Actors

Play parts in stage, television, radio, video, or motion picture productions 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.

Tasks

• Study and rehearse roles from scripts in order to interpret, learn and memorize lines, stunts, and cues as directed.
• Work closely with directors, other actors, and playwrights to find the interpretation most suited to the role.
• Learn about characters in scripts and their relationships to each other in order to develop role interpretations.
• Collaborate with other actors as part of an ensemble.
• Perform humorous and serious interpretations of emotions, actions, and situations, using body movements, facial expressions, and gestures.
• Attend auditions and casting calls in order to audition for roles.
• Portray and interpret roles, using speech, gestures, and body movements in order to entertain, inform, or instruct radio, film, television, or live audiences.
• Work with other crewmembers responsible for lighting, costumes, makeup, and props.
• Sing and/or dance during dramatic or comedic performances.
• Read from scripts or books to narrate action or to inform or entertain audiences, utilizing few or no stage props.
• Promote productions using means such as interviews about plays or movies.
• Write original or adapted material for dramas, comedies, puppet shows, narration, or other performances.
• Prepare and perform action stunts for motion picture, television, or stage productions.
• Tell jokes, perform comic dances, songs and skits, impersonate mannerisms and voices of others, contort face, and use other devices to amuse audiences.
• Introduce performances and performers in order to stimulate excitement and coordinate smooth transition of acts during events.
• Manipulate strings, wires, rods, or fingers to animate puppets or dummies in synchronization with talking, singing, or recorded programs.
• Dress in comical clown costumes and makeup, and perform comedy routines to entertain audiences.
• Perform original and stock tricks of illusion to entertain and mystify audiences, occasionally including audience members as participants.
• Construct puppets and ventriloquist dummies, and sew accessory clothing, using hand tools and machines.

Abilities

• Oral Expression

  The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

• Speech Clarity

  The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

• Oral Comprehension

  The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

• Memorization

  The ability to remember information such as words, numbers, pictures, and procedures.

• Near Vision

  The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

• Written Comprehension

  The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

• Originality

  The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.

Knowledge

• Fine Arts

  Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.

• English Language

  Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

• Psychology

  Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

Skills

• Speaking

  Talking to others to convey information effectively.

• Active Listening

  Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

• Social Perceptiveness

  Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

• Reading Comprehension

  Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

• Coordination

  Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

• Time Management

  Managing one's own time and the time of others.

• Critical Thinking

  Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

• Learning Strategies

  Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

• Monitoring

  Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

• Judgment and Decision Making

  Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

• Persuasion

  Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

• Active Learning

  Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Detailed information about this career can be found at the ONET Online website.