What does an Actor Musician do?

An Actor Musician is a Performer who combines performance with playing a musical instrument.

What are the main responsibilities of an Actor Musician?

The responsibilities are very similar to that of a Performer:

Engage in public performances
Attend rehearsals for an upcoming performance
Create a positive experience for audiences
Work well in a team - you may need to collaborate with other Artists

The only difference between an Actor and an Actor Musician is that they will be more involved in the music of the production, making the piece of theatre come together both in performance and musically. They will, therefore, have to read through and learn sheet music for a production

What qualifications do I need?

This role would be ideal for someone who wants to take up acting and singing, while playing an instrument/s. Alternatively if you are skilled in one or the other it is a great opportunity to learn an additional skill that can open up further opportunities.

Actor Musician course
Singing
Performance
Musical theatre
Drama
Music

Search training opportunities to help you get into theatre by using the key words above

What skills do I need?

Ability to sing and act
Play and instrument/s
Punctuality
Resilience - you will have many auditions and you must be able to bounce back if you don’t get one and move on to the next
Musicality
Rhythm

Read our blog 'How to deal with rejection' for tips on how to get past rejection from an audition or interview.

What does a career as an Actor Musician look like?

The work in this career path is not always constant, however performing in one production may lead to another. You will go for many auditions which will be made easier if you secure an Agent who will use their contacts and experience to help you get auditions.

See our blog 'Do I need an Agent? How do I get an Agent?'

How much can I earn?

An Actor Musician will be paid differently for each role as each role often involves additional skills such as playing musical instruments and singing, which may warrant additional compensation. In some cases, actors may receive separate fees or premiums for these musical skills on top of their base salary or performance fee. UK Theatre / Equity Actor-Musician Rates for 2023 - 2024 weekly fee for a top tier Actor Musician playing to a 500-1499 seat audience is £587.86.

The above is a guide. Pay, salary or fee can vary depending on the theatre or company, as well as your personal experience. National institutions or commercial productions can pay in excess of the above, with profit-share or community theatre paying less.

You can find theatre jobs via The Stage Jobs here