Actors, entertainers and presenters

Average National Salaries (2020)

What does this career do?

Actors, entertainers and presenters sing, portray roles in dramatic productions, perform comedy routines, gymnastic feats and tricks of illusion, train animals to perform and perform with them, and introduce and present radio and television programmes.

Typical tasks

• studies script, play or book and prepares and rehearses interpretation
• assumes character created by a playwright or author and communicates this to an audience
• performs singing, comedy, acrobatic, illusion and conjuring routines
• trains animals to perform entertaining routines and may perform with them
• introduces and presents radio and television programmes, reads news bulletins and makes announcements
• conducts interviews and prepares reports for news broadcasts, current affairs programmes and documentaries
• plays pre-recorded music at nightclubs, discotheques, and private functions.

Current entry requirements

Entry does not depend on academic qualifications although some drama schools require candidates to have GCSEs/S grades or A levels/H grades or a degree. Entry can be based upon an audition. Membership of the appropriate trade union is usually required. NVQs/SVQs in performing arts are available.

Percentage in work

• Employed

• Unemployed

Due to insufficient sample sizes, some data was excised.

Predicted employment status in 2022

• Part-time

• Self Employed

• Full-time

Predicted employment levels in the East Midlands

Career related courses available at West Notts

• Performing Arts Practice (Acting and Performance) (Advanced) - Level 3
• Performing Arts Practice (Dance and Musical Theatre) (Advanced) - Level 3

About the statistics

Data is powered by LMI for All and is sourced from labour market statistics from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the Institute for Employment Research, the Department for Works and Pensions, and the UK Commission for Employment and Skills.