The visual and performing arts are one of nine sectors within the creative industries. The below links are great places to look for more general careers info for all the creative industries and not just theatre.
Search all theatre opportunities here
DISCOVER! Creative Careers brings together careers information and opportunities from creative organisations in one explorable directory.
Masterclass offers workshops online and in person for young people, with those well known and working in the industry.
Find more theatre careers advice here
Upstart Projects creates opportunities for young people to develop as the arts professionals of the future. They support young people to lead and manage projects, act as ambassadors, find their voice in the arts and train other people. In short, they offer real experiences which build skills and can lead into arts and media careers.
Find more theatre careers advice here.
A Voice-Over Artist is someone who uses their voice in radio, television, film, theatre and other presentations. Sometimes they are in a dialogue between characters in a scripted radio play, but often referred to as off-camera or off-stage commentary or narration. The work of a Voice-over Artist is all unseen and only heard. The different ways you can work as a Voice-Over Artist include:
Voice-Over Artists in theatre are there to entertain their audience or deliver dialogue with nothing but their voice. They must:
You don’t need any formal qualifications to be a Voice-Over Artist. Some form of drama training would be beneficial as you will learn techniques which you can use through your voice instead of your body. Many organisations offer workshops for voice-over training and you can find opportunities from across the theatre industry here.
Most Voice-Over Artists are also Actors and singers as well. When working as a Voice-Over Artist you will mostly be working as a freelancer. Read our blog 'How to be a freelancer in theatre.' It is a good idea to keep a voicereel (exactly the same as a showreel but with your voice-over work). Depending on the different skills you have for this role you can be hired for numerous roles because of your range and skills. You could also try hospital radio and reading to children in schools and hospitals to practise.
Income in voice acting can fluctuate significantly depending on the specific project. View our What does an Actor/Performer do? blog, for more information on performer rates.
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
https://www.cv-library.co.uk/career-advice/start/career-guides/how-to-become-a-voiceover-artist/
https://uk.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-become-voice-actor
https://www.filmd.co.uk/articles/becoming-a-voice-over-actor-in-the-uk-tips-to-get-you-started/
https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/voiceover-training-5077/
Photo: Alex Brenner
Updated: 4th June 2024
Work experience is a short term placement in an organisation which gives you a feel for the role. It also helps you see what a day in the life looks like for someone who has that particular job. As part of your work experience you’ll likely carry out only a few important tasks, and will mainly complete other tasks such as assisting, making tea and coffee and photocopying etc. It will give you a chance to observe and see what you could be doing in the future.
Some work experience placements are paid and some are not. It is up to the organisation and depends on what tasks they will get you to do. Generally, work experience is usually unpaid because it’s over a short period of time, however your travel and/or lunch costs will often be covered or reimbursed.
Find work experience opportunities here.
Nothing impresses an employer more than seeing that you’ve gone out of your way (especially during your free time) to gain work experience and improve on your skills. This shows enthusiasm and dedication to your future career. There are many benefits of work experience such as:
For more info about work experience in the creative industries, you can also take a look at our blog 'Where can I find general careers information about the creative industries?'
Work experience is great for all the reasons above, but we must highlight concerns around the exploitation of young people. When you get involved in these experience opportunities you must be aware of the impact of low or unpaid work and also ensure you know your rights beforehand.
Find theatre vacancies with The Stage Jobs here
Photo: Alex Brenner
Published: 16 May 2019
The main thing to know is that the term 'volunteering' stands for 'a person who works for an organisation without being paid.' If you complete volunteer work, you'll be working completely for free and you will not have a contract of employment like interns. However, there are certain policies in place to protect you and the organisation. These policies state that both you and the organisation are aware of the expectations of both of you. Volunteers are not eligible for National Minimum Wage as you’re participating by choice, but you'll have more flexibility with your working hours and this can be great.
Search all theatre opportunities here
You don't need any qualifications or experience to apply. You just need to be willing to participate and get involved. This will show your determination and passion for theatre because you want to learn new things and get involved in different aspects of theatre despite not being paid.
Find more theatre careers advice here
Volunteering is great for all the reasons above, but we must highlight concerns around the exploitation of young people. When you get involved in these experience opportunities you must be aware of the impact of low or unpaid work and also ensure you know your rights beforehand.
You can find volunteering opportunities here.
Find theatre vacancies with The Stage Jobs here
Photo: Alex Brenner
Published: 16 May 2019
There are many different types of internships within the theatre industry, so we’re going to tell you about them in general and also make sure you know your rights.
Internships are similar to work experience but they are fixed-term placements and are often referred to as a 'traineeship'. They aim to give you a better understanding of employment and the day-to-day tasks of the job you’ve chosen. Interns are normally set a number of different tasks to complete during their placement. Read our blog 'Where can I find general careers information about the creative industries?' for more information.
Search all theatre opportunities here
Employers must pay interns at least the National Minimum Wage - unless the company is a registered charity. You’ll be completing tasks a member of staff would do and it's only fair that you should be paid for your work.
