Actor : Career development

There is no standard career progression for an actor. Some actors spend their whole career moving from one acting contract to another, performing similar work without gaining extra responsibility or a significant increase in pay. Success with one contract does not necessarily lead immediately to more work and you may move between theatre, television and film. You must be prepared for the ups and downs and the lack of security which is inherent in the profession.

Career progression may take the form of learning new skills and specialising in these or in branching out into different areas of performance. There may also be opportunities to move into other aspects of the work, such as managing theatre companies, scriptwriting or directing. This is more likely in smaller companies, where these skills can be combined with acting. Some actors set up their own theatre or film/television production companies.

Most actors spend time in other types of jobs and so have built up a range of transferable skills, which may help them move into related careers, such as teaching or lecturing, drama therapy or training. Some use positions as marketing or box office staff at theatres to support their acting career while working in the same or similar environment.