PERFORMING ARTS

Getting a Job
Unit 3 Performing Arts Business

Christian Lugtu






Image from: The Curious Incident
of the Dog in the Night-time
PERFORMING
Actors are people who portray characters
through voice, movement, and emotion to an
audience whether it is on stage, film, television or
radio. It is essential that an actor is able to
interpret the creators idea of the character as
well as the show itself. Many actors will also need
to be creative when ask to create ones character
or improvise. Depending on the type of work, an
actor is able to work in various locations
nationally and abroad and can usually last from as
little as days to several months.
Many people assume that acting takes very little work, but almost all actors or those
wanting to become, have looked to Education and Training as a requirement for
any who wish to get into the industry. However some have disagreed with this saying
that the three year education course for many actors is a waste of time and money.
Paul Roseby, NYT artistic director, says: Drama schools are incredibly expensive and
the majority of actors dont need three years training. They need various modular
courses every so often to go to. But they dont need three years. You dont need to learn
how to act; you need to learn how to sell yourself. You can either act or you cant.
All actors are at a constant Progression continually learning new acting techniques
and key skills which they can add to their CV. This can be from physical theatre to stage
combat and they will often be taught this through a certain course or training. This can
be done with teachers or those working professionally in the industry.
An actors Working life is a continuous struggle and many actors will usually have a
second job or work part time to pay for the bills. Actors will often walk into an audition,
get rejected and will rarely get the job or role they wish. Some may drop their pursuit as
an actor and take on a different job in the industry such as production or admin work.
However those that are passionate about acting will persevere and will keep trying until
they get a job. Once they have been casted, the actor will work hard to perform at the
standard of the director. The time spent on work depends on the job; those working in
films work an average of 3 to 6 months during production whereas those on stage can
last for years depending on the show.
Robert Angell on his career path as an actor: "My mum and dad thought I was an idiot,
but they softened a bit as my career developed. When you see what's happened to a lot
of bankers recently, it doesn't look such a silly career choice now.
Image: Ben Affleck acting and
directing Argo
An actors Wage will depend on the type of work he or she is in. Equity is the trade
union for professional actors and other performers who discuss the minimum wage of
the members that have signed with them. The minimum wage will include factors such
as the type of job, the location and how long they will be in the production. Equity will
also provide information and advice on the type of career the actor has chosen and what
progression they can take to further the career.
Actors have a wide variety of Job opportunities from stage to onscreen. Some acting
jobs can demand for a specific skill or feature from an actor which would make them
more or less likely to get the job. An actors job can also branch off to many other jobs in
the performing arts industry and can sometimes be seen as a good career move by
others. This way they can work on different jobs while also using skills they have learnt
as an actor to help them with varied jobs. Many famous actors today are taking a change
in career from acting to directing.
I like acting for myself as a director. I act and
I know Ill have a chance to have some say in
whats gets used and Ill be able to give
myself enough takes and be on the same page
as myself about how the scene should play. I
try to create an environment of total
relaxation for the other actors. You can do
anything you want. You can walk off-camera.
You can have Tourettes syndrome. It doesnt
matter. Anything might be good, and I also
afford myself that same luxury says Ben
Affleck, on directing Argo.









Image: Dance leaders from Billy Elliot
speaking to NU students
PRODUCTION
Dance Captains are members of a
theatre, dance, or other performing
company who maintains the standards of
all choreography and/or musical staging
of a production. The dance captain will
work with other artistic staff to maintain
their idea of how the production is
staged and choreographed. They will
review all choreography and will be
charge for all performers, understudies
and swings spacing and dance on stage.
Any disagreements and issues with the
performers on the choreography will be
down to the Dance captains decision.
They must also ensure that all
performers are well prepared for the
next number.
A Dance captains Education and Training is similar to that of a normal dancer and
one or two who have been casted in the production will usually be assigned as the
dance captain for that production. However there are ways to make the casting director
favour one as a dance captain. They will usually ask for a person who has a stronger
dance background or experience in productions. Training to become workshop leaders
or experience in leadership is desirable for any who wish to be dance captains.
Morgan Marcell says: I was in Los Angeles, training as a dancer, and they had auditions
for In the Heights, which was coming to the L.A. area. I danced for Andy Blankenbuehler,
the choreographer, and they brought me to New York for callbacks and I ended up
becoming the dance captain for the first national tour. So I ended up learning the show
inside and out anyway because my job was to put in new principals and any new cast
members. Andy has trusted me with the choreography he designed, so any time there is
a regional production, they ask me to teach the original choreography.
Few dancers will get the chance to become dance captains, but for those that do, they
have a stronger chance of Progressing onto working closely with choreographers or
becoming a choreographer themselves. Many famous choreographers such as Jose
Limon had done exactly this, working with Doris Humphrey in his early years. With
dance becoming more popularised the variety of progression as a dance captain are
endless. Those who work with tours and concerts will also get the chance move often in
different places maintaining both the performer and their back up dancers on a routine.
Dance captains can either have a pressured or relaxed Work life depending on a few
factors. If the dance captain is also a dancer in the production or has to maintain a large
number of people the dance captain will work more often, however if they are not in the
production their main job is to hold the standards of a shows choreography and
spacing. Similar to that of any performer, a dance captain will tend to have a second job
for when they are not working on any productions. This could be jobs such as running
workshop and dance classes.
The minimum Wage can rise, depending on the performer's role in the show. For
instance, if you're a performer who's also a dance captain, your minimum salary goes up
$300 to $1,809. If you're an assistant dance captain, it goes up $150 says Zachary
Pincus-Roth from Playbill.com.
A dance captain will have a similar salary to that of a performer, but will gain
additionally for maintaining choreography and standard. This makes a dance captains
role more progressive and advantageous for dancers.
Job opportunities for a dance captain can vary from small productions to
international concerts. Their jobs can also branch out not just in the performing arts
industry, but in teaching and tourism also. Many leisure cruises and centres look for
dance captains as activity consultant and managers and will allow the person to travel
and gain additional experience along the way.














