Do you dream of doing this?

Phillipa Soo Work GIF by Disney+

And this?

Hamilton GIF by Tony Awards

But your inner voice says this?

Confused Wait What GIF

How do you know if theatre acting is right for you?

What Do Actors Really Do?

Red heart painted over a bunch of people's hands Photo by Tim Marshall on Unsplash

Actors tell stories as part of a team. They:

  • Rehearse scenes with directors, writers, choreographers, musicians, and other actors

  • Collaborate with costume designers and makeup artists to create characters

  • Coordinate with lighting, sound and/or camera technicians to "stage" the action

They also:

  • Memorize lines for auditions and performances

  • Research histories and places to understand their characters

  • Play with their imagination

There is no I in team

Where Do Theatre Actors Work?

You know they work in theatres performing shows:

Actor saying,

Did you know they also work in:

  • Schools - teaching drama

  • Heritage sites - reenacting historical events

  • Community arts - helping communities tell their stories

  • Sign language performing - for concerts and theatre

Woman performing using sign language

Quiz

Where else might theatre actors work?

Do The Skills Pay The Bills?

It is hard to nail down what actors earn but here are some numbers that might help:

  • $18,500 CAD: Average annual income of actors in Canada

  • $1,900 USD: Minimum weekly rate for Broadway performers

  • $646.37 CAD: Minimum weekly rate for a Theatre for Young Audiences tour in Canada in 2021

Actress Kat Dennings saying,

There can be non-salary benefits too!

  • Health and dental care

  • Pensions

  • Profit-sharing and residuals

  • Life insurance

Lots of actors have part-time jobs to make ends meet.

Every day I'm hustlin'

Who Would Enjoy Working As An Actor?

You might love a career as an actor if you…

  • love to perform any chance you get

  • are curious about meeting new people and going new places

  • thrive on variety instead of the same thing every day

  • can budget your money

Kind Julien from the movie Madagascar dancing with and fanning himself

You might want to think twice if you...

  • are happier being backstage

  • need a routine and familiar surroundings

  • want a regular paycheck

  • really don’t like rejection

Yeah, that's gonna be a no from me dawg

Quiz

Which of these are part of life as an actor?

Take Action

What do you need to do next?

Get experience and training!

Practice makes perfect Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

Where do you start?

Right where you are!

And then?

Start living your dream one day at a time!

Actress performing as Elphaba from the show Wicked

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