Actor and entrepreneur Ellie De Rohan trained at RADA, performed in Kenneth Branagh's King Lear in the West End and on Broadway, and appeared in Death on the Nile, Anatomy of a Scandal and Netflix's Anatomy of a Scandal. She's also the co-founder of Mona, a platform connecting actors to flexible, well-paid work that fits around auditions and performance careers.
In this episode of The Business of Show Business, host Jamie Body sits down with Ellie to talk honestly about the reality of an acting career: the dizzying highs of a West End transfer, the nine-month gaps with no work, and how to build a survival job that actually respects your skill set.
If you're an actor, dancer, performer or drama school graduate trying to work out how to pay rent without losing your craft, this one's for you.
WHAT WE COVER:
- Going from RADA graduate to Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet, then not working for nine months
- Why the "unicorn" straight-out-of-drama-school success story is rarely the full picture
- The difference between stage and screen acting and what each demands
- How Ellie co-founded Mona and why actors make the best hospitality, promo and events staff
- The transferable skills every performer already has (and undervalues)
- Managing money, tax and cashflow as a freelance creative
- What a healthy, positive relationship with an agent actually looks like
- Writing to industry contacts without stepping on your agent's toes
- Launching Lisa, Mona's UGC and content creation arm, and navigating brand and advertising legislation
- Why you should keep training after drama school, American-style
- Taking care of your "muggle self" and your "magic self"
Ellie's advice for graduates, plus our Lights Questions Action quickfire round covering her favourite jobs, falling off a stage in New York, and working with Kenneth Branagh.
FIND MONA:
Website: monacareers.co.uk
Instagram: @monacareers
ABOUT THE BUSINESS OF SHOW BUSINESS:
The Business of Show Business is the podcast unpacking the commercial reality behind creative careers. Hosted by Jamie Body, performer turned industry commentator, journalist and presenter, each episode brings you honest conversations with the people navigating the business side of the arts.
Now in Season 7, distributed across 45+ countries.
2.How to Survive Between Acting Jobs (Without Losing Your Craft) | Ellie De Rohan, Mona | TBOSB S7 E2
00:44:02
1.You Are the CEO of Your Own Career | The Business of Show Business S7 E1
00:12:47
14.The Truth About Being An Actor Nobody Tells You | Alexa Morden/ The 98% Podcast | The Business of Show Business
00:32:07
13.Savage House: Director Peter Glanz on Making a Period Drama with Richard E. Grant and Claire Foy
00:14:32
12.From Rejection to Ride the Cyclone: How Grace Galloway Built a Career on Her Own Terms
00:42:23
11.What It REALLY Takes To Be A Musical Theatre Swing | MT Swing Life on The Business of Show Business
00:48:30
10.The Experience Economy, AI & Selling Live Events | Dawn Farrow | The Business of Show Business
00:43:29
9.From Playing Fortnite to Centre Stage: West End Star Jacob Fowler on Into the Woods, Heathers & the Business of Performing
00:46:04
8.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
00:32:02
7. bonus"It felt like a fever dream" — California Scheming stars on James McAvoy's debut film
00:12:16
6.Casting Director Secrets: Vertical Dramas, Self-Tapes & How Actors Get Noticed - LIYANNE MARIE
00:48:01
5. bonusDisney Magic & West End Secrets | Hercules & Lion King Cast Interview
00:14:43
4.From The Business of Show Business with Wayne Perrey.
