An Actor's Alphabet

An A to Z of Some Stuff I've Learnt and Some Stuff I'm Still Learning

Julie Hesmondhalgh

• Publisher: Nick Hern Books
• Year: 2022
• Print ISBN: 9781839041211
• eBook ISBN: 9781788506175
• Topic: Media & Performing Arts
• Subtopic: Acting & Auditioning

In this candid and empowering A to Z of being an actor, Julie Hesmondhalgh draws on her decades of experience on stage and screen – including in massively popular television shows such as Broadchurch, Happy Valley and Coronation Street – to lift the lid on the realities of life in today's industry, and show you how to navigate it.

She shares practical advice on preparing for roles (don't be afraid of looking like a dick), managing the ups and downs of your career (and how to be out of work without losing your mind), dealing with failure (and success), not constantly comparing yourself to others (bloody hard, but try), looking after your mental health, and the power of knowing when to say 'no'.

Passionate about the arts, she makes a compelling case for their importance to society, but also calls out the industry on where it continues to fall short – including a clear-eyed assessment of what needs to change to make it safer and healthier, more accessible and inclusive.

Written with refreshing honesty and self-deprecating humour, An Actor's Alphabet is a book for anyone who dreams of becoming an actor, wants to be a better one, or just wants to learn what being one is really like.

'Endearingly honest, funny and eye-opening. I loved it!' Francesca Martinez

'Like its author, this book is brimming with wisdom, intelligence, empathy and humanity... An absolute must!' Maxine Peake

'This is the best book on acting and being an actor I've read… Julie Hesmondhalgh is the mentor/best friend/guide we all need in these troubled times' Paul Chahidi

'Wonderful… not just a book about acting, but also about life. Us. The world. Humanity. Battling through this shit and finding time for a hug. I adore it.' Russell T Davies

'A must-read, whether you've been on the artist's journey for years or are just starting out' Shobna Gulati

'This book is bold, brash, sincere and angry. It regrets nothing and questions everything… Treasure it like we should treasure Julie' Jack Thorne

'A generous gift to actors, full of honesty, hope and wit. There is loads of tangible advice, not just for acting but for life' Anna Jordan

'Julie's book is honest, challenging and helpful. A great read' Andy Nyman

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title page
• Contents
• Dedication
• Introduction
• Activism
• Body Issues
• Class, Casting and Cultural Capital
• Drama School
• Equality in Education
• Fame, Failure and Filling the Well
• Growing (Older)
• Harassment and Bullying
• Insecurity and Imposter Syndrome
• Jealousy
• Kids and Other Caring Responsibilities
• Line-learning
• Mental Health
• No – and How to Say It
• Openness
• Process
• Quiet Times – and How to Cope with Them
• Rehearsals, Rehearsal Rooms and Representation
• Social Media
• Trauma and Triggering
• Unions
• VAT, Income Tax, and Other Boring but Important Stuff
• Work – Paid and Unpaid, and Making Your Own
• X-rated – Sex, Nudity, and the Rise of the Intimacy Coordinator
• Young Artists – and What You Can Do to Help
• Zoom (and Self-tapes), Zen and Zeal
• Appendix of Resources and Reading
• Acknowledgements
• About the Author
• Praise for An Actor’s Alphabet
• Copyright Information