We all know networking is the way forward when it comes to getting acting work. But how do you do it when you’re not a nepo baby? Don’t worry, I’ve made the ultimate guide to how to network for actors to solve this very problem.
Sometimes, networking can feel fake and phony, like we’re taking advantage of other people. However, if you go into it with the right attitude, it can be a wonderful and fulfilling experience of mutual exchange.
So, as we go through the steps, please keep an open mind and consider what might work for you specifically. You don’t have to do everything at once, but having specific goals on how to connect with others can be a great idea.
Focus On Finding Your Tribe
Networking can sometimes feel really ick, phony, and fake. However, if we’re approaching it this way then we may need to simply adjust our attitudes.
We can feel fake when networking when all we are trying to do is connect with absolutely anyone who may be able to get us a job. This feels icky because we’re using people to our own ends. So, how do we overcome this?
Find your tribe! These are the people that you genuinely get along with. Whether it’s that you hold the same values, the same sense of humour or simply find them easy to chat to, finding people who are your kind of people is the most important thing.
You know those friends that are easy to talk to, laugh with, and you always feel understood by? It’s those kinds of relationships you’re looking for. Some will be closer than others, like any friendship, but it’s important to hold close to the people you genuinely get along with.
There will be actors, casting directors, agents, directors, and many more people within the industry who fit in with you and your tribe more than others. It’s important to meet as many people as possible so that you can find those people that you really do connect with on a genuine level.
Another way to get rid of that icky feeling that can come along with networking is to change the way we see our part in it. Sometimes it can feel like we’re simply taking from others and that feels bad. So, think of it like a friendship – however, don’t just think about who can be your friend but think about how you can be a friend to others.
You should always be respectful and kind to those you meet, even if you don’t think they’re part of your tribe. However, being a friend to those you truly connect with on a deeper level can inspire a deep and genuine level of connection.
Remember, you’re not networking – we’re finding our tribe!
Social Media
One of the easiest and most accessible ways to start finding your tribe is through the use of social media.
Social media can feel awkward and forced, seeing as we don’t know the people we’re interacting with yet. However, this can be a wonderful way to make new connections that may grow into genuine relationships.
Firstly, you can use this to find other work that you enjoy. Find other people’s productions that they’ve written, directed, acted in – or maybe even all three. Like and retweet their promotions. Go to see their shows and have a chat after. Shoot them a message telling them how much you enjoyed it.
This way you will be able to connect with people who make work you genuinely admire and form friendships with those you want to be in your tribe.
You can also use this to connect with casting directors and let them know you exist. Now, you don’t want to be constantly messaging casting directors online. However, it’s a great way to get to know what different CDs are like as people, see what they’re up to, and respond to the things they post that may be relevant to you.
Finally, you can use social media to promote yourself and your work. The most important thing that agents, casting directors and directors say over and over again is that they need to see an actor’s work. They need to see you act.
A great way to get your work out there is to post the projects you’re working on, as well as record monologues regularly and post them on your account. Keep an eye out for online monologue challenges or “promote yourself” threads to throw your name into the mix too.
Go To People’s Shows
One of the best ways to build your tribe is to go and see and support people’s shows – especially those at around the same level of their career as you.
This is the part of the being a friend practice we talked about earlier. The more connections you make, the more people you are able to support, and the more support you will receive in return.
And again, it’s important to connect with the kind of people that are your people. So, go and see things theatre that are similar to what you want to make. Go and see things by people that inspire you, that speak to something that is meaningful to you.
Don’t ever think that it is the top theatres in the country that are making meaningful work. Get yourself to fringe, local, and regional theatre. There is meaningful work going on in these spaces.
Then, after the show, feel free to go up and chat with the creators. Tell them you enjoyed their work, get to know them a little, and let them get to know you. You never know, you might hit it off. And, as creatives, you will have something in common already anyway.
Afterwards, make sure to reply to a tweet, retweet them, or post an insta story talking about how you enjoyed the show again.
Remember, be a friend to others, and offer your support. If you’re lucky, you may get the same in return.
