Regional showcase celebrates acting community in the North East

On October 24, 2026, The Actors Forge (TAF), a provider of adult acting classes based in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, is taking to Northern Stage for their annual showcase.

This event is designed to celebrate the talent of the TAF actors, but also to create connections between them and the wider acting community in the North East and beyond.

It will run in four different segments, where one group of advanced TAF actors will perform short scenes. There will be two 15 minute breaks and a 45 minute interval in-between these segments.

After the segments have been performed there will be a post-show reception, where the actors can talk to the audience members who are in the industry and make connections.

TAF beginner member, Jessica Pattinson, stated that she is excited to see the “breath of local talent represented in the North East.”

She added: “As an actor myself, I can’t wait to cheer on and celebrate others in the acting community.”

Ingrid Ruby, fellow beginner member, stated she believes she will be “inspired by the other Forge actors.”

The Actors Forge was founded in 2018 by Creative Director Daniel Lemon. It started out small with a few actors practicing independent scenes and scenes in twos, to educating around 120 students across five classes.

Their classes run for six weeks each term, alongside a masterclass program where they bring industry professionals to the North East so their students have the opportunity of being seen by casting directors, acting couches, agents and more.

In 2023, TAF was voted North East’s Best Drama School and it was featured on the prominent digital casting platform, Spotlight, as an official education provider.

In 2024, they also started collaborating with Arts Council England. Creative UK and Durham University Business School, to help increase and develop opportunities for actors in the North East.

Last year, they have also launched academies in Durham, Sunderland and central Newcastle-upon-Tyne for students from 7 to 17 years old.

For more information about The Actors Forge showcase, visit here.