550 stories by "John Byrne"
My first job was as a Bluecoat at Pontins, Prestatyn Sands, at the age of 16. My dad saw an advert in
A few months ago, I managed to secure the final professional credit I needed to be eligible for Spotlight membership. With that
I didn't actually have anywhere to live on my first day at LAMDA. I'd come down to London and knew I wanted
1. Bring the character alive Whatever the period or style of the audition piece, you should show that you possess the language, making
Our resident careers adviser John Byrne answers the most common questions posed by aspiring drama students… How essential is drama school to
My first audition was during my last term of drama school. Shortly after our headshots were published in the Spotlight Graduates book,
1. Use positive body language Actors are very sensitive to body language; it's part of their training. Whether you're in rehearsals or auditions,
I've been lucky to start my professional career with several good jobs relatively close together. In fact, a (one-line) part in a
1. Keep connected Stay well-connected to the industry, keeping up to date with what is happening in your local area and beyond. Nowadays,
I'd say my first proper 'audition' was the first time I led an entire workshop by myself at Generation Arts for more
Although my main goal is to get a good TV part, I have always enjoyed being on stage and have had very
My first paid gig was a 10-minute set at the Comedy Cafe in London when I was 18. I can't remember whether
1. Learn how to teach Maybe you're an actor, or you've just finished a degree in drama. Whether or not you have experience
After a year of self-representing, I have got myself a good agent (or certainly one who has been doing a good job
I had been dancing in competitions in South Africa since the age of four, before going on to compete internationally. Although I
1. Keep your diet 'en pointe' When your diet goes downhill on tour it is sure that your endurance, concentration and conditioning will
I was on an online dance forum recently and mentioned how much I admire a particular director who is known for quite
My first job was in 2004: a week playing a nurse on Tracy Beaker for the BBC in Cardiff. It couldn't have
1. Small is beautiful Irish actors are blessed yet burdened with the scale of their unique theatre industry. Actors should try to turn
Having done quite well in my native Ireland for the past two years, I decided to bite the bullet and move to
My first audition was around 18 years ago in the middle of July for an independent film titled Alex and Nicole (A
1. Have a gin and tonic (not) After all, one can't hurt, can it? Hello! Do not on any occasion, under any circumstances,
I've just completed my second year of a part-time course where, although my own career goals are mainly screen acting, we have
I had just left drama school, frustrated with inadequate training and the lack of diversity. But luckily for me, at 15 I
1. Who is your community? Don't make the mistake of thinking you have one community. Every community is made up from hundreds of
