53121 – Actors, comedians and circus performers

Lead statement

Actors and comedians perform roles in motion picture, television, theatre and radio productions to entertain a variety of audiences.

Main duties

• Study and rehearse lines, gestures and expressions to interpret a role
• Portray roles in video or motion picture productions, television shows, theatre productions, radio dramas, commercials and other productions or perform the narration
• Sing or dance as required by specific roles
• Perform comedy acts in nightclubs alone or as members of comedy troupes
• Improvise a role.
• Train students in interpretation of scripts, speech, movement, and dramatic theory
• Prepare acting students for specific auditions and performances.
• perform a variety of acts intended to amaze, thrill, and engage audiences
• conceptualize and choreograph original performances
• study and perform acrobatic and aerial skills required by specific circus shows
• may participate in the development of a director or ringmaster’s vision.

Employment requirements

• Demonstrated ability, based on an audition or previous acting or circus roles, is an important hiring criteria.
• Membership in a guild or union may be required.
• Acting teachers usually require experience as actors.
• Circus performers and acrobats may require a period of study at a circus school.

Example job titles

actor/actress · comedian · performing arts extra · improviser · narrator · voice-over actor · acting teacher - private or studio · dramatic arts teacher - private or studio · drama coach · voice coach · acrobat · circus performer · circus artist · stunt performer - film and theatre

Wages (per hour)

Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.