I want to be a perfomer, what should I do ?

The answer depends entirely on your age. First of all we'd recommend that you get involved with as many arts based activities as possible. Take on as much information as you can, and get experience in a variety of roles. You'd be surprised how directing a scene can teach you a lot about performing in them. Each teacher, will have their own take on the industry, but if they're worth their salt they'll understand that it's this diversity which makes the arts a vital place to work. It's important that you refine your instrument, which means being physically fit, and whilst you're young, work on your weakness. You'll come in for much more stick if you're famous and try and carry off a skill you haven't yet perfected, now is the time to fail, aslong as you learn from each failure. See as many performances as you can. The performing world isn't as big as it first seems, many companies are linked through practitioners, start to figure out who they are, and whose work you admire. Read. Listen.

I'm an actor that can't dance, do you really need to do all three disciplines?

No. You don't have to. Although we think it's important to be a triple threat, there's absolutely no reason why a terrible dancer can't just be an actor. However, in the course of your acting career you may be asked to play a person that can dance, or to play a scene in a ballroom, or to perform heightened movement, or to be involved in stage combat. Dance will strengthen and refine your body in many ways, and if you attend drama school, dance classes are mandatory. We suggest if you find dance is a weakness of yours, work on it now, after all the fewer weaknesses you have, the better. It's just an extra tool in your arsenal.

I'm not sure which theatre group to join, any suggestions ?

We'd recommend going to visit them. Talk to the staff there to get an idea of their subject knowledge and their teaching style. Talk to the students and try to asses if there's a difference between students who have just arrived and those that have been there a number of years. Perhaps go along to see a show that they put on, and feel free to ask plenty of questions. We'd also recommend going along for a trial day if its possible. The proof of the pudding is in the eating. If at any point you feel under pressure, or uncomfortable, or unsure, it's probably not the place for you.

I want to go to drama school, what do I do ?

Become a triple threat. Get a sound subject knowledge. Get plenty of experience and form opinions about the type of performer you want to be. And remember, drama school is tough, and it doesn't suit every performer. We know as many professionals who've never been or who attended university. In the 80s/90s it was a must if you wanted to succeed. In the millenium thats not the case.

If you really want to go, we'd suggest you get to know all the drama schools you're thinking of auditioning at. Its easy enough for someone to say 'Oh East 15 is great', but very often they're speaking from their own experiences. Drama schools are only as strong as their teaching staff, and new staff join and leave annually. What was an amazing drama school last year, is very mediocre this. Go to open days, talk to current students and get a feel for the place. You'll know the school for you the moment you walk through the door.

Can you recommend any good books?

Can you recommend any shows I should be seeing ?

There are always good performances going on, but we'd suggest that instead of looking at individual shows you get to know a companies work. There's obviously companies such as the National, the RSC, Birmingham REP, etc etc. who regularly turn out great work, but don't forget that smaller or new companies often turn out work which can be braver, or push the boundaries to a greater degree. It's these companies you should watch. They're the companies of tomorrow, and now could be a good time to get involved. We'd also suggest you don't just stick to theatre - go to art galleries, listen to a range of music, watch the ballet, look at grafitti, read as much of everything you can get your hands on - you'll be surprised how much cross pollination there is in the arts.

I'm going for an audition, have you any advice on what pieces I should do ?

An age old question, and a vitally misunderstood one. Auditions are not just a vital tool for figuring out who the best actor is, they're a vital took for figuring out who YOU are. For a professional audition you may be asked to perform one piece. For a drama school place you may be asked to perform two or more.

We suggest that our students find one piece which says them, it shouldn't feel like acting, it's as close to you as is feasibly possible. It should be your age, your gender and your accent. For your second piece find something at the other end of the spectrum from that base (within reason), this will show the panel that you have range.

Look for pieces which are truly contemporary. Many drama teachers will suggest writers such as Berkoff, Ayckourn, Shakespeare, Bennett, Churchill. Yes these are amazing writers, but yes the auditon panel have heard every piece they've ever written a thousand times. Unless you can perform that piece better than the best time they saw it, find something more original. If you bring something to them they haven't yet heard it'll do two things, they'll really listen rather than compare, it will suggest you're willing to go the 'extra mile' and have good subject knowledge. It's okay to look at pieces in a monologue book, but remember, your competitors are doing the same. Much better would be to find a writer within the monologue book whose style you appreciate, then research other plays they've done, you may find something even better.

I'm thinking of joining an agency, there's a sign on fee, but they look genuine, should I join them?

No. No. No. No. No....and incase you didn't catch that.....no. Genuine agencies NEVER charge people to join their books. A genuine agent works by finding you auditions, when you get work they take a percentage of your fee. Typical rates are around 10-15% depending on whether its theatre, tv, film or adverts.

A very common scam is having young people join an 'agency' for free then telling them they need photographs. They take the pictures then charge you for the pleasure. STAY AWAY FROM THESE PEOPLE. When joining a genuine agency, it's correct you will need photographs. We suggest finding your own photographer. Good photos can be taken for as little as £50 per session.

Am I too old ?

What kind of photographs do I need ?

I want to be an actor what should I learn about ?

I want to work in musical theatre, what should I do ?