Actor
What is the work like?
Actors bring characters to life in theatre, film, television and radio. They use speech, movement and expression to interpret a script or improvise a role in a believable and natural way. Actors in musical theatre also use singing and dancing skills.
As an actor, you would work under the guidance of a director, usually as part of a team or ‘cast’ of other actors.
Performing is only a small part of the work. You would also spend a lot of time:- researching your role
- learning lines
- rehearsing
- preparing for and attending auditions
- contacting agents and finding the next job.
In smaller theatre companies, you may also be involved in administration, publicity and staging the performance.
You might also combine performing with other types of work, such as teaching or community arts work.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You can work as an actor without academic qualifications, but the National Council for Drama Training (NCDT) recommends formal training in acting. A recent survey found that 86% of working actors had received professional training at drama school.
At drama school you could take full-time two- or three-year degrees or diplomas, or one-year postgraduate courses in acting or musical theatre. See the NCDT and the Conference of Drama Schools websites for details of accredited courses.
To get into drama school, you must pass at least one audition. Some schools may also ask for A levels or a BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts, but these are not always essential if you show enough talent and commitment. You should check exact entry requirements with each drama school.
You may be able to get funding for certain accredited courses through the Dance and Drama Award Scheme.
Universities offer degrees in drama or theatre studies, although many of these are theoretical and not intended to train professional actors. However, after an academic drama or theatre degree you could choose to take an accredited postgraduate acting course.
It is a good idea to get practical experience in performing through amateur or youth theatre, before you apply for drama school or look for professional acting work.
Some drama schools also run summer schools, workshops and part-time courses, which are not fully NCDT-accredited but would help you to improve your acting skills.
What further training and development can I do?
As a working actor, you would develop your skills and experience through ongoing rehearsing and performing.
You could make yourself more employable by training in further skills like singing or dance. You can also take advanced classes and workshops to maintain and improve your acting skills.
Some roles may give you the chance to learn extra skills, such as a particular style of dance or sporting skills such as horse riding.
You may also choose to train in related areas like directing, scriptwriting, dramatherapy or teaching, to branch out in your career.
Where can I go for more information?
LVS Resource Centre356 Holloway Road
London
N7 6PA
Tel: 020 7619 6160
Minicom: 020 7619 6161
Tel: 0808 100 8094 (Scotland)
Tel: 08000 121 815 (Wales)
London
WC1H 0JJ
Tel: 020 7387 3650
London
SE1 1RQ
Helpline: 0800 093 0444
Upper St Martin’s Lane
London
WC2H 9EG
Tel: 020 7379 6000
London
NW5 1XJ
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
A recent survey of Equity members found that nearly half of people in the UK performance industry had earned less than £6,000 from the profession in the previous year. Only 6% earned more than £30,000 from acting.
There is no set income for actors. Most are self-employed, and are paid a fee for each contract or performance. Contact Equity for details of minimum income rates for members.
What are the hours and working conditions?
Your working hours may be long and irregular. Most theatre performances take place in the evenings, but you may also have daytime shows, rehearsals and auditions. In film and television, days can be very long and involve a lot of waiting around between scenes.
You would need to travel to jobs and auditions, and you may spend long periods away from home if touring with a play or filming on location.
You could work in theatres, rehearsal rooms and film or television studios, or outdoors in street theatre or location filming.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- talent and creativity
- good teamworking skills
- stamina, energy and physical fitness
- versatility and adaptability
- discipline, resilience and a hard-working attitude
- a good memory, for learning parts quickly
- reliability and punctuality
- willingness to accept direction and criticism.
What opportunities are there?
You could work in the theatre (in London's West End, touring companies, local repertory, community and fringe theatre), film, TV and radio. There are also opportunities in theatre in education, voice-overs, commercials and interactive role playing for museums or corporate events.
There is extremely strong competition for acting work. Most jobs are short-term contracts, and full-time ongoing work is rare. Employment depends on talent, and also on discipline, luck and having the right ‘look’.
Gaps between jobs are common, so you may need to do other types of work to earn money when not performing. On average, most actors spend more than half of the year working outside the performance industry.
You will usually be on the books of an agent, who finds you work for a fee or commission. You can also join a casting service like The Spotlight or Casting Call Pro, where your details are available to casting directors and agents. Jobs and auditions are also advertised in The Stage , and by Equity’s Job Information Service.
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