ADMINISTRATION
The Theatre Manager is the person who usually runs the front of house
operation and is responsible for all visiting companies as well as recruiting and training
all front of house staff. They oversee any small businesses within the theatre such as
bars, cafes and merchandise booth. Most importantly the theatre manager is
responsible for customer satisfaction; this means making sure there are notices before
shows of any adult content or strobe lighting and making health and safety checks
around the building for hazards.
Many of those who go into theatre management take advantage and gain experience by
working the front of house as ushers and in box office. The Education and
Training is not necessarily important, but many will have had experience working in
theatre or other types of management whether it be retail or office. The suggested
degrees to take are: arts management, theatre study, or business.
Ryan Tyler-Smith, a theatre manager in the Greenwich theatre in London says: Direct
experience is the key to getting your foot in the door in theatre. Apply to be an usher at
your local theatre or art centre. Apply to lots of theatres within your area if need be, but
be prepared to work your way up.
According to Prospects theatre managers spend two to five years in their first job to gain
experience. From here, the person can Progress by moving to a larger theatre or
company which will give them better project work opportunities. Some theatre
managers may also go into event planning and may choose to leave the industry to take
on more challenging management roles which could broaden their choices.
The Work Life for a theatre manager can be stressful and pressured at most times.
Working the front of house tends to be in unsociable hours as most shows will happen
at night and weekends. This however is a key part to the job so any who wishes to go
into this work must be willing to sacrifice social hours. However some perks to the job
would be being able to greet and meet visiting companies. Many who are also doing
theatre management will find a higher Wage than most of the staff at front of house,
earning 25,000 to 40,000 a year.
There are plenty of Job opportunities in theatre management and vary depending
on the type of work. Some may involve organising large events in the theatre or give
rewarding projects to work on. The job will not be a direct approach unless the person
has had some experience in the area of the industry.


References:
1. King, M. (2011). A working life: The actor. Available:
http://www.theguardian.com/money/2011/feb/05/working-life-actor. Last
accessed 21st Feb 2014.
2. Merriefield, N. (2013). Three-year drama training not needed by 'majority of
actors'. Available: http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2013/10/three-year-drama-
training-needed-majority-actors/. Last accessed 21st Feb 2014.
3. Woods, S. (2012). Ben affleck on directing argo. Available:
http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/q-a-ben-affleck-on-directing-argo-
and-surviving-hollywood-20121012. Last accessed 21st Feb 2014.
4. Ginell, C. (2014). Interview With In the Heights Dance Captain Morgan
Marcell. Available: http://vconstage.com/interview-with-in-the-heights-dance-
captain-morgan-marcell/. Last accessed 21st Feb 2014.
5. Pincus-Roth, Z. (2007). Chorus salary. Available:
http://www.playbill.com/features/article/110695-ASK-PLAYBILLCOM-Chorus-
Salary. Last accessed 21st Feb 2014.
6. -. (-). Ryan Tyler-Smith, theatre manager. Available:
http://getintotheatre.org/case-studies/article/ryan-tyler-smith-theatre-manager.
Last accessed 23rd Feb 2014.
Image Reference

Clapp, S. (2013). The Curious Incident of the Dog in the
Night-Time; A Midsummer Night's Dream; Untold Stories
review. Available:
http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2013/mar/17/curious-
incident-midsummer-untold-review. Last accessed 21st
Feb 2014.

Feinberg, S. (2012). 'Argo' Arrives in Hollywood, Cements
Status as Oscar Contender (Analysis). Available:
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/argo-oscar-
contender-ben-affleck-376758. Last accessed 21st Feb
2014.

-. (2011). Stars Of Billy Elliot: The Musical Spend Time
With Niagara University Students. Available:
http://news.niagara.edu/stars-of-billy-elliot-the-musical-
spend-time-with-niagara-university-students/. Last
accessed 21st Feb 2014.