8 Steps to your first role – Part 8: You got it!
Breaking into the industry can feel daunting, but the right advice can help you take those first steps with confidence. In the final part of our series on helping you land your first role, our Brighton campus Careers Manager Kirsty Yates shares her top tips on your first day in the role!
Be on time (early is even better)
Reliability starts on day one. Arriving early gives you time to find your bearings, settle your nerves, and get comfortable with the space before the day begins. It also shows everyone around you that you take the work seriously, which is the kind of first impression that lasts. Before the day, check your route, plan for delays, and pack everything you’ll need the night before, so you can arrive calm rather than rushed.
Take direction well
Listen closely, adjust quickly, and stay open. That’s what professionals do. Directors, choreographers, and creative teams want to see how you respond to notes just as much as they want to see your talent. If you’re asked to try something a different way, treat it as a chance to show your range and flexibility. Say “Yes, let’s try that,” and give it your full commitment. Being someone who takes a note and applies it well is one of the most valuable things you can offer any company.
Be easy to work with
Rehearsal rooms and backstage areas run on good energy, and the people who bring it are the ones who get remembered. Be kind, stay calm, and show up prepared. Know your lines, your music, or your choreography as well as you can, and bring a positive attitude to everything, including the long days and the tricky moments. Prepared energy goes a long way. Talent gets you in the room, but being a joy to work with is what gets you invited back.
Network naturally
You don’t need to work the room or hand out business cards. Simply say hello, learn people’s names, and take a genuine interest in the people around you. That means the cast, the crew, the stage management team, and the creatives. The industry is smaller than you think, and the relationships you build in one job can lead to the next. You never know who’s watching, and sometimes they’re noticing how you treat people rather than how you perform.
Savour the moment
This is what you’ve been working towards. All the classes, the training, the late nights, and the self-tapes have led you here. Amid the excitement of learning names, remembering notes, and finding your feet, take a moment to look around and appreciate where you are. Enjoy it. You’ve earned your place in the room, and the joy you bring to the work will show in your performance.
To discover more about Performers College, including auditions and how to apply, contact us at [email protected] or you can Apply Now, or book an Open Day on our Events page.
