Actors’ and Performers’ Yearbook 2024

Foreword - Sam Stevenson Training Introduction Training for the under-18s Arts Emergency – Julie Hesmondhalgh Interview: David Mumeni; Levelling the playing-field for actors from working and benefit class backgrounds Drama schools Checklist of drama school deadlines, audition requirements, audition fees and funding systems – Lloyd Trott What are drama schools looking for? – Geoffrey Colman It’s warm up North: training and opportunities for actors living in North East England – Adelle Hulsmeier Short-term and part-time courses Private tutors and coaches An actor’s toolkit – Simon Dunmore Agents and casting directors Introduction Agents Being an agent – Howard Roberts CPMA: the Co-operative Personal Management Association Voice-over agents Presenters’ agents Casting directors Casting for the stage – Anne McNulty Casting for musical theatre – David Grindrod Woman in a brown skirt – Sophie Stanton Theatre Introduction Interview: Cherrelle Skeete; Active Listening in a Community of Nomads Dramaturg at HOME – Petra Jane Tauscher Producing theatres Interview: Tom Ross-Williams Inclusivity and Allyship for the Future of the Industry Effective audition speeches – Simon Dunmore Understudying – Andrew Piper Independent managements/theatre producers Interview: Hazel Holder; Voicing Kindness Ignition, inspiration and the imposter – Scott Graham Middle and smaller-scale companies Starting your own theatre company – Pilar Orti´ Finding funding for projects – Sinead Mac Manus The multi-hyphenate comedy actor-performer-writer – Chris Head Interview: Geoff Whiting; Routes into stand-up comedy Pantomime English-language European theatre companies A touring actor’s survival guide – Maev Alexander Fringe theatres Interview: Ned Bennett; The Direction of Collaboration Edinburgh or bust: is it worth it? – Shane Dempsey Open Book: fairer finances for fringe theatre – Piers Beckley Children’s, young people’s and theatre in education – Paul Harman Shakespeare changes prisoners’ lives – Bruce Wall Festivals Role-play companies Media Introduction Television companies Casting for television – Janie Frazer Auditioning for camera – Nancy Bishop Self-taping auditions – Ros Hubbard Are you ready for Pilot Season? – Brendan Thomas Independent film, video and TV production companies Film schools Actors and video games – Mark Estdale Radio and audio book companies Acting for radio – Gordon House Media festivals Disabled actors Introduction Training Sources of work Arts organisations Rights, advice and support Opportunities for disabled actors – Jamie Beddard Resources Resources Introduction Equity Act For Change – Kobna Holdbrook-Smith Beyond #metoo – Kelly Burke Spotlight, casting directories and information services ‘Point me in the right direction’: navigating the casting services – Isabelle Farah Be prepared for publicity – Jayne Trotman Photographers and repro companies Getting the most from your photographs – Angus Deuchar Making money from your voice – Marina Caldarone Showreel, voicereel and website services Showreels: creation and maintenance – Anthony Holmes Digital wellbeing for actors – Sinead Mac Manus Interview: Daniel Heale; Building your personal brand on social media Accountants Tax and National Insurance for actors – Philippe Carden Equity Pension Scheme – Andrew Barker @ First Act Physical and mental fitness for actors – Alex Caan Interview: Claire Cordeaux; Mental health in the performing arts Funding bodies Publications, libraries, references and booksellers Organisations, associations and societies Bibliography Webography Index