New online casting directory created for actor-musicians

An online directory of actor-musicians has been created to assist theatre companies and casting directors when searching for specialist talent, and showcase multi-skilled performers working in the UK.

ActorMusicianUK launched this week, listing performers with detailed breakdowns of their skills and ability, which can be filtered to help people casting actor-musician roles and shows.

It has been created by London-based composer and lyricist Darren Clark, whose shows include The Wicker Husband and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

Clark said the sites aims to pool actor-musician talent and ensure that performers with specific skills for these shows do not get overlooked.

Actors can list their biography, details of the instruments they play and a range of information about their musical abilities, as well as a link to their Spotlight page, personal website or social media accounts.

Clark also hopes the site will offer actors the opportunity to explain the kinds of shows they are interested in and their approach to performing.

"I wanted to make it a little bit more personal. Creating shows is so collaborative, but especially in the actor-musician world because you often build shows with the cast involved rather than have them come in and play an existing part," he told The Stage.

Clark added that he did not want the site to replace Spotlight but to exist alongside it as a way of catering for the specific demands of an actor-musician show.

More than 300 performers have already registered to be listed on the site, which is free to use for everyone.

See the ActorMusicianUK website for further details