Acting in London : First Steps in a NewCity

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" Rest and self-care are so important. When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve others from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.”

– Eleanor Brownn

It’s been a whirlwind few months. At the end of this year, I finally took the leap and joined a theatrical and modeling agency here in London. It still feels surreal to say that out loud. After years of training, workshops, and sending out countless self-tapes, to have representation in this city—the beating heart of theatre, television, and fashion, feels like a milestone. But if there’s one thing I’ve already learned, it’s that getting signed is just the beginning.

Surviving and Thriving in London

London is everything people say: exciting, buzzing, inspiring… and expensive. Finding accommodation that doesn’t eat up your entire paycheck is an art form in itself. Most new actors I’ve met share flats with other creatives, sometimes three or four in one place. It’s not glamorous, but it keeps costs down and builds a sense of community. That’s important, because the industry can feel isolating at times. Having flatmates who “get it” makes the hustle lighter.

Wellbeing is another big topic. London moves fast, and it’s easy to burn out chasing auditions, working side jobs, and trying to network. I’ve started treating self-care like part of the job: morning runs along the Thames, meditation apps, and regular phone calls back home. Without that balance, the city can swallow you whole.

Setting Yourself Up Professionally

One of the first tasks my agency advised was updating my headshots. In London, your headshot is your calling card. Casting directors see hundreds of faces daily, so quality is everything. I invested in a photographer who specializes in actors, someone who understands how to bring out personality rather than just take a pretty picture. It’s money well spent.

Training never stops either. Even though I’ve graduated from formal courses, workshops are everywhere here: Shakespeare intensives, screen-acting classes, accent coaching, even improv nights in and open mics in pub basements. Each one keeps you sharp and, just as importantly, connects you to other actors.

Auditions and the Waiting Game

Auditioning in London is a lesson in resilience. Sometimes you’ll prep for days, walk into the room, give it your all… and hear nothing back. Other times, you’ll be called in last minute and land a recall. The unpredictability can be exhausting, but I’ve come to see auditions as mini performances in their own right. They’re opportunities to practice, to be seen, and to learn.

Looking Ahead

As 2019 comes to a close, I feel both overwhelmed and grateful. London is a tough city to crack, and the acting world even tougher. But there’s a strange beauty in starting at the bottom: every small step feels like progress.

To anyone considering making the move—yes, it’s hard. Yes, it’s competitive. But it’s also alive with possibility. If you can survive the rent, the rejection, and the relentless pace, you’ll find a city full of stages waiting for you.

Here’s to 2020: more auditions, more lessons, and hopefully, more stories to tell.

Much Love,

Delia

(2019 Reflections)