those flyaways. Parents, let the photographer lead the shoot and you can just sit back and relax. Your child will be fine and the photographer will know how to help them create good images. You don't have to pay £100's, but you should go to a reputable photographer. Have a look at their portfolio to make sure they are experienced at photographing child actors. And finally, drink plenty of water in the days leading up to the shoot and have a good nights sleep the night before!
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Contact Details: The Talent Shack, Unit 17, Freemans Parc, Penarth Road, CF11 8EQ Tel: 07886 020923 Email: hello@thetalentshack.co.uk

The Talent Shack | Drama School and Community Space in Cardiff