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What does a Performer do?

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 3 min read

A performer is someone who entertains an audience by doing something that is creative or memorable. This can be anything from acting in a play to singing a song to doing a magic trick.

Performer job duties include:

  • Rehearse and perform according to direction
  • Learn lines and blocking
  • Develop and maintain characters
  • Study scripts to understand the characters' motivations
  • Work with other actors, directors, and producers
  • Attend auditions
  • Handle personal business matters, such as publicity and agent representation
  • Understand musical notation and be able to sing or play instruments, as required by the role
  • Stay in good physical shape to meet the demands of physically demanding roles

Performer Job Requirements

There are no formal education requirements for performers, although many have at least a high school diploma. Certification is not required, but many performers choose to become certified through organizations such as the National Association of Schools of Dance or the American Ballet Theatre. Experience is also not required, but most performers have at least some experience performing before they audition for roles.

Performer Skills

  • Acting
  • Singing
  • Dancing
  • Playing an instrument
  • Public speaking
  • Storytelling
  • Mime
  • Juggling
  • Magic tricks
  • Acrobatics
  • Ventriloquism

Related: Top Performer Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become a Performer

A performer is someone who entertains an audience through music, acting, dance, or other means. To become a performer, one must be passionate about their art and have a strong desire to entertain others. There are many ways to become a performer, but the most common is to attend a performing arts school.

Performing arts schools offer training in various aspects of the performing arts, such as acting, singing, and dancing. Students learn how to control their bodies and voices, and how to work with other performers. They also learn how to audition for roles and how to manage their careers.

After completing a performing arts program, many performers go on to study at a conservatory or university. Here they learn more about their craft and prepare for a professional career in the performing arts. Some performers also take classes outside of school to improve their skills.

When starting out, most performers work small gigs or jobs until they build up their resume and experience. Once they have established themselves, they can begin auditioning for bigger roles. With hard work and dedication, anyone can become a performer.

Related: Performer Resume Example

Related: Performer Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

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Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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