Should I be a theatre actor? 🎭

Do you dream of doing this?

And this?

But your inner voice says this?

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

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

You know they work in theatres performing shows:

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

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

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.

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

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

What do you need to do next?

Get experience and training!

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!