53121
Canada Moderate

Actors, comedians and circus performers

Actors, comedians and circus performers perform roles and circus skills in circuses, motion picture, television, theatre and radio productions to entertain a variety of audiences. They are employed by motion picture, television, circuses, theatre and other production companies. This unit group includes acting teachers employed by private acting schools.

Employment Outlooks

Economic Region Outlooks

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Salary Information

National wage data for this occupation
Entry-level
CA$16.75
/hr
Typical
CA$24.13
/hr
Experienced
CA$39.97
/hr

Average: CA$26.75/hr

Source: Job Bank Canada. Wages may vary by region and experience.

Examples

Illustrative Examples
  • comedian
  • acrobat
  • acting teacher - private or studio
  • actor/actress
  • circus performer
  • clown
  • drama teacher - private or studio
  • narrator
All Examples
  • acrobat
  • acting teacher - private or studio
  • actor/actress
  • aerial acrobat - entertainment
  • circus artist
  • circus performer
  • clown
  • comedian
  • comic
  • contortionist
  • diction coach
  • drama actor
  • drama coach
  • drama teacher - private or studio
  • dramatic arts teacher - private or studio
  • dramatic reader
  • entertainer
  • equilibrist
  • film dubber
  • high-wire walker
  • humorist - performing arts
  • hypnotist
  • illusionist
  • impersonator
  • improviser
  • juggler
  • mime
  • mimic
  • movie actor
  • narrator
  • performing arts extra
  • reader - performing arts
  • show horse rider
  • slack-rope performer - entertainment
  • standardized patient
  • stand-in
  • stand-up comedian
  • story teller
  • straight man
  • stunt performer - film and theatre
  • trapeze artist
  • voice coach
  • voice-over actor

Main Duties

Main Duties
  • This group performs some or all of the following duties:
  • Actors and comedians
  • 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.
  • Acting teachers
  • Train students in interpretation of scripts, speech, movement, and dramatic theory
  • Prepare acting students for specific auditions and performances.
  • Circus performers
  • 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

Requirements

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

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Data from Statistics Canada (NOC 2021), ESDC Labour Market Information, and Job Bank Canada