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Dear John...

John Byrne answers your queries in his weekly showbusiness advice column.

• Getting started as a comic
• Should I sing for free?
• Should I change my agent?
• Dyslexia and literacy problems
• Should I change my agent? pt 2
• Using TV appearance to build career
• Partner jealous of success
• Getting noticed in a small town
• Career is coming before personal life
• Am I funny enough?
• Not-so-pushy mum
• Double act disintegration
• No respite from resting
• Training or experience
• Career goals when making choices
• I want to be an actor
• Finding a decent agent
• Seasoned performer lacks confidence
• Audition worries - Can't Dance
• Setting up improv comedy classes
• Staying focussed
• Move to Hollywood and dealing with let-downs
• Should I encourage them to follow in my footsteps?
• Fundraising frets
• Sexism in presenting
• Off-stage persona concerns
• Comedy writers - a dying breed?
• Would writing soaps lead to performing?
• Websites as promotional tools
• Quick-fix vocal coaching
• Declaring a disability
• Self-promotion at festivals
• Gospel singing - UK or America?
• Where do I learn the comedy trade?
• Should I train or take the TV gig?
• How do I expand my act for festivals?
• Can auditions stop if I swap my agent?
• Am I too old to progress my career further?
• Tax worries
• Abusive and controlling boyfriend
• Are talent conventions good investments?
• How can I help my singer fight nerves?
• Multi-talented but still unemployed
• Any advice for my first professional gig?
• No agent, no work - how do I break this catch-22?
• How do I start 'networking'?
• I'm a singer who's been asked to compere a wedding. Help!
• Confidence coaching
• Teaching AND acting?
• Any tips for starting my own not-for-profit club?
• How do I support my child?
• Vocal courses for radio drama?
• How do I combine performing with good parenting?
• How can I utilise my resting time more effectively?
• How can I be a good director?
• Comedy stunts - am I being a prima donna?
• How do I get a spot at a festival?
• How can I make my act appeal to all ages?
• What can I do to improve my TV appearances?
• How do I get started on the internet?
• What to do after the Edinburgh Festival
• How do I become a lookalike or tribute act?
• How do I become a runner?
• Ongoing health problems when touring
• Classically trained - how will non-classical work affect my abilities?
• How do I interact with puppets as a presenter?
• Is it too late for me to have a dance career?
• Where do I start if I want to write my own show?
• How can I stop my CVs going in the bin marked 'no thanks'?
• How should I approach my big TV audition?
• Solo or join a band?
• How do I use my TV appearance to further my career?
• How do I get work in murder mystery/roleplay?
• Help! I've got the winter blues
• Is a career in comedy harder for women?
• How can I feel safer performing as a solo female?
• How do I produce a spectacular show with complete amateurs?
• Giving to charity - where do I start?
• What's the best advice you can give me?
• Tips for performing in pantomime?
• Tips for voiceover demo tapes
• Websites for performers
• How do I sell my act at a showcase?
• How do I improve my off-stage confidence?
• Should I try busking, even though I'm classically trained?
• How do I market my film?
• Who should I be a tribute to?
• First title role - how do I deliver that star performance?
• Diets, size and how to get the right look
• Affordable promotional material
• How do I create a unique performing style for my magic act?
• How do I become a performer in a West End role?
• Backing tracks vs live band
• Will reality shows teach me anything?
• How do I promote my own music?
• Is showbusiness different now than it used to be?
• How do I make my music appeal to a wide audience?
• I had time out to have a family - have I left it too late to go back to acting?
• How do I sell my songs to other artists?
• Do I have to move to the big city to make it?
• How do I make the most of my graduate showcase?
• How do I adapt my act to make it suitable for cruise ship work?
• I haven't had my TV break yet. Should I give up?
• Am I too modern for holiday centres?
• How do I involve local people in our theatre?
• How do I stand out when given a song to learn?
• Are there any differences when performing outdoors?
• Can a pop vocalist sing opera?
• I want to be a presenter
• Should my show have a theme and what one?
• Is stand-up really the 'hardest job in the world'?
• Should I play covers or my own material?
• Special: Tsakane Valentine Maswanganyi and ENO offer singing advice
• Advice for my first period role
• The differences between dramatic and musical theatre training
• Choosing songs for musical auditions
• How do I make the transition from childhood success into adult career?
• How do I encourage my child with special needs with their performing?
• Understudy fears
• Professional photos
• Using a showcase performance to further my career
• How can I make my act stand out?
• How hard is it to achieve long-term success?
• How should I tailor my act for the Christmas market?
• How can I get more work?
• How do I use a panto role to further my career for the rest of the year?
• Should I alter my performance to suit venue size?
• How can I turn my talents into a charity contribution?
• The benefits of ongoing vocal training
• Pearls of wisdom from 2007
• How do I capitalise on last year's success?
• Tips for those starting out
• Paying for your own show
• Promotional material
• Collaboration or going solo?
• Do I need to train for a career in a traditional dance?
• How can I improve my chances of employment as an older performer?
• How do I get into voiceover work?
• Can I promote my own music without a big marketing budget?
• Is it possible to run a business AND be a performer?
• Special: The benefits of teaching summer schools
• Will I progress more as a solo dancer or if I join a company?
• How do I make my performance moving but not worthy?
• Advice for first professional role after drama school
• Auditions and callbacks but no jobs - help!
• Tribute work solo or with a band?
• Will a record deal spoil my artistic vision?
• Train, read or just do it?
• Are recreational drugs all just part of the business?
• Using a TV talent show appearance to build a career
• Do classic groups have something the modern industry has lost?
• Tips for your first touring show
• Is there a difference between contemporary and classical work?
• Is session work hard to get into?
• Specialising from the outset
• What's the difference between performing in a show and singing/dancing generally?
• Collaborating with other artists
• Advice for taking my act to Edinburgh
• Adapting an act to a mixed age audience at festivals
• Using festival gigs to develop a regular following
• Making the most of a festival appearance
• What should I work on next after my first successful show?
• Making the most of your first Edinburgh Festival
• Is it better to be a Jack of all trades or master of one?
• Do you have to move to London to be an actor?

John Byrne is a showbusiness life coach, the author of several bestselling career guides for performers and writers including The Agent Ebook and a regular broadcaster on TV and radio. Listen/talk to John live on the Friday edition of Colourful Mornings with Amina Taylor 9am-12am Colourful Radio "Talk Radio with Soul". Listen live and check out previous shows online at www.colourfulradio.com

Feedback/Queries are welcome.
(Please note that letters will be assumed to be for publication unless otherwise indicated. Name and address must be supplied but can be witheld on request).