Performers: e.g. Actor

The work involved in the job:

·      job seeking and networking;

·      liaising with an agent;

·      preparing for and attending auditions

·      learning lines and rehearsing;

·      researching or undertaking activities to help prepare for a part

·      performing for a live audience

·      performing in a studio or 'on location' for film, television, internet and radio broadcast;

·      doing voice-overs for advertisements or recording audiobooks;

·      managing the performance area, costumes and props;

·      undertaking activities associated with touring, such as driving a van, ‘get-ins’ and ‘get-outs’ at theatres (i.e. setting up and dismantling the performance area);

·      liaising with venue managers and accommodation providers;

·      keeping records for company managers;

·      working as a walk-on or extra for television or film.

The qualities, skills and qualifications/training the job holder might need:

·      Memorise lines quickly and accurately

·      Posses vocal skills such as good projection

·      Good communication skills

·      Versatile

·      Adaptable

·      Willing to accept and learn from direction

·      Be able to take risks

·      Confident

·      Committed

Although specific training may not be a formal requirement, a very large and increasing number of actors have undertaken formal training in acting or the performing arts.

Any organisations or people they will have to work with or have contact with as part of their job:

·      Agents  -Every actor has their own individual agent. Agents find them auditions that are not open to the general public. Without an agent, actors will find it hard to find many auditions meaning that it is crucial for the agent and actor to have a good, communicative relationship.  An agent would work with the casting director by approaching them with the actor they are representing and pitch why they would be good for the part.

·      Directors – Working actors will most likely have a director in each project they perform in. Actors might meet directors at auditions or after they have been cast. Actors will work incredibly closely with the director to ensure their part is perfected during the rehearsal period. The director has complete control over what the actor does which results in the actor having to take direction and feedback as well as attempt to make offers.

·      Producers – Actors would meet the producer as the audition and would have to make an impact because he would need to be confident enough to invest in the actor financially.

·      Costume fitters – Actors work with costume designers when they have been cast in a project. What a character wears can really help with characterisation and define a characters personality.

·      Sound engineers – Actors would work with sound engineers when rehearsing. If it was in a theatre, they would check that the sound was not too loud over the actor’s voice as well as check the microphone was working effectively. The sound engineer and light engineer would work very closely to find out how the light and sound can both be used effectively.

·      Lighting engineers – Actors would also work with lighting engineers when rehearsing. They would have to communicate weather the light was the right amount of brightness and discover how lighting could make a scene more effective.

·      Make-up artists – Make-up Artists often work with actors to make sure they do not look ‘washed out’ on stage by adding more colour and brightening their faces. They can also be used for special affects make-up e.g. bruises and wrinkles.

·      Casting Directors – Every actor faces casting directors when going into an audition. They have to impress casting agents with their acting skills as well as their memorable personality.  The casting directors would work very closely with the Producer and Director, telling them their opinions but in the end the Director and Producer can make the final call.

Arts Administration: e.g Box Office Staff

The work carried out by box office staff is often centred on a range of short administrative tasks. This can include:

• Taking telephone bookings and ticket purchases
• Advising enquirers about seating and ticket prices
• Issuing tickets on the night of a performance
• Selling programmes and other promotional materials  
• Issuing tickets to ticket agents are supplied with a suitable allocation of tickets and that these are recorded accurately 
• Ensuring the security of the box office and any monies taken, and ensuring that the Box Office takings accurately balance at the end of a shift.

Qualifications/Skills:

• Capability of communicating positively with guests to establish their needs efficiently and courteously.
• Skill to handle cash responsibly and accurately
• Ability to develop a growing knowledge of Ticketmaster
• Computer literate ( full training will be given) Basic understanding of maths to calculate ticket sales
• Presentable to the public and be well spoken and polite both in person and on the phone
• Be confident in handling money and processing card payments
• Be computer literate - although training will be given, volunteers must have a good understanding of computers

Any organisations or people they will have to work with or have contact with as part of their job (in a bulleted point list) –

·      The Public

·      Other members of staff

·      People that are dispatching goods

Production roles: Sound Engineer 

The work involved in the job:

·      Makes sure that any audio or sound that is picked up by microphones, amplifiers, etc. is processed properly.

·      Handles the mixing board and adjusts volume levels of the microphone and the sound coming from various musical instruments used in a performance. 

·      Makes sure the singer can be heard above the instruments while assuring that the whole listening experience is pleasant and well-balanced.

The qualities, skills and qualifications/training the job holder might need:

·      Punctual

·      Flexible

·      Works well with others

·      Willing to travel

·      Can thoroughly conducts mic and sound checks before a performance

·      Surveys the venue to determine the best placement of mics, amps, speakers, etc.

·      Makes sure that the audio/sound can be heard by the whole audience, even those in the back

·      Makes sure the audio/sound, whether live or taped comes out clearly without any disturbances such as mic feedback

·      Knows how to install and repair his/her equipment

Any organisations or people they will have to work with or have contact with as part of their job (in a bulleted point list):

·      Musicians

·      Actors

·      Producers

M2 – Performance Job – Actor

An actor has to possess many skills and qualities in order to have an on-going and successful career. It is crucial to have good communication skills. This includes having a good vocabulary and articulate speech. This is important because it is key to impress casting agents and without good communication, it is easy to not make an impression and to be forgotten instantly. A good memory is also important for memorizing lines. It is common for actors to have to learn lines in a very short amount of time, so having a good memory is a great help. A good physical ability is important as well, as long hours are often required. Timing is also important, this helps to sound natural when speaking lines. Key things such as dedication and