Casting and Audition Venues for Hire in London

Your Guide to Hiring Casting and Audition Venues in London

When casting the next big thing, you’ll probably need to accommodate hundreds of people, but if you’re familiar with your market and are only expecting a few dozen auditioners, then a local music rehearsal room or casting suite might be ideal. If you don’t hire a traditional auditorium with a separate backstage area, make sure to allocate a space where performers will wait their turn and a private area with tables and chairs where you and your associates can confer.

Another thing to consider is the type of people or acts you expect to attend your casting. This will matter greatly for the type of casting and audition venues you plan to hire! A small casting room with a designated waiting area will be more than enough for solo acting auditions, but for bold artistic performances with large crews or bands, a big stage is what you’re after. Spacious creative spaces and warehouses can also work pretty well. If you’re casting for a photo shoot model, something like a photo or recording studio would be a good fit for your audition.

Top 7 tips for holding your first audition

Take a look at our list of things you need to remember before holding your first audition:

• Pick your criteria. Think about what you want to achieve with your audition. What’s the role you need to fill? Do you have any requirements for the potential candidates? What kind of person would be the best fit for your team? Write them down for you and the other judges so that all of you are on the same page about the person you’re looking for.
• Start looking for potential audition spaces early - you have to make sure your venue is hired and ready to go before you put out your casting call. Depending on the purpose of the audition and the potential number of people attending, pretty much any space could be repurposed for a casting or audition.
• Plan the audition. Now that you have a rough idea of how many people you can accommodate during your audition, it’s time to think of the specifics. First, you have to choose how you will handle the audition. You can pick between a set audition and an open audition. The main difference between the two is that everyone is free to come to an open audition, whereas you will have to invite the talent individually to a set audition. At the minimum, ensure you have at least 1-2 people to help you with hosting the audition and rating the talent.
• Hire the equipment. While your candidates will usually want to bring their own instruments, players of big and heavy instruments (such as pianists or drummers) would not be able to do the same. Book a space with all the equipment (microphones, amps, stage monitors, etc.), either included in the fee or separately for hire.
• Announce it. After you work out all the details, it’s time to put the call out finally! Get some posters, tell your friends or contacts to spread the word, and use social media to your advantage. Be clear about the audition process. Provide specific dates and your contact information or your audition venue’s address.
• Brief the talent. Provide candidates with the materials they need (such as an acting script, lyrics or sheet music for a musician) and some refreshments to make their wait more pleasant. Make sure they know the general time frame of their performance, and try your best to stay on schedule.
• Get started! Every time a new candidate enters, ask them to introduce themselves, then introduce yourself, and make sure they understand the assignment. See what they have to offer compared to the other candidates and consult with your co-judge often (preferably after their audition). Take note of any concerns or questions.

FAQs about Casting and Audition Venues in London

What's the price of organising a casting or audition in London?

Unless you wish to invest in advertising your audition, the main cost of organising such an event will be the venue hire. Prices for venues suitable for castings and auditions start at £12 per hour and can reach up to £500 per hour or more. If you want to go for a daily hire, expect prices between £150 and £10000 per day and beyond. (All data from Tagvenue.com)

What types of venues can be used for castings or auditions?

• Blank canvases - If all you need is an open space, you won't have any trouble finding some neat blank canvas spaces to host your casting or audition.
• Small theatres - If you want to make your event feel special or want to throw together a talent show, you'll be able to find some nice locations with fully-fledged stages around the city.
• Conference rooms - These can be repurposed into a space well suited for casting and auditions, and you can find dozens of them all over central London.
• Photo and video studios - If a space for model casting is what you're after, how about carrying out the audition in a real studio environment? Venues designed for photo and video shoots are widely available across the city.

Will I need any additional equipment for the casting or audition?

Depending on the type of audition you're planning, you will have different things to prepare. If you're a director looking for undiscovered actors, you have to share the script with them. Maybe you can provide them with some props as well? If you're looking for musicians, basic sound equipment and possibly instruments should be in place. Some sort of recording equipment would help you choose the perfect candidate after the audition day.

What are my options for casting spaces in Central London?

• Screening Room at Pushkin House - This blank canvas venue would be great for your next audition. It has great reviews and is located a short walk away from The British Museum.
• Studio 1 at Cromer Studios - A space set up and ready for auditions and rehearsals, complete with a waiting area, changing room, and a spacious main studio. You can find it just a block away from the A501, close to King's Cross Station.
• The Basement at The Calder Theatre Bookshop - Located in Southwark, this blank canvas room offers a nice, secluded space with an upright piano included with the hire.
• Photo and Film Studio at UP Studios - This Wharf Road studio boasts a large, minimal space great for all sorts of purposes, including music and acting auditions.
• Theatre at October Gallery - With close proximity to Russell Square and plenty of space you can arrange to meet your needs, this space can become a perfect location for many types of auditions.