AN actor has given Wrexham Glyndwr University students a glimpse into negotiating the ups and downs of the industry.

Wrexham-born Ruby Snape – who has forged a career on stage and screen for 30 years – gave a Creative Futures talk entitled The Nuts and Bolts of the Acting Industry at the Centre for the Creative Industries on Plas Coch campus.

“I think the main message I wanted to get across today is keep on practising and be positive, carry on honing your craft and don’t be complacent and think things will fall in your lap – you’ve got to put yourself out there,” she said.

Ruby, who grew up in Trevor near Llangollen, attended the Guildford School of Acting before embarking on a professional career that has included roles in Coronation Street, Casualty, Holby City, Doctors and hit ITV comedy The Grimleys, where she played PE teacher Miss Thing. She also featured in Neil Jordan’s vampire thriller Byzantium.

Her West End credits include in Ducktastic at the Albery Theatre, directed by Sir Kenneth Branagh, and Don’t Dress for Dinner at the Duchess Theatre.

Students on the BA (Hons) Theatre, Television and Performance degree programme were given insights into the life of a working actor. Topics included headshots, promotion on social media, online directories, preparing a CV and contacting an agent.

Ruby took students through her process of preparing for an audition and dealing with rejections. They also heard how the former Ysgol Dinas Bran pupil has continuously looked to develop her skills, branching out into voice-over work for adverts and animation.

She also emphasised the importance of being polite and professional at all times with everyone involved in a production.

Ruby’s studies at Guildford gave her a firm grounding in theatre, but focused less on TV – and the actress told students how she had to hone the craft of television acting, which requires a different approach to stage performance, with each new job.

One of her first TV roles was in a mini-series with Hollywood star Roy Scheider, of Jaws and The French Connection fame.

She said: “I did the first take and the director came up to me and said ‘Ruby, Roy’s standing right next to you, not on the other side of Wembley Stadium!

“I was mortified but I learnt from that.”

Creative Futures events are dedicated to helping to students develop their employability as well as raising the quality of creative work being developed in the region.

Ruby added: “I’ve done a lot of corporate events where I’ve facilitated, but I’ve never done anything for drama students before and it’s been really brilliant, I’ve really enjoyed it.

“Also, it reiterates to me that it’s good to remind myself of all these things I’m telling the students, because sometimes you forget certain things; so it’s been a really fantastic exercise.”

Theatre and Performance lecturer, Rebecca Woodford-Smith, said that Ruby’s talk reflected the opportunities that students have for developing their theatre and television skills.

Rebecca said: “It’s a brilliant opportunity for students to get input from someone who’s working in the industry, someone who’s living and breathing it and experiencing the highs and the lows. Ruby’s been great in terms of sharing that advice about being professional, prepared and polite.

“I think what she said about keeping up to date with your skills and practising is really helpful for our students.”

Elen Mai Nefydd, programme leader for Theatre, TV and Performance at Glyndwr, added: “The fact that Ruby is based locally but succeeding to work Nationally is really important for our students to hear and understand, so that working in the Performing Arts industry doesn’t always mean that you need to be based in large cities like London and Manchester to succeed.”