What are careers in performing arts?

Actors, musicians, and dancers are careers in the performing arts. Here are some details on these careers and others in performing arts:

• Actor: An actor portrays different characters in a variety of productions. Actors may work in theater, TV, film, commercials, or radio. Their job is often to take guidance and suggestions from a project's director while adhering to the script of the production.

  They might also have to memorize all of their character's dialogue from the screenplay, radio play, or play script.

  Actors often attend rehearsals with other actors, the director, and other key crew members of a production. Here they practice playing out the scenes of the script and sometimes have the opportunity to improvise or adlib, and go off-script.

  Improvisions are sometimes then added to a production script, and they can also happen while filming or during a stage production.

  Actors can be leads, supporting characters, or even extras in a production. They often employ the help of managers and talent agents to help find them work and field different projects.

  The average salary of an actor in the United States is $42,214 per year, but one who becomes extremely famous may make millions of dollars per production.

• Musician: A musician is a musical professional who has talent in the realm of playing instruments, singing, producing music, or a combination of all three. Many musicians who perform live also have talents in the realm of dancing.

  Musicians often perform songs in front of an audience in a concert setting. These may be small venues like bars, or restaurants, or very large venues, such as theaters and stadiums.

  Musicians may also work in theater productions where they are given direction by a composer or choreographer. During production, they also attend dress rehearsals to practice lining up the music with the performance.

  The average salary of a musician in the United States is $42,808 per year.

• Dancer: A dancer is a professional who uses their body to interpret music in a dance performance. They may do this to express a specific emotion or simply in a visually appealing way. Dancers often work very closely with choreographers who design and direct dance performances.

  They may do this in a musical theater setting for a play or at a concert for a musician.

  Many dancers train in a specific type of dance, such as ballet, salsa, ballroom dancing, contemporary dancing, or hip hop. Dancers might also accompany an art installation piece at a gallery or museum.

  Many perform on stage or in recorded performances meant for television or film. Some also lend their talents to music videos for professional singers, musicians, or bands.

  The average salary of a dancer in the United States is $43,891 per year.

• Makeup artist: Makeup artists work in a wide variety of settings, such as the retail industry and entertainment industry. Makeup artists may work as freelancers or as part of a company, such as those in the retail setting.

  Many makeup artists work in the entertainment industry providing their services to actors and actresses on movie sets and theater productions. Some also specialize in events, like makeup for a bride and their bridesmaids at a wedding.

  Makeup artists also work in the news industry where they apply make-up to news hosts before broadcasts. Many also work directly for beauty brands in their stores.

  Most makeup artists receive some form of formal training, however, this is not a strict requirement. A makeup artist must have a strong makeup portfolio exhibiting past projects they've worked on or clients they have had. These portfolios always have photos and sometimes videos.

  The average wage of a makeup artist in the United States is $31.15 per hour.

• Radio DJ: A radio DJ is an "on-air" personality that plays a set of musical selections. They are expected to entertain listeners between songs and have a wealth of knowledge about music and musicians that their shows focus on.

  Radio DJs also need a good and likable "radio voice". Many go through voice training to achieve certain effects on their voices. Some also attend acting classes or public speaking courses.

  Certain radio DJs are also their audio engineers, so it is not uncommon for them to have a good deal of technical sound-based knowledge.

  The average salary of a radio DJ is $55,428 per year in the United States.