This empowering, informative guide explains everything actors need to know about agents - how to find one, what they do, and how to work with them effectively to help you succeed in your career.

If you're currently seeking an agent, discover how to research and contact them, and what they're looking for in their clients. And if you already have one, learn how to manage and get the most out of this crucial relationship.

Also included are invaluable tips on how to write a great CV; obtain attention-grabbing headshots, showreels and voicereels; prepare for and excel at auditions; embrace social media; protect your mental health; and much more.

The Compact Guides are pocket-sized introductions for actors and theatremakers, each tackling a key topic in a clear and comprehensive way. Written by industry professionals with extensive hands-on experience of their subject, they provide you with maximum information in minimum time.

JBR (He/They) is a non-binary creative. He began his career in the 1980s as a child performer with English National Opera, and has spent more than three decades in the industry, exploring creativity and working across a number of fields. He has been an actor, a director, a writer, a designer, a drag queen, a producer, a dramaturg, a teacher, a comedy booker, a publican, a marketing manager and an agent. He started as an agent at Simon & How before setting up on his own as JBR Creative Management, where he works with a small group of brilliant, multi-platform creatives who keep him on his toes, keep him inspired, and keep him learning about the power of creativity.

He holds degrees from Bristol University and Mountview, and a PGCE from London Metropolitan. As a writer, he was contributing editor of First Act newspaper, and editor of Fourthwall Magazine & The Drama Student. He has contributed to the Irish Independent, Musical Stages, PostScript, BritishTheatre.com, and is a columnist for AussieTheatre.com.au. He is often called upon as a judge and has judged film festivals, sat on the Olivier Awards public panel, judged the Amateur Stages playwriting competition, the Stiles + Drewe Mentorship Award, and the New UK Musicals singing competition. He is a regular guest lecturer at a number of UK drama schools.