550 stories by "John Byrne"
I'm no spring chicken in the acting stakes but I've always pushed myself to keep up with the times. I was one
1. Be open Commercial castings are very different to those of theatre, film and TV. You will have learned about the importance of
My first job was a pantomime production in 1972 at the Cliffs Pavilion, Southend-on-Sea. A producer by the name of Jerry Jerome
Like all young actors, I have my wish list of people I'd like to work with and productions I'd like to be
I didn't have any performing experience before starting stand-up " I was working as an engineer. I took to comedy like a
1. Don't be afraid to start Acting is one of the most wonderful vocations that you can choose to pursue. Once you start
I'm partially funding my drama studies by singing opera at corporate events, weddings and other functions. I'm classically trained, and over the
The first paid show I did was my final production at drama school. It was a production of King Lear at Bristol
1. Take every opportunity They say it's not what you know, but who you know. Coming from a working-class background, the chances are
I had a lull in my acting work last summer and decided to try my hand at writing. My original aim was
1. Balancing your creativity Small-scale theatre doesn't mean scaling down your ideas, but keep in mind the theatre space for which you are
The first time I directed a musical (or anything that wasn't my high school production of Spring Awakening) was a new show
I've been pursuing my career as an actor for about 19 years now and I've had some great experiences, but now I'm
Paul Robbens CV: More than 300 productions for organisations including the Royal Shakespeare Company, English National Opera, Royal Opera House, National Theatre,
Kathy Yeoman Training: PG Dip in BSL/English interpreting CV: Rehearsal interpreter for Deafinitely Theatre's Something Else, Grounded, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Love's
Stephen Hayes Organisation: National Theatre, London Training: Degree in Social Science CV: Watershed, Bristol: box office assistant, duty manager, house manager; National
Joanne Colley Organisation: National Theatre, London Training: Tait Towers, Lititz, US CV: The Lord of The Rings (London), London 2012 Olympic and
1. Be positive Some people think this type of work is beneath them. If only they could realise how much you can hone
My first audition was at the Theatre Royal Stratford East for the role of Beauty in Beauty and the Beast. I had
Your problem I have just completed a very enjoyable part-time course and have been looking forward to the industry showcase at the
I was a part of a trio called Bemarro Sisters. We wrote and directed our own plays, which we performed at the
1. Be yourself Explore what makes you ridiculous. Find what makes you laugh and gives you pleasure on stage, what makes you happy.
Over the past few years, I have seen you and several other career advisers I respect being very positive about actors 'making
My first audition was for Federico Garcia Lorca's Dona Rosita, the Spinster at Pentameters Theatre in London. I was up for the
1. Get the word out early Bringing an American musical to the British stage is a lot harder if it's not very well
