Advice for actors, backstage & creative theatre careers

Polka Theatre’s artistic director talks to The Stage about theatre’s inspiring impact on young people and the company’s well-being workshops during the pandemic

Mark Thomas: ‘My first gig was a disaster – I watched myself die in the mirror’

by John Byrne

Actor Kashelle Taylor: 'Whatever set you are on, take time out to meet the crew'

by John Byrne

How will drama schools operate summer courses in 2021?

by Samantha Marsden

Fight director Kate Waters: 'My first minute in a rehearsal room is the most important part of my day'

by John Byrne

Lyn Gardner

In 2021, theatre has a chance to cement the revolution begun in the 1960s

Data can help theatre tackle inequality, but beware over-optimistic claims

Touring is theatre’s lifeblood, so we must protect it by supporting freelancers

Don’t give us a break – intervals are an outmoded, unnecessary theatre convention

Honesty is the best policy for critics to help theatre revive and flourish

Amid the joy at theatre’s return, let’s not forget its role in healing grief

David Benedict

Bond farewells: Screen trumps stage, even in death

Cutting Phantom’s orchestra to save money dilutes the sumptuous original

In the best retellings of Cinderella, the element of surprise stands out

Why do so many newspaper columnists love to hate theatre?

The play’s the thing: why Ian McKellen’s age-blind Hamlet is no gimmick

Dangerous game? Why sports-themed musicals rarely find a winning formula

Mark Thomas: ‘My first gig was a disaster – I watched myself die in the mirror’

by John Byrne

Actor Kashelle Taylor: 'Whatever set you are on, take time out to meet the crew'

by John Byrne

How will drama schools operate summer courses in 2021?

by Samantha Marsden

Fight director Kate Waters: 'My first minute in a rehearsal room is the most important part of my day'

by John Byrne

Actor Oliver Dimsdale: ‘I loved every second of my first job’

by John Byrne

Lecturer Vanessa Coffey: ‘I would love intimacy coordinators to become standard practice’

by John Byrne

Head of design Angela Davies: ‘It’s useful to be able to sketch your idea on a serviette’

by John Byrne

Actor Riley Clark: ‘My first job in panto taught me a lot about stamina’

by John Byrne

What are the pros and cons of not going to drama school?

by Samantha Marsden

ShowKids' Natalie Janvrin: 'We need to tell parents about the career benefits of studying drama'

by John Byrne

Artistic director Mojisola Elufowoju: ‘My first job taught me to question everything until you have a clear vision’

by John Byrne

How will technical theatre training change post-pandemic?

by John Byrne

Can you be taught to be a director?

by Sarah Lambie

Win free training at Razzamataz with The Stage Scholarships

by Paul Vale

Actor Samantha Renke: ‘People infantilise those within the disabled community’

by John Byrne

Actor Oliver Dimsdale: ‘I loved every second of my first job’

by John Byrne

Lecturer Vanessa Coffey: ‘I would love intimacy coordinators to become standard practice’

by John Byrne

Head of design Angela Davies: ‘It’s useful to be able to sketch your idea on a serviette’

by John Byrne

Actor Riley Clark: ‘My first job in panto taught me a lot about stamina’

by John Byrne

The Green Room

What would you programme when theatres reopen?

Has the pandemic permanently changed the casting process?

How can we make working at night safer for theatre professionals?

VIEW ALL

Your views

Cutting Phantom’s orchestra will ruin the show – your views, April 21

by The Stage

Vaccinations and the burden of proof – your views, April 14

by The Stage

Quote UnQuote

Quotes of the Week, April 21: Damian Lewis, Karen Olivo, Ian McKellen and more

Quotes of the Week, April 14: Rufus Norris, Denise Gough, Andrew Lloyd Webber and more

Quotes of the Week, April 7: Moira Buffini, Nathan Lane, Kate Winslet and more

VIEW ALL

Advice

Polka’s Peter Glanville: ‘Every child should have access to creative activities’

by John Byrne

Mark Thomas: ‘My first gig was a disaster – I watched myself die in the mirror’

by John Byrne

Actor Kashelle Taylor: 'Whatever set you are on, take time out to meet the crew'

by John Byrne

How will drama schools operate summer courses in 2021?

by Samantha Marsden

Fight director Kate Waters: 'My first minute in a rehearsal room is the most important part of my day'

by John Byrne

Actor Oliver Dimsdale: ‘I loved every second of my first job’

by John Byrne

Lecturer Vanessa Coffey: ‘I would love intimacy coordinators to become standard practice’

by John Byrne

Head of design Angela Davies: ‘It’s useful to be able to sketch your idea on a serviette’

by John Byrne

Actor Riley Clark: ‘My first job in panto taught me a lot about stamina’

by John Byrne

Dear West End Producer

Could theatres save money by giving audiences dark glasses and telling them to imagine the action?

'What is the best way to get a meeting with an agent?'

'What is the current state of our industry?'

VIEW ALL

Careers Clinic

By John Byrne

What is the best way to market my musical theatre release?

What are the best writing competitions to enter?

How do I reach out to casting directors in a year when I haven’t been very productive?

VIEW ALL

Exclusive: Beauty and the Beast director steps down after leaked email reveals support for Scott Rudin

Mountview MA students demand refunds in row over pandemic closure

Liam Scarlett

Scott Rudin to step down from UK productions, Sonia Friedman confirms

Helen McCrory

No intervals, early starts and mask checks: how theatres are preparing to reopen

Choreographer Liam Scarlett dies aged 35

Bond farewells: Screen trumps stage, even in death

Liam Scarlett: ‘I am a bit of a control freak’

Helen McCrory dies aged 52

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Advice

Dear West End Producer

Careers Clinic

By John Byrne

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