What does an actor do?
Actors are the front-facing part of a film or theater company. They bring a script to life. Finding the right actor for a role is a critical part of the mosaic that makes up a successful production. A big part of how the audience receives a film, play or other production is based on the acting. Actors’ performances can also impact the reputation of the production company.
Depending on the role, actors may also be asked to sing or dance.
Actor skills and qualifications
Good actors make an audience believe that they are the characters they’re portraying. Convincing performance aside, acting requires many other skills as well:
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Communication – Actors may work with a variety of people, including other actors, directors, film crews, etc. Patience and the ability to take direction are integral to these interactions. Look for talented performers who take guidance well.
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Memorization – Acting sometimes involves memorizing whole scenes and plays that could last hours.
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Research – An actor may need to research to better understand a role. The right hire will be someone with at least basic research skills.
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Speaking – An actor needs to know how to project and modulate their voice, especially for live performances.
Actor experience requirements
You may find an actor who has never worked on any projects but is perfect for the role. As with other jobs, though, that’s uncommon. Usually, you’ll want candidates who have at least some experience acting, even on smaller projects like local stage work or as extras.
Experience in positions that require a performance component (e.g., positions involving public speaking) may also be useful.
Actor education and training requirements
If a job seeker for an acting position has a bachelor’s degree in theater or performing arts, that ensures some familiarity with performance and other factors that go into a production. However, an actor doesn’t need a college degree. Even without a bachelor’s degree, actors often go through some training. It’s common for actors to have taken classes in a college’s performing arts program, acting company conservatories or theater companies.
Salary expectations for actors
According to Indeed salaries, the average salary for an actor is $18.32 per hour. However, this rate can vary significantly based on the role, budget and the candidate’s experience and reputation. If the actor has established a reputation in the industry and is sought after, expect to offer a higher salary.
Job description samples for similar positions
If this job description is not quite what you’re looking for, or to fine tune your actor job description, you may want to take a look at descriptions for other entertainment industry positions, such as:
Actor job description FAQs
What are some qualities to look for in an actor?
Besides performance ability, physical and mental stamina can be useful in acting. For some roles, actors may be asked to perform physical feats or to dance. Even roles that don’t have a specific physical component often require long periods of standing during rehearsals. Actors also need mental stamina to stay tuned in to their role and to others’ roles during rehearsals, which can be frequent and long-lasting.
What should you look for in an actor’s resume?
Professional performance experience and acting training are useful. However, other skills are also relevant. For instance, has the candidate held positions that require working closely with others? Actors often need good social and communication skills, as they’ll work with other actors and production staff.
How can you make your actor job description stand out?
Emphasize nontraditional benefits, such as:
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Quality of the role – Actors may accept a lower-paying job if they are interested in playing a certain character.
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Potential connections– Will actors be working with people who could help their career along? Networking with potential mentors is worth mentioning in the job description.
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Long-term work – Acting jobs can be sporadic, so if your position is long-term, that may attract applicants.
Who does an actor report to?
Actors often work closely with production assistants. Also, during rehearsals and when discussing the role, directors and producers provide direction on how an actor should perform the role. Candidates need to be comfortable taking such direction.
*Indeed provides this information as a courtesy to users of this site. Please note that we are not your recruiting or legal advisor, we are not responsible for the content of your job descriptions, and none of the information provided herein guarantees performance.
