The Business of Show Business

Jamie Body
  • 5.0 (46)
  • PERFORMING ARTS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

A podcast to help unpack the skills, stories, and side hustles behind the entertainment and creative industries. So if you're ready to thrive, not just survive, in the showbiz and arts & culture sectors, you're in the right place. A series of solo shows and interviews to help creatives with the business of show business. Learn how to market yourself as a creative and how to boss your social media and online presence. Great for actors, dancers, singers, producers, writers and those in the creative industries.

  1. 29 APR

    The Experience Economy, AI & Selling Live Events | Dawn Farrow | The Business of Show Business

    Today Jamie is joined by Dawn Farrow — freelance marketing and sales consultant, founder of On Sale Live, and the woman behind over 36 million tickets sold across theatre, immersive experiences, and live entertainment. Exhibition News called her the accidental architect of a live experience revolution, and after this conversation, you'll understand exactly why. They get into the real business of selling live experiences — from why some shows make a profit and others barely break even, to the biggest red flags Dawn sees when producers pitch to her. Dawn shares the lessons she learned building and then closing her own agency, Boom Ents (home to clients like Walking With Dinosaurs, Luna Cinema, and Birmingham Royal Ballet), and why walking away was her proudest career moment. They also talk honestly about: - Why "this show is for everyone" is the fastest way to fail - What performers already know about sales that most marketers don't - How AI is changing the experience economy (and why it's a massive yes) - The difference between marketing and just making a poster - Her new event, On Sale Live — the first conference built purely for sales, marketing, and comms professionals in the experience economy Whether you're a performer, a producer, a marketer, or a freelancer trying to figure out how to sell yourself, this one is packed. 🎟️ Find out more about On Sale Live: https://www.onsale.live/ 🔗 Connect with Dawn on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/dawn-farrow 🌐 The Business of Show Business: jamiebody.com Subscribe for new episodes every week — the business side of the entertainment industry, with the people who actually know it.

    44 min

  2. 15 APR

    From Playing Fortnite to Centre Stage: West End Star Jacob Fowler on Into the Woods, Heathers & the Business of Performing

    What's it really like to perform eight shows a week in a musical — or to be on standby, one minute playing Fortnite, the next going on at the Bridge Theatre? This week, Jamie Body is joined by West End performer Jacob Fowler — known for his iconic run as JD in Heathers the Musical, the UK Tour of The Addams Family, and currently appearing in Into the Woods at the Bridge Theatre, one of the most-nominated Olivier shows of the year. In this episode, we cover: 🎭 What life as a standby is REALLY like (including a mid-show emergency at the Bridge) 🎤 How Jacob went from messaging Paul Taylor Mills on Instagram to playing JD over 350 times 🌳 The audition for Into the Woods — singing in a church pew with the director and creative team 📺 Winning Little Mix: The Search and supporting Little Mix on their arena tour (including three nights at the O2) 💼 Co-owning a Theatre Train franchise, running solo workshop tours of 15 cities in two weeks, and why every performer should think like a business owner 📱 Jacob's honest take on social media, networking, and shooting your shot with casting directors Whether you're a musical theatre fan, a performer navigating the industry, or just obsessed with all things West End — this one's for you. 🎙️ The Business of Show Business is hosted by Jamie Body. Subscribe for new episodes and don't forget to follow on social media #IntoTheWoods #HeathersMusical #WestEnd #MusicalTheatre #BusinessOfShowBusiness

    46 min

  3. 10 APR

    Improv Is "Yoga for Soft Skills", SNL UK Is Changing British Comedy and Why Every Creative Should Do Improv (Even If You're Terrified) | Steve Roe, Hoopla Improv

    Steve Roe founded Hoopla Improv above a pub in Balham 20 years ago. Today it's one of London's most beloved comedy institutions — and the improv school quietly behind some of the biggest names in British comedy, including members of the SNL UK cast and writing team. In this bonus episode of The Business of Show Business, Jamie sits down with Steve to talk about building a culture-led arts business from scratch, why improv is one of the most underrated career skills you can have, and what the arrival of SNL UK means for the UK comedy and improv scene. In this episode: How Hoopla grew from a free pub drop-in to a London-wide improv institutionWhy SNL UK reached out to Hoopla — and what happened nextImprov as "yoga for soft skills" (and why corporates are catching on)The myth of the impoverished artist — and why it's holding creatives backHow social media and TikTok are reshaping British comedyWhy the Edinburgh Fringe is no longer the only pathHoopla's 20th Anniversary Festival: April–July 2025How to start improv even if you're absolutely terrified 🎟️ Find out more about Hoopla's 20th Anniversary Festival: hooplaimprov.com 🎙️ The Business of Show Business is the podcast for performers, creatives, and entertainment industry professionals who want to understand how the business really works — from the inside. Subscribe for new episodes every fortnight.

