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Career Details : Actors

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Description

Play parts in stage, television, radio, video, or motion picture productions for entertainment, information, or instruction. Interpret serious or comic role by speech, gesture, and body movement to entertain or inform audience. May dance and sing.

Experience

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Education

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.

Training

Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.

Tasks

  • Portrays and interprets role, using speech, gestures, and body movements, to entertain radio, film, television, or live audience.
  • Constructs puppets and ventriloquist dummies and sews accessory clothing, using hand tools and machines.
  • Writes original or adapted material for drama, comedy, puppet show, narration, or other performance.
  • Signals start and introduces performers to stimulate excitement and to coordinate smooth transition of acts during circus performance.
  • Manipulates string, wire, rod, or fingers to animate puppet or dummy in synchronization to talking, singing, or recorded program.
  • Sings or dances during dramatic or comedy performance.
  • Performs humorous and serious interpretations of emotions, actions, and situations, using only body movements, facial expressions, and gestures.
  • Reads and rehearses role from script to learn lines, stunts, and cues as directed.
  • Reads from script or book to narrate action or inform or entertain audience, utilizing few or no stage props.
  • Prepares for and performs action stunts for motion picture, television, or stage production.
  • Dresses in comical clown costume and makeup and performs comedy routines to entertain audience.
  • Tells jokes, performs comic dances and songs, impersonates mannerisms and voice of others, contorts face, and uses other devices to amuse audience.
  • Performs original and stock tricks of illusion to entertain and mystify audience, occasionally including audience members as participants.

    Related Careers

    Important Abilities

    General Work Activities

    Important Skills

    Frequent Work Context

    • Objective or Subjective Information
    • Job-Required Social Interaction
    • Provide a Service to Others
    • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
    • Importance of Being Sure All Is Done

    Related Majors

    Major Add to MyFSA
    Actingadd Acting to MyFSA
    Acting/Directingadd Acting/Directing to MyFSA
    Children's Theatreadd Children's Theatre to MyFSA
    Communication Studies/Theatreadd Communication Studies/Theatre to MyFSA
    Communication/Theatreadd Communication/Theatre to MyFSA
    Communication/Theatre Artsadd Communication/Theatre Arts to MyFSA
    Communications/Theatreadd Communications/Theatre to MyFSA
    Dance/Theatreadd Dance/Theatre to MyFSA
    Directingadd Directing to MyFSA
    Dramaadd Drama to MyFSA
    Drama/Danceadd Drama/Dance to MyFSA
    Drama/Designadd Drama/Design to MyFSA
    Drama/Productionadd Drama/Production to MyFSA
    Drama/Speech Communicationadd Drama/Speech Communication to MyFSA
    Drama/Theatre Artsadd Drama/Theatre Arts to MyFSA
    Drama/Theatre/Danceadd Drama/Theatre/Dance to MyFSA
    Dramatic Artsadd Dramatic Arts to MyFSA
    Dramatic Arts/Dramaadd Dramatic Arts/Drama to MyFSA
    Dramatic Arts/Theatreadd Dramatic Arts/Theatre to MyFSA
    Dramatic Literature/Theatre/History/Cinemaadd Dramatic Literature/Theatre/History/Cinema to MyFSA
    Dramatics/Theatre Artsadd Dramatics/Theatre Arts to MyFSA
    Educational Theatreadd Educational Theatre to MyFSA
    English Dramatic Literature/Theatreadd English Dramatic Literature/Theatre to MyFSA
    English/Drama/Speechadd English/Drama/Speech to MyFSA
    Film/Dramaadd Film/Drama to MyFSA
    Historical Performanceadd Historical Performance to MyFSA
    Media Arts/Theatreadd Media Arts/Theatre to MyFSA
    Music Theatreadd Music Theatre to MyFSA
    Music/Theatreadd Music/Theatre to MyFSA
    Music/Theatre Artsadd Music/Theatre Arts to MyFSA
    Musical Theatreadd Musical Theatre to MyFSA
    Performance Art Theatreadd Performance Art Theatre to MyFSA
    Performing Arts/Musical Theatre Performanceadd Performing Arts/Musical Theatre Performance to MyFSA
    Speech Communication/Dramatic Artsadd Speech Communication/Dramatic Arts to MyFSA
    Speech Communication/Theatreadd Speech Communication/Theatre to MyFSA
    Speech Communication/Theatre Artsadd Speech Communication/Theatre Arts to MyFSA
    Speech/Dramaadd Speech/Drama to MyFSA
    Speech/Dramatic Artadd Speech/Dramatic Art to MyFSA
    Speech/Dramatic Artsadd Speech/Dramatic Arts to MyFSA
    Speech/Theatreadd Speech/Theatre to MyFSA
    Theatreadd Theatre to MyFSA
    Theatre Artsadd Theatre Arts to MyFSA
    Theatre Arts Managementadd Theatre Arts Management to MyFSA
    Theatre Arts/Danceadd Theatre Arts/Dance to MyFSA
    Theatre Arts/Dramaadd Theatre Arts/Drama to MyFSA
    Theatre Arts/Englishadd Theatre Arts/English to MyFSA
    Theatre Arts/Speechadd Theatre Arts/Speech to MyFSA
    Theatre Arts/Technical Theatreadd Theatre Arts/Technical Theatre to MyFSA
    Theatre Arts/Theory/Performanceadd Theatre Arts/Theory/Performance to MyFSA
    Theatre for Youthadd Theatre for Youth to MyFSA
    Theatre Managementadd Theatre Management to MyFSA
    Theatre Performanceadd Theatre Performance to MyFSA
    Theatre Productionadd Theatre Production to MyFSA
    Theatre Studiesadd Theatre Studies to MyFSA
    Theatre Technologyadd Theatre Technology to MyFSA
    Theatre/Actingadd Theatre/Acting to MyFSA
    Theatre/Communicationadd Theatre/Communication to MyFSA
    Theatre/Communication Artsadd Theatre/Communication Arts to MyFSA
    Theatre/Danceadd Theatre/Dance to MyFSA
    Theatre/Dance/Filmadd Theatre/Dance/Film to MyFSA
    Theatre/Designadd Theatre/Design to MyFSA
    Theatre/Dramaadd Theatre/Drama to MyFSA
    Theatre/Dramaticsadd Theatre/Dramatics to MyFSA
    Theatre/Englishadd Theatre/English to MyFSA
    Theatre/Filmadd Theatre/Film to MyFSA
    Theatre/Fine Artsadd Theatre/Fine Arts to MyFSA
    Theatre/Musicadd Theatre/Music to MyFSA
    Theatre/Speechadd Theatre/Speech to MyFSA
    Theatre/Stage Managementadd Theatre/Stage Management to MyFSA
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