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Actors
Overview » Industry Pathways » Performing Arts 
Actors express ideas and create images in theater, film, radio, television, and other performing arts media. They interpret a writer’s script to entertain, inform, or instruct an audience. These are workers who as young children probably enjoyed singing, dancing, and making people laugh. They might have been called the “class clowns” and truly enjoyed being seen and heard as they expressed themselves in a variety of entertaining ways. Although the most famous actors work in film, network television, or theater in New York or Los Angeles, many others work in local or regional theaters or independent, small-scale movie productions.
Actors love being in front of an audience, in the limelight and performing in stage, radio, television, video, or motion picture productions. They also work in cabarets, nightclubs, theme parks, commercials, and “industrial” films produced for training and educational purposes.
Many people would love to be in a film or on television, so lot’s of people are interested in the glamorous entertainment industry. There are more “wanna-be’s” in this field than perhaps any other career area. Most actors struggle to find steady work; only a few ever achieve recognition as “stars.” Some well-known, experienced performers may be cast in supporting roles. Others work as “extras,” with no lines to deliver, or make brief cameo appearances, speaking only one or two lines. Some actors do voiceover and narration work for advertisements, animated features, books on tape, and other electronic media. They also teach in high school or university drama departments, acting conservatories, or public programs.
In 2006, actors, along with producers and directors, held about 70,000 jobs, primarily in motion picture and video, performing arts, and broadcast industries. Because many others were between jobs, the total number of persons available for work was higher. Employment in the theater and other performing arts companies is cyclical—higher in the fall and spring seasons—and concentrated in New York and other major cities with large commercial houses for musicals and touring productions. Also, many cities support established professional regional theaters that operate on a seasonal or year-round basis. About one-fourth of actors are self-employed.
Actors may find work in summer festivals, on cruise lines, and in theme parks. Many smaller, nonprofit professional companies, such as repertory companies, dinner theaters, and theaters affiliated with drama schools, acting conservatories, and universities, provide employment opportunities for local amateur talent and professional entertainers. Auditions typically are held in New York for many productions across the country and for shows that go on the road.
Employment in motion pictures and in films for television is centered in New York and Hollywood. However, small studios are located throughout the country. Many films are shot on location and may employ local professional and nonprofessional actors. In television, opportunities are concentrated in the network centers of New York and Los Angeles, but cable television services and local television stations around the country also employ many actors.
Employment of actors is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2016. Although a growing number of people will want to enter these professions, many will leave the field early because the work—when it is available—is hard, the hours are long, and the pay is low. Competition for jobs will be great, in part because the large number of highly trained and talented actors auditioning for roles is generally greater than the number of parts that become available. Only performers with the most energy, persistence and talent will find regular employment. Not giving up easily is critical to being successful!
Expanding cable and satellite television operations, increasing production and distribution of major studio and independent films, and the continued growth and development of interactive media, such as direct-for-Web movies and videos, should increase demand for actors. However, greater emphasis on national, rather than local, entertainment productions may restrict employment opportunities in the broadcasting industry.
There are jobs available for live entertainment, such as Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters, touring productions and repertory theaters in many major metropolitan areas, theme parks, and resorts; however, these jobs can often be easily influenced economic conditions.
Persons who become actors follow many paths. Employers generally look for people with the creative instincts, in-born talent, and intellectual capacity to perform. Actors should possess a passion for performing and enjoy entertaining others.
Most aspiring actors participate in high school and college plays, work in college radio stations, or perform with local community theater groups.
In television and film, actors typically start in smaller television markets or with independent movie production companies and then work their way up to larger media markets and major studio productions. Intense competition, however, results in only a few actors ever reaching star billing.
Formal dramatic training, either through an acting conservatory or a university program, generally is necessary; however, some people successfully enter the field without it. Most people studying for a bachelor’s degree take courses in radio and television broadcasting, communications, film, theater, drama, or dramatic literature. Many continue their academic training and receive a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree.
Actors, regardless of experience level, may obtain workshop training through acting conservatories or by being mentored by a drama coach. Actors also research roles so that they can grasp concepts quickly during rehearsals and understand the story’s setting and background. Sometimes actors learn a foreign language or train with a dialect coach to develop an accent to make their characters more realistic.
Actors need talent, creative ability, and training that will enable them to portray different characters. Because competition for parts is fierce, versatility and a wide range of related performance skills, such as singing, dancing, skating, juggling, or miming are especially useful. Even major film and television stars often compete for roles and go to auditions.
Many professional actors rely on agents or managers to find work, negotiate contracts, and plan their careers. Agents generally earn a percentage of the pay specified in an actor’s contract. Other actors rely solely on attending open auditions for parts. Trade publications list the times, dates, and locations of these auditions.
To become a movie extra, one usually must be listed by a casting agency, such as Central Casting, a no-fee agency that supplies extras to the major movie studios in Hollywood. In recent years, only a very small proportion of applicants have succeeded in being listed. However it is very possible to show up on the day of a film shoot and stand in the line for movie extras and actually be selected for what will certainly prove to be an exciting and eye-opening experience!
Typical annual earnings of salaried actors were $23,470 in 2002. Typical annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of actors were as follows:
Performing arts companies
$28,850
Motion picture and video industries
$17,610
Minimum salaries, hours of work, and other conditions of employment are covered in collective bargaining agreements between the producers and the unions representing workers. The Actors’ Equity Association (Equity) represents stage actors; the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) covers actors in motion pictures, including television, commercials, and films; and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) represents television and radio studio performers. While these unions generally determine minimum salaries, any actor or director may negotiate for a salary higher than the minimum.
Some well-known actors—stars—earn well above the minimum; their salaries are much higher than the figures above, creating the false impression that all actors are highly paid. For example, of the nearly 100,000 SAG members, only about 50 - 100 might be considered stars. The average income that SAG members earn from acting—less than $5,000 a year—is low because regular employment is not stable. Therefore, most actors must supplement their incomes by holding jobs in other occupations.
If you are interested in this occupation or are wondering about related occupations, use the links below to continue your exploration. Always remember, the more effort you put into exploring possible careers, the easier it will be for you to discover the best career choices for you!
For career information and links to employment resources contact:
U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: http://www.bls.gov/oco/
Occupational Information Network, O*NET Online: http://online.onetcenter.org/
For general information about theater arts and a list of accredited college-level programs, contact:
National Association of Schools of Theater: http://nast.arts-accredit.org
For general information on actors, contact any of the following organizations:
Actors Equity Association: http://www.actorsequity.org
Screen Actors Guild: http://www.sag.org
American Federation of Television and Radio Artists: http://www.aftra.org/aftra/aftra.htm
For information about planning and paying for college, visit Junior Achievement’s Financial Aid Center .
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