Actor

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 and actors also spend a lot of time: researching their role; learning lines; rehearsing; preparing for and attending auditions; and contacting agents and finding the next job.

In smaller theatre companies, they can be involved in administration, publicity and staging the performance. Actors also combine performing with other types of work, such as teaching or community arts work.

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.

Although it is possible to get an early lucky 'break' into professional acting, in practice this is quite rare. Talent, determination, hard work and luck are important.

A degree in drama or an HND in performing arts may improve your chances of following a career in acting, largely due to the practical course work involved, but acting is open to all and many successful actors do not have a drama degree. Courses at specialist drama, dance or other performing arts schools tend to be more vocational and practical than university courses, which are by and large more theoretical.

Students of other disciplines may gain acting experience through drama societies. An Arts Council survey has found that a large percentage of working actors had professional training at a specialist drama school accredited by the National Council for Drama Training (NCDT).

NCDT-approved courses can be an advantage when starting an acting career, as they are very practical and will give you the opportunity to showcase to agents and casting directors. They also lead to full membership of the performers’ union Equity.

At drama school you could take a full-time three-year degree or diploma in acting or musical theatre (or a one-year postgraduate diploma if you already have a relevant degree).

To get into drama school, you must pass an audition. You may also need some formal qualifications such as A levels or a BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts, but this is not always essential if you show enough talent and commitment. See the NCDT and the Conference of Drama Schools websites for a list of accredited courses.

Several universities offer drama degrees although as these are often more academic than practical, you should check course content to make sure it is right for you.

Postgraduate study is not essential but is a useful way of gaining more skills, experience and contacts. Entry is competitive and courses are intensive. A number of institutions offer a one-year MA/Postgraduate Diploma in Acting, or summer schools or short courses focusing on a particular element of acting.

If you choose not to go to drama school, you will still need to develop your skills and get as much practical experience of acting as possible. Ways that you could do this include: amateur, community or youth theatre; university student drama societies; actors’ workshops, summer schools and part-time classes.