Hands-on casting workshop with Ri McDaid-Wren (Doctor Who, It's a Sin) — part of PRIFF UK's 5th Annual Programme. 12 Nov, London.

Casting Workshop with Ri McDaid-Wren

Part of the 5th Annual PRIFF UK Programme

As part of PRIFF's ongoing aim to expand into communities other festivals often don't reach, this year we're bringing a dedicated casting workshop to our programme — built specifically for the acting community.

Led by freelance casting director Ri McDaid-Wren (they/them), (https://www.ri-mcd.com/) this is a hands-on opportunity to learn directly from someone working at the top of UK casting today.

Workshop Format

The workshop is designed for actors looking to develop their audition and casting skills through practical, individual work with an experienced UK casting professional. Participants will prepare and perform a scene, receive individual feedback and direction, and have the opportunity to apply that feedback in a second performance.

Ahead of the session, participants will receive a selection of sides to choose from and prepare in advance.

During the workshop, each actor will:

Perform their chosen scene

receive individual feedback and direction from Ri.

Have the opportunity to perform the scene again, applying that feedback

hear additional observations and take part in group discussion.

Take part in a Q&A with Ri, subject to time.

We are also hoping to record participants’ scenes so that actors can review their work following the workshop.

About Ri:

Ri's recent work includes the six-part drama Adultery for ITV, comedy thriller Dead Hot for Amazon Prime, and Significant Other, a six-part comedy series for ITV, alongside comedy shorts for Comedy Central's Dating Horror Stories and Fatiha El-Ghorri's BBC blap Donkey. As a Casting Associate, Ri previously worked on Doctor Who, the CDG Award-winning It's a Sin, Gentleman Jack, Years & Years, and Stan & Ollie.

Ri is also a passionate advocate for better representation on and off screen—a founding member of the CDG's EDI Group since 2018, and creator of the CDG's casting internship programme for underrepresented professionals, launched in 2022.

Session details:

📅 Thursday 12 November

📍 Pixley Street, 16 Pixley St, London, E14 7DF

Choose your session:

Session 1 — 11:00am–2:00pm

Session 2 — 3:00pm–6:00pm

Full workshop capacity is limited to ensure a genuinely hands-on group size.

Please note: This event is for educational purposes only. Participation does not constitute an audition or guarantee employment, representation, or future consideration for work. The casting director’s involvement in this event is not connected to the casting of any current or future production.

Additional note: PRIFF UK reserves the right to cancel this event. Should this occur, all ticket holders will receive a full refund.

Description supplied by the event organiser.