Everything parents usually want to know before applying, and a few things worth knowing after you join.
KTTA is a highly selective boutique agency and we only accept performers we genuinely believe we can help secure professional paid work.
Please visit the Apply section of the website. We review applications carefully and will contact you if we would like to discuss representation further.
Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unfortunately unable to provide individual feedback to everyone.
No. KTTA deliberately keeps its books small. We don't believe in taking on large numbers of performers simply to increase our client list.
We look at each applicant individually, considering their talent, experience, skills, professional potential, availability and whether we feel KTTA is the right agency for their career.
We only take on performers we genuinely believe have a realistic chance of securing professional paid work.
We periodically open our books for new applications. This allows us to review applications properly and ensures that we can continue to give our existing clients the level of personal attention they deserve.
That said, our books are always open for the right client: if we believe a performer is a genuine fit for KTTA, we won't ask them to wait for an application window.
Follow our social media channels for announcements about when applications are officially open.
We aim to review applications as efficiently as possible, but this can vary depending on the volume of applications we receive.
If you haven't heard from us after four weeks, please assume that we have not been able to offer representation on this occasion. We appreciate every application and wish we could respond personally to everyone, but unfortunately this isn't always possible.
KTTA is a small, boutique agency. We don't want hundreds of clients. We want to know our clients properly.
Our approach is about management as well as representation. We work with performers and their families to help them understand the industry, develop their skills, maintain strong profiles and make informed decisions about their careers.
KTTA is led by Kim Thursfield, who has more than 18 years of experience across the performing arts industry as a performer, vocal coach, performing arts school principal, producer, director, author and theatre PR & marketing professional. Our clients benefit from that wider industry knowledge and experience.
Not necessarily. For young performers in particular, we look at potential as well as experience.
However, we are a professional talent agency, not a drama school. We need to see genuine talent, commitment, confidence and the potential to work professionally.
Every child is different, but we're generally looking for:
For young performers, parental support is equally important. Parents need to be responsive, organised and able to commit to the practical requirements of the industry, including short-notice auditions, self-tapes and availability.
KTTA works on a 15% commission basis on professional work secured through the agency, subject to the terms of your representation agreement.
We do not believe in charging large upfront agency fees simply for being represented.
However, professional performers do have some costs associated with presenting themselves properly to the industry.
Depending on your circumstances, you may need to budget for things such as:
We will always be clear with you about anything we recommend and why it may be beneficial.
Spotlight is one of the UK's leading professional casting platforms, connecting performers, agents and casting professionals across theatre, television, film and other areas of the entertainment industry. Casting professionals search performer profiles, and agents submit suitable clients for opportunities.
For young performers, Spotlight membership is normally something we will discuss with you once representation has been agreed. A young performer must be represented by a Spotlight-registered agent to join Spotlight, and KTTA can guide parents through the process.
For adult performers, Spotlight is an important professional casting platform and we generally expect established adult applicants to have a suitable profile, depending on their experience and circumstances.
Spotlight's membership requirements and prices can change, so we recommend checking the current information directly with Spotlight.
For most professional performers, yes. Your headshot is often one of the first things a casting professional sees, so it needs to represent you accurately and professionally.
For children especially, photographs should look like the child looks now, rather than being heavily edited or overly stylised.
KTTA can advise you on suitable photographers and when your headshots need updating.
No, and no genuine agency can.
Casting is highly competitive, and ultimately the casting director, producer or creative team decides who they want to see and who gets the job.
We receive casting opportunities regularly and submit our clients for roles where we believe they are genuinely suitable.
Often not much: casting directors typically give appointments for castings at short notice, sometimes for the following day.
This is why we ask parents to be responsive and organised: quick turnarounds on self-tapes and availability are a normal part of professional work.
A lot of the work we handle takes place in London and around the South East of England, but our clients have worked across the UK and abroad.
Self-taping means you can often send a video to the casting director in the first instance, and only travel if you are brought through to the next round.
Filming yourself reading the lines, using a smartphone or tablet. Self-tapes are now a standard part of casting.
You should only send videos to us; please don't upload audition material to public platforms yourself.
Almost all professional work involves some time away from school or college. Licensing rules exist to protect children, and productions arrange tutoring where required.
It's important that your school and headteacher are supportive of your child's professional work.
Like most agencies, we ask for sole representation of our clients for acting work. You are welcome to join a modelling agency for stills-only work, and you may also have a separate voiceover agent.
Keep us up to date with height, availability and skills; keep songs and monologues prepared; and stay engaged with the industry.
Availability, holidays and profile updates are managed through our client portal; existing families can log in here.
Can't find your answer?
Ask us directly