Find more theatre careers advice here
Be sure to know your rights within the theatre industry, especially when gaining experience. Internships are great for all the reasons above, but we must highlight concerns around the exploitation of young people. When you get involved in these experience opportunities you must be aware of the impact of low or unpaid work and also ensure you know your rights beforehand.
You can find internship opportunities here with The Stage Jobs.
Photo: Alex Brenner
Published: 16 May 2019
Gaining work experience or on the job training is a great way to give yourself a better chance of getting into theatre. When applying for a job in theatre, employers will want to see your determination and your passion for wanting a career in the theatre industry.
There are different kinds of theatre experience you can gain and any type of experience will benefit you in a number of different ways and look great on your CV. These are listed below.
Click on each type of experience for more information.
It is important that we highlight and make you aware of instances where young people are exploited. You must be cautious of low and unpaid work and you must know your rights when applying for these experience opportunities.
Find more theatre careers advice here
Photo: Royal Opera House
Published: 16 May 2019
Gemma Dobson tells Get Into Theatre what it's like to be an Actor from a working class background and the challenges she faced when starting to work in theatre and also now she is working within the industry. Gemma has starred in shows such as A Taste of Honey at the Oldham Coliseum and is currently starring as Sue in Rita, Sue and Bob Too. Gemma was also awarded Best Actress in a Play at The Stage Debut Awards 2018.
Search all theatre opportunities here
Transcript:
Hi my name's Gemma, I'm 28 and I'm an Actor. So my story is I grew up in Leeds on a council estate with my mum, I still live there now. I'm really really proud of being a working class Actor. So I went to a High School in Leeds called Intake High School. There I did GCSE Drama, Dance and Music and then I went on to do BTEC in Drama at Sixth Form. Then when I was coming out of Sixth Form I really didn't know what I was gonna do, didn't want to go to drama school and I didn't really know any other roots into the industry, I knew I wanted to be an Actress. I ended up on the dole (receiving benefits) for a few months and then I was like I really need to get a job and saw an advert in a paper for a call centre and ended up working there.
So I was working at the call centre and I started going to these evening acting classes in Manchester at a place called Manchester School of Acting. From that I got an Agent and I went on to be in an ITV drama called Brief Encounters, I've played Jo in A Taste Of Honey at Oldham Coliseum and I've been playing Sue in Rita, Sue and Bob Too for Out of Joint (theatre company). As an Actor working in theatre, what I love most about it is the rehearsal process, all the hard work that goes into it from the whole company, getting to know the cast and crew, working on a character, working on the story, performing to a live audience and engaging with audiences.
In between main acting jobs I have worked in a call centre I've done bar work and I've also done workshops of new plays. So one of the biggest obstacles for me was money. I couldn't afford to go to drama school and therefore I found a good quality acting class which meant that I could work full-time, pay my bills but also train. The second obstacle I think is having an insecurity about being working class especially being northern and having a voice like mine which you don't hear a lot on TV or in the theatre, it does give you quite a bit of anxiety about you know speaking properly or not having a proper voice and that has put me off in the past because I thought there's no place for me in this world but there really is and I've learnt to embrace it and there are people out there that want to hear my voice and that want to employ me and you know I just have to, I've had to learn to be confident enough to use it as a tool.
So one of the biggest obstacles that I still face is money, so it can be really hard to find a normal job in between acting roles. So for example if I know I've got a job coming up again in a couple of months' time I have to be really organised with the money that I'm currently earning so I try and save as much as I can to cover me for that period of time because I don't have the financial support elsewhere. So my advice to you would be if you are northern, if you sound like me, if you're from a similar background to me and you feel put off by that, don't. Theatre is not a posh person's industry. Theatre is for everyone and there are parts out there and there are jobs out there for people like you.
Find more theatre careers advice here
Photo: David Monteith-Hodge
Published: 11 April 2019
Amy Trigg tells Get Into Theatre what it is like to be a wheelchair user who has trained in performance and musical theatre, as well as the physical and mental challenges she faced when she first started acting. Amy has starred in The Glass Menagerie, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, Doctors, and Fusion at Sadler's Wells (theatre).
Find acting opportunities in theatre here
Transcript:
My name is Amy Trigg, I'm 26 years old and I'm an Actress. I was born in Essex and I still live there now. I was born with spina bifida which basically means that my spine didn't get its act together while I was in the womb, so now I'm a full-time wheelchair user. My parents took me to theatre a lot when I was younger so I was exposed to theatre from a young age and at school I joined after-school drama clubs which then led to local am-dram shows, where I made most of my friends like I think most drama kids, and then I started thinking about going to drama school. So I did all the GCSEs and A-levels that I needed to do, started preparing, got into Mountview and got an Agent from showcase at the end of my three years there.
