Actors
Play parts in stage, television, radio, video, or film productions, or other settings for entertainment, information, or instruction. Interpret serious or comic role by speech, gesture, and body movement to entertain or inform audience. May dance and sing.
Also called: Actor · Actress · Comedian · Comic · Community Theater Actor · Ensemble Member
Outlook 2024–34
+0.3%
~6,300 openings/yr
Typical entry
Some college, no degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +0.3% from 2024 to 2034 — slower than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 6,300 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Active Listening as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Writing
- Learning Strategies
- Active Learning
- Science
- Mathematics
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Collaborate with other actors as part of an ensemble.
- Portray and interpret roles, using speech, gestures, and body movements, to entertain, inform, or instruct radio, film, television, or live audiences.
- Work closely with directors, other actors, and playwrights to find the interpretation most suited to the role.
- Perform humorous and serious interpretations of emotions, actions, and situations, using body movements, facial expressions, and gestures.
- Study and rehearse roles from scripts to interpret, learn and memorize lines, stunts, and cues as directed.
- Learn about characters in scripts and their relationships to each other to develop role interpretations.
- Attend auditions and casting calls to audition for roles.
- Sing or dance during dramatic or comedic performances.
- Work with other crew members responsible for lighting, costumes, make-up, and props.
- Tell jokes, perform comic dances, songs and skits, impersonate mannerisms and voices of others, contort face, and use other devices to amuse audiences.
Tools & technology
- Linux
- TikTok
- Zoom
- Apple Final Cut Pro
- FileMaker Pro
- Motion capture software
- Web browser software
- Website development software
- YouTube
- Email software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
Knowledge areas
- Fine Arts
- English Language
- Communications and Media
- Sociology and Anthropology
- Psychology
- Customer and Personal Service
- Sales and Marketing
- Education and Training