Performers entertain, inform and inspire us. They provide enjoyable and/or memorable experiences at concerts, live theatre, opera or dance, through film or TV productions, and at circuses, festivals, parties and other events.

The main types of performers are:

• actors
• entertainers - anything from comedians to circus performers
• dancers - from ballet to ballroom
• musicians and singers

For some performances and productions, you need a mixture of skills. For example, in musical theatre you may have to act, dance and sing.

Below you'll find links to videos created by employers and organisations in the sector to help you get a taste of what working in this sector is like.

News:

A message from The National Saturday Club:

We are part of a UK-wide network, supported by Arts Council England and the Department for Education.  
The National Saturday Club programme is FREE, has no exams and offers 13–16-year-olds a unique opportunity to build their skills, develop their confidence, and discover pathways to further study and future careers.

With a particular focus on engaging young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and underrepresented communities, the National Saturday Club’s established model has proven impact.
  
We have just opened applications for next academic years clubs.
There are several exciting opportunities for young people in the area that you work in, including:
City of Oxford College; Fashion&Business and Craft&Making
Reading College; Art&Design, Fashion&Business and Film&Screen
Banbury and Bicester College; Film&Screen and Art&Design
Bracknell and Wokingham College; Film&Screen

We would love an opportunity to meet with you, to give you more information about the clubs, and discuss how we can support the young people that you work with access this opportunity. Please let me know if you have any availability over the coming weeks. Email: [email protected] 
Website: https://saturday-club.org/ 

Message from BOA Stage and Screen Production Academy: 

VIRTUAL OPEN EVENTS: COURSES & CAREERS IN THE CREATIVE INDUSTRIES
THURSDAY 20 JUNE 2024
(6PM - 7PM)
Learn more about our range of post-16 pathways and how studying with us can prepare you for a career in the creative industries. This short online presentation session will provide all the information you need to know about studying at BOA Stage and Screen Production Academy. 

During this LIVE 60-minute online presentation, we aim to provide;

Useful facts and figures about employment in the creative sector - what jobs are out there? How do you make a living as a creative person?
An overview of each of our different vocational study pathways and how these can lead to career opportunities.
Real-life examples of graduate success - hear about what our students have gone on to achieve. 
A chance to find out about our specialist production facilities, placement opportunities and our links to partners such as PRG, BBC, the RSC and the Old Rep.
Find out more about the application process and how to secure your place for 2024. 
The event will be hosted via Microsoft Teams (Link will be shared with all registered attendees prior to the event)

REGISTER YOUR PLACE

Videos:

Filmmaking and creating: Join pro filmmaker and Panasonic LUMIX shooter Tommy Rowe/Rowe Films for this free, live webinar on how to build a career in video. 

Subject Guide Videos:
An impartial guide to university courses - featuring expert speakers and on demand webinars.
These impartial videos support students who are considering university to make informed future subject decisions. They feature guest speakers from a range of different universities, who are always experts in the subject being explored. 

Unifrog Free Webinars:

Live webinars across a variety of careers - requires booking.

Adviza Podcasts and Past Webinars:

Podcasts for Performing Arts

News Article - So you want to be an actor?

We have recorded many useful webinars with a huge variety of employers and sector champions. Have a look in our Past Webinar section.

Don't forget to have a look at the upcoming webinars in our Events section!

Virtual work experience opportunities:

Peer Productions is an award-winning youth arts charity that specialise in combining high quality arts practice and learning with peer education. Open to applicants between 18-24, The Peer Actor Development Programme (PAD) can help participants continue learning whilst using their talent to make a difference in the lives of other young people. If you are an aspiring young actor looking to take their next career steps, click here to find out more.

Virtual Work Experience Opportunity With The Lowry: The Lowry is offering Virtual Work Experience for young people aged 14-16 interested in the Arts & Culture Industry.

Speakers For Schools

Try different jobs in real life through free VWEX so you can find the best fit for you.  Speakers for Schools are a non-profit organisation offering free UK-wide work experience. 