00:49:48
3.The Business of Show Business with Crystal Nicholls
00:44:19
2.The Business of Show Business with Rory Phelan
00:40:53
1.The Business of Show Business with Graeme Pickering
00:47:20
11.The Business of Show Business season 5 recap
00:16:54
10.The Business of Show Business with Courtney Ortiz
00:43:42
9.The Business of Show Business with Constance Devernay-Laurence
00:36:09
8.The Business of Show Business with Sam Marlowe
00:38:54
7.The Business of Show Business with Chelsea Labadini
00:33:23
6.The Business of Show Business with Jack Greaves
00:42:21
5.The Business of Show Business with Bailey Frances
00:40:10
4.The Business of Show Business with Alyn Hawke
00:39:47
3.The Business of Show Business with Sally Frith
00:37:43
2.The Business of Show Business with Chloé Nelkin
00:34:24
1.The Business of Show Business with Adam Lyons
00:35:07
trailerSeason 5 The Business of Show Business Teaser Trailer
00:00:44
7.Utilising your skills and building a career with Agent Senay Taormina
00:59:14
6.Auditioning and training with Acting Coach Kieran Vyas
00:35:29
5.Sorting out your Tax with Theataccounts
00:41:15
4.Theatre Journalism with The Stage newspaper's News Editor Matt Hemley
00:34:35
3.Life on Broadway with J Harrison Ghee
00:34:15
2.Being a musical theatre swing with Jen Caldwell
00:40:07
1.Getting to know your agent with JBR
00:52:19
13.Graphic design and following your passions with Craig Anthony Kelly
00:50:39
12.What is a coach and how can they help you and your career
00:40:42
11.The dancer's mindset with Dr Chelsea Pierotti
00:48:05
10.Must have apps to use as an actor, creative and freelancer
00:17:31
9.Multi-camera directing and leading a team with Stuart Earl
00:40:56
8.How to be a presenter with Emily Rose Adams
00:40:35
7.Should I have a website as an actor, performer or freelancer?
00:11:32
6.Tax for Actors with Owen Woodgate
00:59:11
5.Life after performing. Building a career after injury with Rachel Windsor
00:38:44
4.Rejection, Imposter Syndrome and how to stand out as an actor, creative and freelancer.
00:13:38
3.Property for Performers - Getting on the ladder
00:54:10
2.Mental health and self care in the arts with Applause for thought
00:42:57
1.What is a personal brand and why you need one.
00:14:52
14.Season 2 wrap up
00:04:18
13.Dancing from stage to screen with Yasmin Harrison
00:39:11
12.Paid social media advertising and boosting posts
00:10:53
11.Disability in the arts & pushing boundaries with Joseph Fletcher
00:41:35
10.Finding your side hustle as a creative or freelancer
00:13:24
9.PR in the arts with Alex Buchanan
00:43:45
8.Improving your focus, talking kinder to yourself and how NLP can help you
00:14:48
7.Choreography and having courage to take the next step with Chris Whittaker
00:45:30
6.Networking for creatives, freelancers and performers
00:12:58
5.Working in TV for creatives with Lisa Douglas
00:51:53
4.Creating your own content as a creative and freelancer
00:10:00
3.Being an agent with Simon Mayhew
00:49:01
2.Time management for creatives and freelancers
00:11:02
1.Creative Director Danielle Drayton Talks Events and Networking
00:43:29
trailerTrailer for Season 2 of The Business of Show Business
00:01:57
14.Get to know Jamie Body and season 1 recap
00:20:09
13.The importance of showreels and transitional skills in the arts with Jake Waby
00:39:37
12.Social media & marketing FAQs for creatives and freelancers
00:22:13
11.Spotting a gap in the entertainment industry and auditioning with Jenny Patrone
00:38:51
10. bonusChat with Kane Silver from the Ins and Outs Podcast
00:32:35
9. bonusPositive mental health online and chat with Industry Minds
00:59:35
8.The business of voice over acting and more with Marisa Dargahi
00:44:09
7.The Freelancer's Toolkit
00:21:56
6.Behind the casting panel with Graeme Pickering
00:58:08
5.What to Post on Social Media for performers and creatives
00:15:51
4.Entrepreneurship and the many roles we do as creatives with Rosina Andrews
00:34:09
3.Online presence: Making sure the offline and online you match
00:17:23
2.How to rock a niche and knowing your personal brand with Nileeka Bose
