8 Steps to your first role – Part 5: Agent panel tips
Breaking into the industry can feel daunting, but the right advice can help you take those first steps with confidence. In part five of our series on helping you land your first role, our Birmingham campus Careers Manager Katie Kerr shares her top tips on your agent panel day.
Preparation is key
Every great agent panel day begins long before you step into the room. Take time to choose material that truly suits your casting type – something that lets your personality and skill shine, rather than material you’re wrestling to fit into. Once you’ve found the right piece, practise it until it feels like part of you, and when the day itself arrives, take a breath and let go of the pressure to be flawless. Here’s the truth that matters most: agents aren’t looking for perfection. They’re looking for potential, a glimpse of who you could become. So trust the work you’ve put in, and let your potential do the talking.
Make sure you look the part
Think of agent panel day as an audition from head to toe – your hair, your makeup, your outfit are all part of the story you’re telling. But there’s one simple, reassuring rule to hold onto: just look like your headshot. Agents are excited to meet the person in that photo, so there’s no need to reinvent yourself for the day. Show up as your most polished, genuine self – the version they’re already looking forward to seeing.
Own the room
Our agent panel days typically host 15–20 agents, and walking into a room with 15-plus agents can feel like a lot, and that’s completely normal. Don’t worry about not being noticed, you’ll get your moment; you won’t be lost in an ensemble or overlooked in a crowd. Every single agent in that room will get to watch you, and only you. Instead of letting that feel daunting, let it feel exciting – this is your moment of pure, undiluted exposure. Take it, own it, and enjoy being seen.
Look after yourself
Agent panel day is a whirlwind of energy; exhilarating, but also genuinely demanding. So be kind to yourself in the run-up. Prioritise a great night’s sleep so you feel clear and grounded. Keep the water flowing throughout the day to stay energised and hydrated. And most importantly of all, remember to enjoy it. When you’re having fun, it shows – and that’s often what makes you unforgettable.
Find out more about our Creative Futures team and our careers support here.
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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.
