ACTORS, DIRECTORS, AND PRODUCERS

Nature of the Work

Actors, directors, and producers create a visual and aural image based on written words of a script in theaters, film, television, and radio.  They make the words come alive for their audiences.  Actors entertain and communicate with people through their interpretation of dramatic roles.  Actors read scripts and decide how they want to interpret their role. Directors interpret plays or scripts.  In addition, they audition and select cast members, conduct rehearsals, and direct the work of the cast and crew. Producers are entrepreneurs.  They select plays or scripts, arrange financing, and decide on the size of the production and its budget. 

Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement

Aspiring actors and directors should take part in high school and college plays, or work with little theaters and other acting groups for experience.

Formal dramatic training or acting experience is generally necessary, although some people enter the field without it.  Many experienced actors get formal training to learn new skills and improve old ones.  Training can be obtained at dramatic arts schools in New York and Los Angeles, and at colleges and universities throughout the country offering bachelor's or higher degrees in dramatic and theater arts.  College drama curriculums usually include courses in liberal arts, stage speech and movement, directing, playwriting, play production, design, and history of the drama, as well as practical courses in acting.

Job Outlook

Employment of actors, directors, and producers is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2005.  In addition, workers leaving the field will create as many job openings as will growth.  Nevertheless, the large number of people desiring acting careers and the lack of formal entry requirements should cause keen competition for actor, director, and producer jobs.  Only the most talented should continue to find regular employment.

Earnings

The minimum weekly salary for actors in Broadway stage productions was $950 in 1993.  Those in small off-Broadway theaters received minimums ranging from $340 to $579 a week, depending on the seating capacity of the theater.  For shows on the road, actors receive an additional $80 per day.

In 1993, motion picture and television actors with speaking parts earned a minimum daily rate of $485, or $1,685 for a 5-day week. Those without speaking parts, extras, earned a minimum daily rate of $99.

Earnings of stage directors vary greatly.  The top money is on Broadway $36,750 for a rehearsal period, which usually lasts 5 weeks.  Regional theaters paid directors from $3,415 to $13,595 for a 3 to 5 week rehearsal period.  Small dinner theaters and summer stock pay much less $685 to $1,311 per week but offer the most employment opportunities.  Producers seldom get a set fee; instead, they get a percentage of a show's earnings or ticket sales.

Additional information can be obtained by contacting the following organizations:

Theatre Communications Group, Inc., 355 Lexington Ave., New York, NY 10017.

National Association of Schools of Theatre, 11250 Roger Bacon Dr., Suite 21, Reston, VA 22090.

