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