How to get more acting work in York
Some clients who come to shoot with me ask about accessing work within York’s performing arts and theatre scene. Through meeting lots of actors, training as an actor myself, and shooting in theatres, I have put together a few suggestions for someone looking to grow their arts business or career specific to finding more paid acting work.
A Good Headshot
Well, this might seem a little biased of me seeing as you’re on an actor headshot photographer’s website but the headshot is likely the first impression you will make on another professional so well worth investing in. Click the link here to learn more about what I do and how I can help you get your next casting.
Workshops
I have heard firsthand from actors that attending a regular acting class has given them leads on castings and auditions. I don’t attend any myself so cannot recommend specifics but do encourage the habit of attending a regular class. Apart from being a great way of keeping up to scratch on your acting skills, they can also be great fun, a brilliant way to make new friends and of course, find new work.
Mailing lists
Many theatres keep a mailing list to keep customers up to date on the news, latest shows, announcements, and deals on tickets. As a theatre creative this info is so very useful - it’s worth double checking that you are indeed subscribed to all mailing lists with copmanies that might be useful to you.
In addition - A little ‘Did you know’ fact: Lots of companies have an invite-only mailing list that might include audition info and casting details, lots of theatres do at least so see if you can try to get on one. If you don’t know anyone who might be able to help you with this, maybe the next section is for you…
Events
York has some fantastic events and communities that could benefit an actor looking to build up more work. The most obvious and important would be going to see theatre at any of York’s brilliant performance spaces and going to see a York indie filmmaker’s film screenings as you’re sure to make some great connections there.
I will mention a few brilliant networking events that I have been to and can recommend: York Creatives is a community that arranges monthly meet-ups. Many performers/theatre makers attend and discuss their work and upcoming projects. The meetup can make for a great opportunity to network and it’s also great fun.
Node York is another community but aimed at working freelancers and has a subscription attached to it. They run socials but also super useful workshops in which you can learn loads to benefit your business or career.
York Grand Opera House runs regular scratch nights, Four Wheel Drive Theatre Company runs networking evenings and much more, Script Yorkshire is a fantastic group that meet and writers share their latest scripts, York Filmmakers Coalition screen their latest short films and runs talks and workshops… This is the list so far of places a York based actor may go to build up their network of fellow actors.
Employment
A lot of actors have a career outside of acting or a job that pays rent whilst they find more acting work. If you have a day job and are quite content with it then the next part doesn’t apply to you but for those open to the idea of changing jobs, it could be very worth your while considering how supportive your job is of an acting career.
Actors are often found working in theatre cafes and in front of house for a good reason, creative organisations are usually much more understanding and flexible when a last-minute casting comes in and you have to nip off to London at short notice. Creative companies present great networking opportunities and potential casting news too as well as being flexible to a creative’s needs. Some more jobs to consider could be working at an acting agency, getting a job at a theatre company, working at an acting class, or drama school. Just a few types of establishments that spring to mind that will all be keen for more front of house, admin, marketing, technicians and many more job roles to get access with. Just check out the jobs page at some of the organisations you might work at for ideas.
Agencies
Applying for an agent is an obvious choice as we all know an agent can get you acting work but I can’t recommend any specifically. The good news is that if you don’t have an agent, don’t want one, or can’t get one then all the above options still exist and you can find the work yourself!
Above all, the acting industry’s reputation for being a highly saturated and competitive market is a valid reputation and not to be underestimated. But like every business, there’s a vast amount of methods and opportunities and over time, you will see the work slowly build as a handsome reward for your consistent activities.