An interview with Terence Rodia, Founder of YOU Management
The performing arts industry can be difficult to access for young, aspiring talent. Indeed, research from organisations such as Equity, Arts Council England and A New Direction indicates that many young people – particularly from working-class and ethnic minority backgrounds – feel excluded from the entertainment industry. This is largely due to high costs, inadequate access to performing arts education, and a lack of diversity and inclusion – a clear indicator that we need to foster a more supportive, nurturing and inclusive environment.
To discuss this further, Terence Rodia, founder of global talent agency – YOU Management – explores the issues facing the industry and how professionals can create a more nurturing and inclusive culture.
YOU Management is built on heart and understanding. What led you to develop this ethos and focus on nurturing aspiring professionals?
When I was performing, my agent handled things in a very business-first manner, with little regard for my needs, feelings or wellbeing as an artist. I know first-hand how demotivating this can be, so, I founded an agency with a difference – one that truly cares about the artists it represents. The name, YOU Management, reflects this. Because it’s about you as an artist; the people we support always come first.
You’re very much dedicated to helping young people overcome industry barriers. In your experience, what’s one of the primary challenges that aspiring professionals face?
Every young performer will have asked themselves “Am I good enough?” or “Will I ever achieve anything?” at some point. This self-doubt can be paralysing, potentially putting an end to their careers. Auditions are naturally nerve-wracking, and this anxiety affects everything from our voices and performance to the way we come across when we walk into the room.
So, my advice to aspiring professionals is to approach auditions as though you’re already five years in. Imagining that you’ve secured some great roles – and knowing that you have a good agent – can help to combat the anxiety. The best agents will also remind you that, if you don’t get the job, it’s not because you’re not talented. You simply weren’t right for that particular role. A sense of perspective is vital for protecting mental health in such competitive environments.
How do you see the lack of such mentorship and guidance affecting young talent?
Without invested mentorship from experienced, caring professionals, young people entering the industry will feel lost. They need to hear personal accounts to realise we’ve all been there and mistakes are nothing to beat ourselves up about. In one of my first auditions, for example, I sang Happy Birthday to Brian May because I hadn’t prepared a song. It was really embarrassing, but shows that everyone fails at some point. Plus, when I apologised to Brian years later, he didn’t even remember. So, one bad audition isn’t the end of the world. It’s vital that industry veterans share these kinds of stories to help young people see that failure is part of the journey – not the end of their career.
What else can industry leaders do to nurture new talent?
Be open to reality. Schools tend to scare students, telling them it’s tough and to expect poor treatment. But that’s not really the case anymore. Yes, there are still some tough directors and choreographers out there – but the industry as a whole is improving. We’ve made some great progress towards inclusivity in recent years, for example – not just in terms of gender and ethnicity but also in recognising and accommodating disability.
There’s always room for improvement, of course, but I believe this next generation of producers, casting directors and creatives are aware of the need for change. Things aren’t what they were ten to twenty years ago, where casting directors wouldn’t even issue a ‘no’ after auditions, leaving people anxious and nervous. Nowadays, there’s a better code of conduct, centred around respect and transparency – and leaders need to make young people thinking about entering the arts aware of that.
You mentioned that there’s room for improvement. Ideally, what would an inclusive culture in the arts look like? What steps can be taken to ensure equal opportunities for success regardless of background?
We need more support from the government. Things have come a long way since I started out as a performer, but we need to advocate for better funding and resources for the arts, especially in early education, if opportunities are to be truly accessible to all. This means supporting communities with fewer resources and developing programmes in schools without access to arts funding, for example. It’s about extending inclusivity beyond casting and drama schools into the early stages of development.
What is YOU Management doing to foster inclusivity and support emerging talent?
At YOU Management, we believe in potential, not just signing established stars. So, we review each and every application we receive, regardless of whether the applicant has trained at a prestigious drama school. We also try to see as many people as possible at auditions, giving those who might not have had the chance to study at a top institution the opportunity to shine. Our role is to notice raw, undeveloped talent and nurture it into achievement, guiding young people through the process to help them become successful in the arts.
And what’s your vision for the future? What role do you see YOU Management playing moving forward?
My ultimate goal is to create a foundation to support young people without the financial means to go to drama school. It’s something I’m really passionate about and hope to introduce it to the YOU Management brand soon.
Finally, what advice would you give to aspiring professionals who feel overlooked or unsupported?
Don’t give up. All performers have experienced rejection – and being out of work is just an inevitable part of a career in the arts. It’s the support you seek along the way that gets you through.
