Performing Arts

This page has been designed to give a starting point for those looking into careers in Performing Arts - including performance, presenting and performance production.

You might also find our information on careers in music useful.

What are careers in the performing arts?

According to the Creative and Cultural Skills Council the performing arts sector covers theatre, musical theatre, dance, opera, puppetry, mime, carnival, street and circus arts as well as all the support functions and roles which bring these artforms to the fore. The visual arts industry covers a range of art forms, including painting, sculpture, photography and new media. The industry is highly diverse and includes players ranging from large commercial companies to small and microfirm groups who may be dependent on both public and private financial support.

How do I get into it?

Getting into any role in the performing arts will be competitive. The following links provide further information for different sectors within the performing arts industry about the different things to consider when looking at a career in the performing arts.

General

Acting

  • The Conference of Drama Schools
    Includes online resources including directories of schools and funding contacts and a guide to backstage careers.
  • Drama UK
    Links to member schools offering courses in theatre and media.
  • Get Into Theatre
    Funded by the Arts Council England this website introduces over 80 possible careers within the theatre industry. It includes interactive features such as a CV clinic, an expert panel and games.
  • Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA)
    Information for those interested in a career within the dramatic arts.

Dance

A variety of roles exist for dance graduates or those interested in dance - performers, teachers (including community dance teaching), choreography, choreology,notation, therapy, management/promotion, history/archive etc.

Roles as performers are extremely competitive and likely to require specialist training at dance academies.

  • BBC Blast - Dance and Drama
    This website has information, tips and advice and getting into the dance world. You will also find links to sources of further information about dance careers, such as Dance UK.
    Caution: Last updated 02/2011. Use for reference only.
  • Council for Dance Education and Training
    Promotes excellence in dance education and training. It accredits courses at vocational dance schools and advocates on behalf of private dance training. You will also find a careers section.
  • National Dance Teachers Association
    This website has a section detailing the possibilities in dance.
  • Royal Academy of Dance
    The Royal Academy of Dance promotes knowledge, understanding and practice of dance internationally.
  • The Royal Ballet School
    Trains and educates outstanding classical ballet dancers for The Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet and other top international dance companies, and in doing so to set the standards in dance training, nationally and internationally.

Finding a job or employer in this sector

There is little labour market information available to show how many people are currently working in the UK performing arts industry and what role.

  • Actor's 1 Stop Shop
    As well as services on the show reel, photographic and CV front, the one-stop shop supplies regular back-up/support-allowing actors to access expertise and career advice on a free, ongoing basis.
  • Artyfacts
    University of Brighton newsletter for Arts and Architecture students.
  • BBC Careers
    Vacancies, case studies and FAQs.
  • Castcall
    Casting Information Service which emails direct a list of casting calls three times a week.
  • Production Base
    Post a CV to be viewed by production companies and broadcasters.
  • Skillset
    Skillset produces a range of research covering employment, skills analyses and workforce surveys.
  • Spotlight
    As the industry's leading casting resource, Spotlight is used by most TV, Film, Radio and Theatrical companies throughout the UK, and many worldwide.
  • The Stage
    Entertainment trade weekly, includes vacancies and auditions for designers, theatre technicians, scenic artists and arts administrators.

Sussex based performing arts organisations and resources

  • Brighton and Hove Music and Performing Arts
    Part of Brighton and Hove City Council's Children and Young People's Trust and provides a holistic range of music and performing arts education and performance opportunities for children and young people across the city as well as offering curriculum support to our colleagues in schools.
  • Brighton Festival
    Organisers of the annual Brighton Festival programme of events taking place across the city during May.
  • Brighton Fringe Festival
    The Brighton Festival Fringe is a service organisation that supports artists, producers and audiences.  It exists to encourage the development and promotion of arts and entertainment activity.
  • New Venture Theatre (NVT)
    NVT is a community theatre, committed not only to achieving the highest standards on stage, but also to cultivating original work.
  • South East Dance
    Provides commissions, productions, tours, training and information for professional and amateur dance artists, venues and arts/cultural organisations.

Further information and useful links

General arts organisations

  • Arts Council England
    National development agency for the arts in England. Includes ArtsJobs which details current vacancies and opportunities in the arts community and ArtsNews which details arts events, news and press releases.
  • The Circus Space
    Aims to enable the creation of a breadth of excellent and innovative circus in Britain.
  • The Comedy School
    The Comedy School is the only arts organisation of its kind in the UK which works with comedy in many different settings.
  • Creative Choices
    Developing your career in the creative and cultural industries. Includes sector-specific information.
  • The London School of Puppetry
    Here students train to become freelance artists specifically in the discipline of puppetry.
  • The Magic Circle
    This is the most prestigious society in the fascinating world of magic and illusion.
  • The White Book
    Lists leading businesses in every sector of the media industry, from concert production and promotion, publicity and marketing to manufacturers, conference and exhibition industries. It also incorporates record companies, TV film and video industries, through to artistes, agents and managers.

Acting

Dancing

  • Dancing Times Ltd
    Seeks to maintain the highest standards of criticism and illustration, give voice to leading authorities, encourage high standards of teaching, encourage awareness of dance history and stress the importance of dance in education.
  • Dance UK
    Works with and on behalf of dance, providing information, publications, networks, forums for debate and conferences.
  • Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance
    The UK’s only conservatoire of music and contemporary dance.

Theatre technicians/designers

  • Association of British Theatre Technicians
    Information and advice for anyone wishing to work backstage
  • Independent Theatre Council
    Represents a wide range of performing arts organisations, venues and individuals in the fields of drama, dance, opera, music theatre, puppetry, mixed media, mime, physical theatre and circus. Site includes lots of training information
  • Society of British Theatre Designers
    Designers/Agents register and contact details. Aims to enhance the standing of British theatre design at home and abroad good links page for theatre design related websites

Funding

Key points 

  • The performing arts sector covers everything from theatre to support roles such as arts administration.
  • The industry is highly diverse and includes players ranging from large commercial companies to small and microfirm groups.
  • The visual arts industry covers a range of art forms, including painting, sculpture, photography and new media.