Gareth Bennett-Ryan

Since graduating in 2007, Gareth has started to build a promising acting career, with various stage roles followed by his first film appearance.

The best thing about studying at BSA was the people I met and some of the people I got to work with. Having support for three solid years is amazing, and you don't realise how much you will miss and need it once you leave.

My career since has been slow but going in the right direction. Midnight matinees at Shakespeare's Globe are probably the highlight. I did a film called Mercenaries too, which was no Hollywood blockbuster, but Billy Zane was in it and it had a decent budget, and that's good for me. I did panto at Bury St Edmunds Theatre Royal in 2010 too and that was fun.

Drag agents to your showcase! Don't ever, ever be scared of them; the first year after you graduate is really important, you have to hit the ground running and it's very hard to do this without one. When you get a (decent) agent, start working harder than ever before – you are in charge of your career not them.

Since graduating in 2007, Gareth has started to build a promising acting career, with various stage roles followed by his first film appearance alongside Hollywood star Billy Zane.