Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications do you need to work in theatre?
This depends on the job you want to do. An actor must simply be good - but you should think very seriously thinking about going to an accredited drama school. (link to the list in this document please) Getting an A Level, BTEC or GNVQ can be a good start for an actor, but three years training of your voice, body, mind and imagination can be vital. Many people have no qualifications related to theatre (they probably haven't even done a GCSE in drama or theatre) they got experience through maybe volunteering or starting off in a job like ushering, crewing etc. For most technical jobs there are basic skills and working practices you need to acquire to be eligible to apply for a job. For example an electrician or sound designer will need to have gained very specific knowledge and understanding.
How do you get an Agent?
At the end of training course at a drama school there will be a show or showcase to which agents are invited. Agents are also invited to any shows that are presented by students while they are training at colleges. Agents will go along to spot new talent and then offer to represent them. Alternatively, actors invite agents to shows they are performing in and hope that they like their performance enough to take them on. Your first few jobs you will probably not be paid for but they are a good opportunity to get people to come and see you. Agents are very busy people and often go to the theatre every night so you will need to give them lots of notice. Most agents will want to see you working before they will put you on their books. An agent makes their money from getting actors jobs and getting a percentage of their pay so they are most likely to choose actors who they think it will be easy to get work for. In some instances agents will chase actors and offer their services - but this is not usual.
Is it as hard to get work in theatre as everyone says it is?
It is very competitive but anything is possible. It also depends which field you want to get into. There are lots more people trying to be actors and directors, than say lighting designers, or carpenters. In many ways it's the sort of profession where you get out as much as you put in. It's also good to keep an eye on the bigger picture. Very few people get 'discovered'. You might have to work for free in order to get experience, you might have work in an area that isn't your first choice just to get a foot in the door and so on. But, if you are willing to keep at it, to keep an open mind, then there are lots of opportunities. However, it is not the easiest profession. There can be disappointments but that's probably true of any field of work.
Do jobs in theatre lack continuity?
For the most part, yes. There are secure, full time jobs for technicians, directors, stage managers with reasonable salaries but for actors almost never. Many jobs in theatre are freelance. For each new play a new team of creative people are brought together and then move away on to their next job. Most directors, designers, writers will not be linked to a particular company or theatre and so they need to keep finding new jobs. However, if you want to work in administration, marketing or the like then there is much more likelihood of permanent work that is secure.
What age to you have to be before you can be an actor?
There really isn't any limit. Some young people choose to go to stage schools, which enables them to develop their performance skills whilst also completing their compulsory education. However, it is not necessary to start acting from an early age in order to be successful later in life. Most Drama Schools have courses designed for students of 18 and over. Some Drama Schools feel that coming straight from school at 18 to attend an acting course is not advantageous, as getting out into the world and getting some experience, whatever that might be, prepares young people for the demands and challenges of training.
For anyone thinking about becoming an actor getting experience through joining youth theatres, acting workshops, drama clubs at school, is a great way to build up your skills and knowledge. There's lots of non professional (unpaid work) you can do when you are young by getting involved in youth theatre groups and the like.
How should you present yourself for an interview or audition?
Turn up on time. Listen to what is being asked of you and make sure you tell them what they want to know, not what you want to tell them. It might have been worth doing some research - so that you know what to wear e.g. for an audition will you be expected to move, so do you wear trainers etc. Be yourself and try and be calm - its natural that your going to be nervous but try and use that to your advantage. In some ways the usual things of be smart, clean your shoes, wear a tie etc. don't necessarily apply to many theatre jobs. For example, if you wore a suit and tie to an interview for a technician you might give the impression you don't know what the job entails. You should present yourself in a way that reflects the job you are applying for.
What experience should I get?
Whatever area you want to work in you should get as much experience as you can and be open to a whole range of opportunities. You can start getting experience by joining a drama club at school, going to see lots of theatre, and joining a local theatre's youth group an so on. If you are more interesting in acting it is still very useful to know what the stage management team are responsible for, or if you are primarily interested in sound helping out with the lighting will give you much more rounded understanding about how the various elements fit together.
Once you are looking for professional experience you will probably have to consider working for little or more likely no money. Initially, offering your serves as a volunteer can be a very good way of learning skills, making contacts, acquiring experience to put on your CV. Knowing how things work, getting a wide range of experience will always stand you in good stead. It shows that you are committed to working in theatre and are serious about making it your career.
How do you write a CV for jobs in theatre?
Careers services at school/college will be able to give you some examples of how to put together a CV. CVs for theatre are similar to any other profession except for certain jobs. For example an actors CV will include personal details like height, colour of hair etc. and be accompanied by a photo. A designers CV might be much more visually stimulating and more often than not their portfolio of work will be much more important than their CV. The portfolio will include photographs, drawings etc. that give examples of their past work.
How 'eyecatching' you think your CV should be is up to you. Some people try to get noticed by being different. It's hard to know how successful this approach is. Sometimes it comes across as a bit silly and even desperate.
Often people have more than one area of theatre they work in and consequently they need to put together more than one CV. If you are an actor you might have a CV you use to get acting work and one you use to get box office or administration work that supplements your income when you are 'resting'.
