What are the best first steps to take after graduating?

Beryl Apply for everything, see whatever you can – get deals where there are deals – and get a good side hustle.

Jon Ha, yes – one you can see yourself doing happily for the next 30 years, ideally.

Emily Finding a job that doesn’t make you want to hit your head against a wall is an excellent idea.

Heather Get a non-performing job that you like. Don’t spend all of your time between jobs hating your life. It’s too short and too precious.

Jon Either that or land the lead in a massive film, that’s probably a good one.

Beryl Well, that would do.

Jenny Ideally, get a job within the industry, like front of house or dressing/crew, and then you will feel like you’re involved and you’ll hear about castings and auditions coming up. Don’t be afraid to write to people and ask for meetings, too.

Riley Don’t gauge your success by comparing yourself to the other people in your year and what jobs they may or may not be doing.

Jon That’s a huge one.

Heather Don’t compare yourself to other people’s graduate journeys. Your career will bloom in its own time. Avoid bedtime doom-scrolling of people’s “happy to announce” job posts. Been there and it ain’t good.

Riley This industry is not a meritocracy.

Jon Always remember the brilliant advice to a young actor from Michael Simkins: “It’s not fair, and don’t be late.”

Albert Set some realistic objectives for your first year so that when you check back next summer, you have a measure of how you’re doing. And real objectives that are achievable as opposed to listing your dreams.

Jenny Try as best as you can to secure an agent. Go to all the castings you’re offered.

Emily I’d also say, don’t panic if you have left without an agent – everyone has such wildly different journeys in this industry, and you never truly know what’s around the corner.

Peter Unless you’ve got a very good idea about what you want to concentrate on (for example, musical theatre), try to work in as many areas of the industry as possible.

Beryl There are workshops, classes – keep your hand in, stay ready, as it were.

Peter Treat people well, irrespective of their position or power.

Jon I know this is a great deal harder than it was even 10 years ago, but if the work isn’t there, look for ways to make your own.

Albert Nobody prepares graduates for the time they won’t be acting, which, for many, could be the next 365 days at least.

Jon Even if you can only afford a one-nighter in the room above the local pub, get your focus on that and see where it takes you.

Albert Better to do a short film if you can for one of the film schools. Return on investment. Fringe theatre for five nights – if no one sees it, it’s over. Short film – you have the finished product to show people and send them.

Emily Also, you are more than your career. Please don’t define success as getting a lead role in a movie. I think success is also about being a kind and nice person and having wonderful friends and going to do things that make you happy outside of acting.

Riley Absolutely.

Beryl Totally.

Jon Agreed. But on the flip side, be comfortable looking people dead in the eye and saying: “I’m an actor.” Not: “Well, I sort of, that is I do a bit of, I mean I’m not really at the moment, but I’d like to…”

Riley It’s the little things – go for walks, read the news, have opinions, read books, watch loads of films, find your friends, find hobbies and try new things whenever the opportunity comes.

Beryl Yep, don’t let it define you wholly, it won’t thank or repay you for it. Living is really important. Also, everything you do in life feeds your tool bag of creativity, it’s all food.

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