    32 min

  4. 6 APR ·  BONUS

    "It felt like a fever dream" — California Scheming stars on James McAvoy's debut film

    Jamie Body got a sneaky peek press screening of California Scheming, the directorial debut of James McAvoy, and sat down with stars Seamus McLean Ross and Samuel Bottomley for a candid chat about playing morally questionable characters, the wild true story behind the film, working with McAvoy on set, regionality in the UK acting industry, and the survival jobs that kept them going before the work came in. California Scheming is in cinemas from April 10th. 🎙️ The Business of Show Business is the podcast exploring the industry behind the industry — for performers, creatives and entertainment professionals. 🔔 Subscribe for more industry insights, interviews and commentary. ⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:30 What drew them to the script? 02:00 Improv skills as an actor 03:30 Playing morally dubious characters 06:00 Art imitating life — actors vs musicians chasing the dream 08:00 Survival jobs before the big break 09:30 The audition process 11:00 Working with James McAvoy 13:30 Regionality — do you need to move to London? #CaliforniaScheming #JamesMcAvoy #BusinessOfShowBusiness

    12 min

  5. 1 APR

    Casting Director Secrets: Vertical Dramas, Self-Tapes & How Actors Get Noticed - LIYANNE MARIE

    Jamie Body sits down with multi-genre casting director Liyanne Marie to pull back the curtain on one of the most misunderstood roles in the entertainment industry and to explore the format that's quietly reshaping it. Liyanne is one of the first casting directors in the UK to be seriously working in vertical drama — the short-form, portrait-mode content exploding on mobile — and she gives an honest, insider view of where it's heading and what it means for working actors right now.Whether you're a performer trying to get in the room, a dancer wondering how to pivot your career, or just curious about where the industry is going, this one is packed with practical, no-nonsense advice.In this episode: - What a casting director actually does (and why the role is so undervalued) - What vertical dramas are and why the UK industry is taking notice - How to email a casting director without getting ignored - What your digital kit should look like — headshots, showreels, social media - Why getting seen is already a win, even if you don't book the job - The self-tape mistakes actors make again and again - How Liyanne went from dancer to one of the UK's leading casting directors Vertical dramas cast by Liyanne: Mafia Lover, The Mafia Obsession, Pride and Prejudice (vertical), Saving Nora 🎙️ Subscribe for weekly episodes on the business of performing arts and entertainment. #CastingDirector #VerticalDrama #ActingTips #UKActors #ShortFormDrama

    48 min

  6. 19 MAR ·  BONUS

    Disney Magic & West End Secrets | Hercules & Lion King Cast Interview

    Disney's The Lion King and Disney's Hercules are currently running in London's West End. Disney's The Lion King and Disney's Hercules are lighting up London’s West End — and in this exclusive bonus episode, we go behind the scenes with two incredible stars from these iconic productions. Have you ever wondered what it really takes to perform in a West End musical? From audition songs to onstage surprises, this interview gives you a rare insight into the journey, discipline, and magic behind world-class theatre. 🎭 The Business of Show Business host Jamie Body sits down with: Thenjiwe Nofelmele (Rafiki – The Lion King)Trevor Dion Nicholas (Phil – Hercules) In this 15-minute interview, they share: ✨ The songs that helped them land their roles ✨ Honest West End audition tips for aspiring performers ✨ What it’s like performing in major Disney productions ✨ Fun onstage banter and behind-the-scenes moments ✨ Advice for anyone dreaming of a career in musical theatre Whether you're a drama student, Disney fan, or theatre lover, this episode is packed with inspiration, insight, and a touch of Disney magic.

    15 min

  7. 18 MAR

    From The Business of Show Business with Wayne Perrey.

    From West End Star to TV Presenter | Wayne Perrey on Rent, Bombay Dreams & Breaking Into TV Wayne Perrey joins Business of Show Business to share his journey from the West End stage to television presenting. As a performer in the original West End casts of Rent and Bombay Dreams, Wayne built a career in musical theatre before successfully transitioning into TV as a presenter and actor. In this episode, we talk about the realities of performing in landmark West End productions, the transferable skills between stage and screen, and how performers can develop the confidence and communication skills needed to become TV presenters. If you're interested in musical theatre careers, the West End industry, or breaking into television presenting, this episode offers practical insight from someone who has successfully done both. 🎭 Topics we cover: • Life in the original West End productions of Rent and Bombay Dreams • The skills performers develop on stage that work for TV • How actors can transition into presenting • Building confidence and communication on camera • The business side of show business Subscribe for more conversations with performers, producers and creatives about the real business behind the entertainment industry.

    50 min

  8. 4 MAR

    The Business of Show Business with Crystal Nicholls

    Crystal Nicholls is a valid member of the dance charity organisation Dancers Career Development and works heavily as a coach supporting creatives. Previously she worked as a dancer and musical theatre performer, including a 6 year run in The Lion King in the West End. In this episode, Crystal and journalist and presenter Jamie Body discuss the mindset needed to be a performer, what organisations can support you while in your career and after and the transferable skills performers have. Crystal's website - https://www.crystalnicholls.com/ Dancers Career Development - https://thedcd.org.uk/

    44 min
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About

A podcast to help unpack the skills, stories, and side hustles behind the entertainment and creative industries. So if you're ready to thrive, not just survive, in the showbiz and arts & culture sectors, you're in the right place. A series of solo shows and interviews to help creatives with the business of show business. Learn how to market yourself as a creative and how to boss your social media and online presence. Great for actors, dancers, singers, producers, writers and those in the creative industries.

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