Explore Forage Work Experience Programs  

Media to Explore:

Many young people have been inspired by TV shows, movies etc. to follow a particular career. We have collated some resources here for you to discover. We have included podcasts because they are the best way to get real insight into the industry’s current dynamics and are a great way to demonstrate knowledge and passion in personal statements and interviews.

Please note, we have not specified the platforms for these resources as they can change over time. We suggest you do a web search for the title – you will often find them on YouTube in their entirety. Some titles will only be available for a fee or subscription.

Please be aware that not all of the titles below are appropriate for all ages. Please check the age appropriateness before watching. Common sense media are a good resource to use to do this.

TV Factual: Backstage, Stage School, Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened, Move, Nureyev

TV Reality:  Stage School, Taking The Stage, Bring The Drama (IPlayer)

TV Drama: Smash, Glee, Fosse / Verdon

Film: Pitch Perfect, Fame, Birdman, Don’t Think Twice, All About Eve

Radio & Podcasts: BBC - The Film Show, Screen Time, Screenshot, Front Row

The Show People, British Theatre Guide podcast, Production Meetings, Making Theatre, The Theatre podcast with Alan Seales, Twins Talk Theatre, UK Film Review, Filmspotting, And The Academy Award goes to, Writers Room, And The Writer is (music), Creative Juice, Your Music Industry, Switched on Pop, Music Works, The Business

Plus:

Check Sky Arts for regular documentaries on film, music, dance etc.

The Arts Channel  - yearly subscription site

BBC4

The Eric app

The Eric app is for young people who are 16+ with an interest in careers in the creative industries.

So if you're looking for work experiences or internships, creative competitions, careers events or workshops & other early-careers opportunities take a look! 

Useful Websites:

eCLIPS Careers in performance and see 'related leaflets' for further careers. 

Discover Creative Careers - to explore careers in various areas of performance and to find out about events, workplace visits and work experience opportunities.

Acting and Theatre

Federation of Drama Schools - network of around 20 drama schools that offer practical, conservatoire-style vocational training.

Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre (CDMT) - for CDMT-accredited schools and colleges. Click on 'Advocacy' for information on the free service for anyone with questions about professional drama or musical theatre training.

Conservatoires UK - Body representing all 11 conservatoires.

Trinity College London - for information about the College's qualifications in drama and related subjects.

National Association of Youth Theatres

Spotlight - connects performers with roles in theatre, TV and film. Joining Spotlight is a way to market yourself for professional work.

The Stage - digital publication available weekly. Features job vacancies and news from the performing industry. Lots of information, including a link to details about castings and auditions.

Creative & Cultural Skills - the skills body for the creative and cultural industries, including theatre.  

UK Theatre - see website for information on training and events, industry news, job vacancies etc.

National Theatre - for information on Apprenticeships, work placements and vacancies.

Get Into Theatre - you can explore careers in theatre.

UCAS - Conservatoires

Film and TV

ScreenSkills - the skills body for the screen-based industries, including film and TV. For job profiles and information on entry routes, training, careers events, bursaries and mentoring.

Film Buddy - Arranges work experience for students in film & TV.

My First Job in Film - Guidance on getting your first job on the film and TV industry.

Discover! Creative Careers - to explore careers in the creative industries, including in film and TV, and to find out about events and work experience.

BFI (British Film Institute) - runs the BFI Film Academy, which offers opportunities for young people to develop relevant skills and learn about the industry, delivered through various training providers.

BBC Academy - website has information on getting into TV and on making TV programmes.

British Council Film - for information on the film industry.

Into Film - supports education through film. Organises film clubs, competitions and events.

Guru - you can hear some of the most successful people in film and TV give insights into their experiences.

TV companies (see the following websites for vacancies and information on any work experience placements, trainee schemes, Apprenticeships etc):

BBC
ITV
ITN
Channel 4
ViacomCBS (operates Channel 5, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, MTV and other brands)
BT TV
Sky (incorporates NOW TV)
Netflix

Dance and Dance Teaching

Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre (CDMT) - for CDMT-accredited schools and colleges. Click on 'Advocacy' for information on the free service for anyone with questions about professional drama or musical theatre training.

