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All About Actors

Job Description: Play parts in stage, television, radio, video, motion picture productions, or other settings 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.

Life As an Actor

  • Promote productions using means such as interviews about plays or movies.
  • Construct puppets and ventriloquist dummies, and sew accessory clothing, using hand tools and machines.
  • Work closely with directors, other actors, and playwrights to find the interpretation most suited to the role.
  • Manipulate strings, wires, rods, or fingers to animate puppets or dummies in synchronization with talking, singing, or recorded programs.
  • Perform original and stock tricks of illusion to entertain and mystify audiences, occasionally including audience members as participants.
  • Collaborate with other actors as part of an ensemble.

Actor Needed Skills

When polled, Actors say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

  • Comic
  • Ensemble Member
  • Elocutionist
  • Show Girl
  • Performer

Are There Job Opportunities for Actors?

There were about 63,800 jobs for Actor in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 11.6% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 7,400 new jobs for Actor by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 7,400 job openings in this field each year.

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The states with the most job growth for Actor are Utah, Georgia, and Iowa. Watch out if you plan on working in Kansas, Nebraska, or Idaho. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Tools & Technologies Used by Actors

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Actors may use on a daily basis:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Web browser software
  • Email software
  • Word processing software
  • Linux
  • Facebook
  • FileMaker Pro
  • YouTube
  • Apple Final Cut Pro
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Website development software

How do I Become an Actor?

Are there Actors education requirements?

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How Long Does it Take to Become an Actor?

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Where do Actors Work?

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The table below shows the approximate number of Actors employed by various industries.

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Similar Careers

Those who work as an Actor sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:

References:

Image Credit: Donald Judge via Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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