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.

They 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. Actors also spend a lot of time:

• researching their role
• learning lines
• rehearsing
• preparing for and attending auditions
• contacting agents and finding the next job.

In smaller theatre companies, actors may be involved in administration, publicity and staging the performance.

Hours and Environment

As an actor you may have to work long and irregular hours. Most theatre performances take place in the evenings, but you may also have daytime performances, rehearsals and auditions. In film and television, days can be very long and involve a lot of waiting around between scenes.

You will 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 indoors in theatres, rehearsal rooms and film or television studios, or outdoors in street theatre or when filming outside.

Skills and Interests

To be an actor you need to:

• be talented and creative
• work well in a team
• have stamina, energy and physical fitness
• be versatile and adaptable
• be disciplined, hard-working and resilient
• have a good memory, for learning parts quickly
• be reliable and punctual
• be able to accept direction and criticism.

Entry

You can work as an actor without formal qualifications, but the National Council for Drama Training (NCDT) recommends formal training at drama school. A recent survey found that 86% of working actors had received professional training.

Drama schools offer 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 information on accredited courses.

To get into drama school you must pass one or more auditions. Some schools may also ask for A levels/Highers or a BTEC/SQA 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.

Funding for accredited courses may be available through the Learning and Skills Council’s Dance and Drama Award Scheme.

It is a good idea to gain practical experience in performing, through amateur or youth theatre.

There are degrees in drama or theatre studies, but many of these are mainly academic and not intended to train professional actors. However, you could go on to take an accredited postgraduate course.

Some drama schools also run summer schools, workshops and part-time courses, which are not fully NCDT-accredited but allow you to improve your acting skills.

Training

As a working actor, you will develop your skills and experience through ongoing rehearsing and performing.

You may sometimes need to learn a particular skill (such as a style of dance) for a role.

You could make yourself more employable by training in other skills like singing or dance. You can also take advanced classes and workshops to maintain and improve your acting skills.

You may also choose to train in related areas like directing, scriptwriting, dramatherapy or teaching, to branch out in your career.

Opportunities

There is extremely strong competition for acting work. Most acting jobs are short-term contracts, and full-time ongoing work is rare.

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.

Employment depends on talent, and also on discipline, luck and having the right ‘look’.

Membership of Equity (the performers’ union) is essential for most acting jobs. See their website for information on how to qualify for an Equity card.

As an actor you could work in:

• the theatre - in London's West End, touring companies, local repertory, community and fringe theatre
• film, television and radio
• theatre in education
• voice-overs
• commercials
• interactive role playing, such as for museums or murder mystery events
• corporate events and training.

You will usually be on the books of an agent, who will find you work for a fee or commission. You can also join a casting service like The Spotlight, 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.

With experience, you could move into directing, producing, writing or teaching. Some actors set up their own theatre or production companies.

Annual Income

There is no set income for actors. Most are self-employed, and are paid a fee per contract or performance.

A recent survey of Equity members found that nearly half of people in the UK performance industry earned less than £6,000 from the profession in the previous year. Only 6% earned more than £30,000 from acting.

Equity negotiates minimum income rates for members. Please see their website or contact them for information on current rates.

Further information

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