British Dance Council - the website carries information on dance teaching (click on 'About Dance'), and you can also search for dance schools in your area.

One Dance UK - national membership organisation for dancers and dance teachers. The website includes information on mentoring, networking, professional development, and advice on health and fitness in relation to dance.

Theatre Dance Council International

Providers of vocational training for dancers can be found through the CDMT website above and:
Conservatoire for Dance and Drama institutions
Dance and Drama Awards scheme 

other providers of vocational training for dancers include:

The Royal Ballet School 
Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance 

The following organisations are validated by CDMT and offer dance/dance teaching qualifications and/or support for teachers:

bbodance 
British Association of Teachers of Dancing 
British Theatre Dance Association 
Conservatoires UK - Body representing all 11 conservatoires.
Graded Qualifications Alliance 
Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) 
International Dance Teachers' Association (IDTA) 
National Association of Teachers of Dancing 
Professional Teachers of Dancing 
Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) 
RSL Awards 
Russian Ballet Society 
Scottish Dance Teachers' Alliance 
Trinity College London 
UCAS - Conservatoires
UKA Dance 
UTD (United Teachers of Dance) 

Musicians and singers

ABRSM - in partnership with the Royal Schools of Music, ABRSM offers graded music and singing exams, and offers support, courses/events for teachers.

Association of British Orchestras - the website has links to orchestras in the UK (see under 'Directory')

BBC Introducing - supports new musicians and singers by playing their tracks on local radio.

BPI (British Phonograpic Industry) - the trade body representing the UK's recorded music industry.

Conservatoires UK - Body representing all 11 conservatoires.

ISM (Incorporated Society of Musicians) - the UK professional body for musicians.

Music Mark - a national network of organisations and individuals involved in music education.

Sound Sense - professional association for community musicians.

Youth Music - a charity providing music-making opportunities for children and young people experiencing challenging circumstances.

Making Music - job directory

Musicians' Handbook - a guide for professional and aspiring musicians.

Creative & Cultural Skills - the skills body for the creative and cultural industries, including music.

Musical Chairs - Job directory for classical musicians

Musicians' Union - represents over 30,000 people working in all sectors of the music business. As well as negotiating with major employers, the MU offers a range of services and the website has career guides and advice on various topics. Student membership is available at a discounted rate.

Music at Oxford University - Guide to courses and appplication

Prospects - General career advice

Spirit Studios - based in Manchester, offers industry, academic and short courses in music production and sound engineering, the music business, and DJing.

Publications such as Music Week (and their associated websites) contain industry information and job vacancies.

Showcase - The International Music Business Guide - provides contact information on organisations providing services to the music industry, including recording services, licensing and music publishers, studios, live events etc.

UCAS - Conservatoires

UK Music - Comprehensive guide to qualifications and careers in the wider UK music industry.

Sound Recording and Radio Work

Institute of Acoustics - for careers information.

JAMES (Joint Audio Media Education Support) - on the website, under 'Resources', click on 'Careers Advice' for information on education and careers in sound recording, and click on 'Business Guide' for general careers information and music business guidance; you'll also find information on workshops, seminars and events.

BBC - information about careers, vacancies, work experience, Apprenticeships and trainee schemes etc is available on.

BBC Academy

Bauer Media Group - brands include Absolute Radio, Kiss, Kerrang!, Planet Rock, Radio City and Magic.

Global Radio - brands include Heart, Capital, Smooth, Classic FM and Gold.

Community Media Association - the representative body for the community broadcasting sector.

BECTU - the media and entertainment union.

The Radio Academy - runs regional and national events for members aiming for careers in radio.

Radiocentre - the industry body for commercial radio; offers training and events.

Audio UK - the trade association for UK professional audio production companies (including radio). Provides training in a range of audio skills.