Workshops
Another tip I have on how to network for actors is to attend workshops. There are lots of different workshops you can attend. These include audition workshops with casting directors, Q&As with writers and producers, and acting workshops with directors.
While these workshops can be useful for understanding the process and getting people to know your face, they can be quite pricey. Therefore it can be useful to research the people at the workshops and the kind of work they do, so you can prioritize people who you really want to connect with.
It is also important to know that, ethically, the people running these workshops are not allowed to use them as a casting opportunity. So, they are not allowed to contact someone for casting purely from the attendance of the workshop.
However, you are able to email them your details after the workshop. Here you can let them know how much you enjoyed meeting them and learning from them, and give them your CV and contact details so that they may be able to contact you in the future.
Contacting people in the industry after the industry means you will be more familiar with them and will make the email more meaningful than if it were entirely cold and out of the blue.
Here are some of the best places to find workshops:
Classes
Another great tip for those who want to learn how to network for actors is to attend classes. These can link to other actors, and also give you opportunities to be in front of directors and writers.
It is becoming more and more common for actors to create their own work. Here, you will be able to make friends with other performers who you connect with and work well together with. You may find that you and the friends that you make all have a story to tell together.
Many classes also give you the opportunity to perform in a showcase, which can give you the opportunity to perform in front of directors, agents, and casting directors. This is a wonderful opportunity to allow these people to see your work.
You can also have a chat with the people who come to see you perform after the show. This way you can get to know people more and see who you connect with.
Not only that, but the chances are your class teacher will also have connections within the industry. If you show them your best work, there may be a chance they could recommend you to someone they know who is looking to cast someone just like you.
Check out these courses complete with showcase or showreel:
Online Events
Attending online events, classes and workshops is another top tip on how to network for actors. These are more accessible, often more affordable, and give you the opportunity to meet a wide range of people.
There are a number of companies that offer online workshops and meetings with people you may not otherwise get to meet. Often they include a Q&A section, so make sure to prepare a question to ask.
A top mention here is actonthis.tv. Here you can attend 7 online workshops a month with top casting directors, agents, actors, writers, producers, directors, and more across the industry. You will also get a supportive community, as well as contact databases with all the important contacts you need within the industry.
If there is one piece of advice I can give you, it would be to sign up for actonthis.tv.
Another great place to find workshops is at Run At It Shouting. They run a number of events both in person and online. The online section offers a range of workshops with people from across the industry and gives the opportunity to work with a range of different people.
Finally, The Actor’s Gym is another great place to connect with industry people online. Here, you can receive online acting classes, self-tape challenges, as well as regular Q&As with people across the industry.
Emailing
Emailing the people in the industry we want to connect with can often feel like something forbidden. Surely, these people don’t want to be harassed by people they don’t know all day? Well, no they don’t. However, sending a few choice emails can be a great way to let people know you exist.
Let’s set out how to email people in the industry properly, as this can be a crucial tool in learning how to network for actors.
- While not necessary, it can be a good idea to speak to them in person first. Attend a workshop or attend a Q&A they’re doing. This way you have a reference point, you will know what they’re like a little and you will stick in their mind more easily.
- Don’t email for no reason – you have to have something to say. This could be to thank them for a recent workshop/event and to give them your details. This could be to introduce yourself. This could be to invite them to a show you’re in or refer them to a TV show you are going to be in. This could be because you have new headshots of a new showreel. Just make sure you aren’t emailing them constantly, and only when you have something to share with them.
- Be respectful, be personable, and don’t be too formal. No one wants to be sucked up to – they wanted to be treated as a human being. So just be friendly, and polite, and make sure you don’t waffle on. Get to the point!
If you’re represented by an agent, make sure to have a chat with them about any emails you want to send out. They will be able to advise you on who best to contact – and you can advise them on who you want to build relationships with.
Networking Events
For those wanting to learn about how to network for actors in the UK, there are a number of dedicated networking events for you to go to and meet people in the industry. These take a number of shapes and forms, and here are some of my top recommended ones.