I faced two main obstacles when I decided to be an Actress, the first one was physical obstacles so things like steps and stairs in my case, which meant that when I decided to go to drama school I had to make sure that the drama schools I was applying for were accessible, I could actually get in the building and I could go to the toilet. The other obstacle is people's opinions. So people don't expect someone who's in a wheelchair or someone who's deaf and disabled to become an Actress, so it was me when I was 16, 17, 18 years old turning around to those people and saying 'look I'm going to work hard I'm very passionate about this and I want to be good enough'.
Some of the productions I've been involved with include Ramps on the Moon's tour of The Who's Tommy, The Glass Menagerie, Goth Weekend, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, Stella, Doctors, Pas De Deux, Fusion at Sadler's Wells (theatre) and some comedic street theatre because why not? At the moment I teach acting between acting jobs but before in the past I have done some office admin jobs where I've been picking up the phone while I've been waiting for the phone to ring and I just liked staying occupied so if I've got spare time just go out and volunteer.
If you are interested in working in theatre then the three bits of advice I would give you: take a class in something you've never done before like an improv class or a stage combat class and then look into your options. If you want to go to drama school, which drama schools are an option for you and then you can start looking at your funding options. Lastly, just go and watch some good theatre. As one of the first wheelchair users to train in performance in musical theatre, it's frustrating and you can feel a bit like a guinea pig but if you're the first person then the person after you doesn't have to be, so do it for the next person.
Search auditions on The Stage Jobs here
Published: 12 March 2019
There are a number musical theatre training opportunities to choose from at a number of different drama schools all over the country. Follow these easy steps to ensure you are as prepared as you can be and increase your changes of getting into the drama school of your choice.
Search all theatre opportunities here
If you're applying for a musical theatre course you must be able to act, dance and sing on the day of your audition. There's a lot to think about but if you follow the tips below, you'll smash the audition.
Find more theatre careers advice here
The best way to have confidence on the day is to make sure that you are well prepared. Fail to prepare, prepare to fail. Know what is in your control on the day and what is not. You want to be able to walk away from your audition or interview and know that you have done everything you can in your power to be the best you can be. The best way to do this is think about the things you can control:
If you have all of these things in your control, then you can relax a bit more on the day and concentrate on being yourself, having a big smile and being friendly. If you are busy worrying about if you have forgotten a line, then this can block your personality from shining through and really this is the most important part of any audition/interview.
Find theatre vacancies with The Stage Jobs here
https://www.coursflorent.education/news/how-to-get-into-drama-school
https://www.spotlight.com/news-and-advice/tips-and-advice/how-to-nail-your-drama-school-audition/
https://www.spotlight.com/news-and-advice/tips-and-advice/how-to-nail-your-drama-school-audition/
https://www.thestage.co.uk/advice/2017/a-beginners-guide-to-applying-for-drama-school/
Photo: Shutterstock
Published: 04 March 2019
Actors or Performers are people who entertain an audience by acting, singing or dancing. They play characters on stage and act on the direction of the creative team to bring a text to life. Their primary focus is to engage audiences through their acting skills, expressions, and performances in a live theatrical setting.
Whilst there are no specific qualifications needed to be an Actor or Performer, here are some courses you may want to consider to gain knowledge and experience:
Gemma Dobson didn't go to drama school, watch her vlog to see how she got into acting.
Here are some subjects that you can study at school which will teach you some useful skills for becoming an Actor or Performer:
Find acting opportunities to help you get into theatre here
Find out how Amy Trigg became an Actor by watching her vlog here.
There is not a straight path within performing. You are nearly always employed on a freelance/contracted basis and the responsibilities can vary depending on the company and how long the production runs for. Sometimes Performers start out in fringe or small-scale theatre or create their own work, there can be ensemble roles in larger companies or understudy parts. However some Actors and Performers may start in a lead role if they are the right fit for the character. Often Performers will need to do a number of jobs to financially support their acting careers. Find out what you can do between acting jobs with our blog 'What jobs can you do in between theatre jobs to earn' and our Misconception Series blog on having a second job to support your career.
Many Actors are represented by an Agent. An Agent puts their clients up for roles they think they are suited for and are often given breakdowns for castings that are not readily available to the public, they will take a percentage of the pay, often between 10% and 20%. You can gain an Agent by writing to them, inviting them to shows that you are in, or asking for a meeting. It’s a good idea to research Agents and apply for those who have ‘open books’, meaning they are actively looking to represent new clients. However, some Actors don’t have an Agent and apply for castings themselves. Read this blog on whether you need an Agent.
Starting pay can be very low, with some fringe productions employing ‘profit-share’ models, but a small number of star Actors and Performers can receive extremely high wages – for example a pantomime star or West End lead can be paid tens of thousands of pounds per week.
Equity minimum for 2024/2025 is £573 per week, plus food, travel, accommodation and relocation costs.
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
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/actor
https://www.backstage.com/uk/magazine/article/how-much-do-actors-get-paid-in-the-uk-74998/
https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/how-much-do-west-end-performers-earn-compared-to-broadway_58192/
https://www.itc-arts.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Rates-of-Pay-2024-27-Sheet.pdf
Updated: 9th June 2024
