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Performing Arts
On stage, on tour and behind the scenes, careers in performing arts bring together people with technical and creative skills to teach, inspire and entertain.
What are performing arts?
Performing arts are all about using acting, music, writing, dance and design to entertain and educate people. It's usually considered separate to visual art, which can include things like painting and illustration.
There's everything from live music to theatre, circus to opera, and ballet to stand-up comedy. It takes a huge range of skilled performers, designers, technical specialists and managers to get great ideas from page to stage.
Careers in this area are very popular so competition can be really high for jobs. But with a range of options to explore, you might find that an interest in performing arts leads you to some unexpected jobs.
What performing arts jobs can I do?
Actors, dancers and musicians work in TV, film, radio, theatre and all kinds of events. They bring scripts and musical scores to life, representing and interpreting the work of writers to bring feeling, movement and meaning to characters.
Some musicians play more than one instrument at a professional level and dancers can learn a range of styles. Some performers combine music, acting and dance to work in musicals. Many also train and work as teachers and coaches.
Directors are in charge of everything creative. They interpret scripts, run rehearsals, guide performers and work with designers and stage managers to create the right style for a show and bring out different themes.
Set designers work with directors to create sets for theatre and music shows as well as events. They take inspiration from the text and/or music to design imaginative worlds as well as use their technical knowledge to choose the right materials for the job.
Costume designers use their knowledge of fashion, history and drama to create costumes for film and TV, theatre and live events.
Composers write music. They can produce work for films, theatre, pop songs, adverts and computer games. If they are writing something for a particular project, it might be their job to interpret a story in order to create a mood to go with the action, like with a film score.
Choreographers create movement and even fight scenes for all kinds of shows from music videos to ballets.
Putting a set together for a performance involves a huge range of backstage construction jobs. Carpenters, plasterers, welders, riggers – who set up power cables and scaffolding - are all needed to put together a set.
Lighting designers and electricians use their technical knowledge to create different lighting and special effects for live performances.
Sound engineers mix and produce sounds for performances. They work with a script to develop the right sound effects and plot out sound cues.
Stage managers coordinate live productions and plan them inside out to make sure every lighting and sound cue, prop, costume and piece of scenery is set up and in the right place. Some directors start out as stage managers as it’s a great way to learn the ins and outs of a show.
Theatre / venue managers run performance venues and look after the financial and admin side of things, including managing front-of-house and box office staff.
Prop makers create props for performers to use on stage or set. Their work can involve buying the items needed or producing weird and wonderful creations to order.
Agents and talent managers represent performers, which involves finding them work and negotiating their fees as well as promoting them and helping to develop their ideas. This frees up performers to concentrate on their work.
Learn more:
Is a career in performing arts for me?
If you’re creative, good at observing and understanding people's emotions and enjoy performing, you might find a career as a musician, actor or dancer suits you. There is a lot of competition for jobs though and nearly everyone has to go through auditions to get work, so you’ll need to be determined and able to handle criticism or rejection.
If you love music and theatre but you’re not keen on being centre stage, a technical, teaching, creative or management job behind the scenes could be just as rewarding.
An interest in design and good critical thinking skills – i.e. the ability to interpret writing and art, understand different themes and develop them - is important for all creative roles.
When you’re working on a production, the hours can be very long for everyone involved and you’ll need to be prepared to work away from home for long periods if you work on a touring show.
How can I start a career in performing arts?
You don’t necessarily need formal qualifications to become a performer although competition is fierce and most people choose to go to a drama, music or dance school and pick up a diploma or degree to build their practical skills.
Auditions can be nerve-wracking too so remember, it’s important to gain experience of these. Don’t keep your talents locked up at home, take classes and workshops, get involved in school productions or join an orchestra or amateur dramatics group to get started.
For technical roles, experience is just as important. Getting work experience with school productions or through your local theatre is a great way to start.
GCSE
Explore your creative side with music, drama or art and design. Remember that you’ll still need a grade 4 or above in English and maths to get onto courses and to keep your options open, for example, if you want to move from performing into teaching.
A-Level
English literature, theatre studies, art, dance and music are all useful subjects for creative types. Business studies will help you if you are interested in managerial roles and maths and science subjects are useful if you are more into technical theatre.
Apprenticeships and vocational qualifications
For backstage, technical, design and stage management roles, you’ll normally need at least a level 3/4 BTEC or a level 5 HND/diploma in a subject like performing arts, production arts, music technology or art and design. Some drama schools and universities offer specialist degrees in these subjects too.
You may also be able to gain one of these qualifications by taking an intermediate or advanced apprenticeship. Relevant programmes include:
- Assistant puppet maker (level 3)
- Creative industries production technician (level 3)
- Creative venue technician (level 3)
- Hair, wigs, make-up and prosthetics technician (level 3)
- Junior grip (level 2)
- Live event technician (level 3)
- Props technician (level 3)
People with skills in broadcast media or construction may also have lots of skills needed to move into theatre. E.g. an electrician could become a lighting designer.
University
If you are interested in going to university, a degree in English literature, music, languages, performing arts, fashion or even philosophy can help you to build your knowledge of theatre, culture and help you build your skills to develop ideas creatively.
How to boost your chances
If you want to work as a performer, it helps to have a few extra skills up your sleeve. If you’re an actor who can play and instrument or do a whole range of accents, more opportunities will be available to you.
What performing arts qualifications are available?
Apprentices and people in technical roles can pick up BTEC qualifications or diplomas in production. You could also work towards a teaching qualification if you are a performer.
Did you know these performing arts facts?
16.4 million people attended a West End show in 2022.
The longest continuous dramatic performance was 23 hr 33 min 54 sec by the 27 O’Clock Players in New Jersey in 2010. We’d like to have been there at the end…
The 2012 Olympics opening ceremony in London featured around 7,500 performer including actors, dancers, musicians and a whole heap of volunteers.