A play reading group is a great way to keep in practice, find new work, as well as make new friends. Often you can discover new works this way and get to meet their creators, as well as broaden your knowledge of the classics.
For those based in London, Actors & Writers London is a fantastic option.
Masterclass at the Haymarket Theatre also offers 16-30-year-olds the opportunity to read new works, as well as pitch plays, and attend workshops.
Finally, The Actors Reading Group offers an online option for those who want to get involved in a reading circle.
If you’re based in the South West, Tabb is based in Bristol and hosts film screenings, script labs, and “shindigs”, in order for filmmakers in the area to meet each other. This is one of the best options to make creative connections with up-and-comers in the industry.
Finally, there are dedicated events for networking, that offer the chance to attend panels, Q&As, and sometimes opportunities to perform in front of attendees too. Check out UK Actors Tweetup and ActorsProExpo to find out more.
Finally, it can be a great idea to search for actors networking events on websites such as Eventbrite and Meetup, as there are events often posted here in order to meet others within the industry.
Most Important: Find Your True Friends
I’ve mentioned time and time again in this guide on how to network for actors about finding your tribe and forming genuine connections. I simply cannot stress how important it is to find people in this industry who are your friends.
They are the people who will support you no matter what. They will support you as much as you support them. Your friends will cheer you up on your bad days and cheer you on for your good days.
In this industry, we are sharing our creativity, our ideas, and parts of ourselves. When we open our hearts to others, we have the opportunity to make true and meaningful connections – so don’t let this opportunity to go waste.
Seek out the kind, creative, thoughtful, and considerate people in this industry. Seek out the people who understand you, who see things from your point of view. Learn from them, and offer them your support.
Finding your true friends in this industry, whether that’s writers, directors, agents, or other actors, will make your experience so much more enjoyable than sucking up to people just because you feel like they have something you want.
Be kind. Be generous. Build relationships and friendships. You will be just fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you create an acting network?
Some of the best ways to create an acting network are to attend events and classes, connect with people on social media, and support other people’s work. Most importantly, be genuine and just try to make friends with people you genuinely connect with and get along with.
Where can actors network?
Some of the best places for actors to network include acting classes and workshops. You can also attend dedicated networking events, film screenings, and play reading circles. Another great place to network is in the bar after shows. Pub theatres are a great place to do this!
How do I get into acting with no connections?
Even if you lack the privilege of a nepo baby, all is not lost. You can get into acting by attending acting classes, joining casting websites, promoting yourself on social media and attending networking events like the ones listed in this article.
How do I start acting with no agent?
Getting an agent can feel like a catch-22. You need an agent to get work – but you need experience to get an agent. A great way to beat this catch-22 is to do some training. Drama school, workshops, or classes are a great idea. You can also sign up to casting websites and apply for notices there. A great idea is to start making your own work that you can cast yourself in.
How do you get a big break in acting?
Big breaks are far and few between in acting. Almost all actors have worked their way up the ladder, starting with training, moving on to small roles, before making connections and working up to bigger productions. If we interpret a “big break” as getting offered a role in a big production, then the way to do this is to get some training, do some smaller projects, and network within the industry. If you keep working hard at your craft, more opportunities will come your way.
Summing up the Ultimate Guide on How To Network For Actors UK
When you don’t know anyone who is an actor, you can feel really removed from this industry. That is a lonely place to be.
Luckily, as you can see, there are lots of ways to make connections in this industry – and do it in a way that doesn’t feel fake and icky!
The most important things to remember are to:
- Be yourself.
- Build connections with people you actually resonate with on a personal level.
- Focus on making friends and finding your tribe.
- Think about how you can be a friend, rather than how you can have friends.
- Kindness and authenticity go a long way with others – and they should go a long way with you too!
I hope this ultimate guide on how to network for actors in the UK has helped you. Feel free to help others too by posting your favorite network opportunities. The more doors your open for others, the more doors will open for you too.
Wishing you all the best out there, and remember to have fun!
