Performer

Performers are professional entertainers who sing, dance, act, and play music for the enjoyment of others.

Career

Qualifications

Almost all performers have some level of formal performing arts education. While some performers specialize in specific arts, such as dance or an instrument, many are advised or required to be multitalented and proficient in acting, singing, and dancing.

Some performers start studying as children and develop their talents with private tutors, while others attend a performing arts school alongside or after their formal academic education.

Career Progression

Students

All performers begin their career as students. Most performers will study their craft for 1 to 3 years before being offered a position in a company. Most students are amateurs and are not compensated for the duration of their study. Some students can be hired in temporary minor performing roles, but they are not considered to be members of a professional performing arts company.

Junior Company

Junior Companies are made up of performers at the beginning of their careers. Junior Company members usually begin their professional career between the ages of 15 to 25. When performers join a company, they sign a year-long contract that guarantees payment and housing with their employment. After the year, company members can negotiate for an extension of their contract or find other employment. In large cities, there might be competing performing arts companies, and performers may choose to audition for a different company at the end of their contract.

Junior Companies, as they are composed of younger and less experienced performers, will perform for the public or may have lower lords as patrons.

Senior Company

After several years of experience in a Junior Company, performers may be invited to audition for a Senior Company. Senior Companies are more prestigious and sought after. Only incredibly talented performers will excel to a Senior Company. Senior Companies are often patronized by high lords or even royal families. Senior Company members are usually at the height of their career, from around 25 to 45 years old.

Often, Senior Company members will be recognized individually and can be individually patronized and favorited by elite members of society. Their housing accommodations are much grander than Junior Company members, and they can afford a luxurious lifestyle.

During their career, Senior Company members will become individually well known, and their name will grow popular among the elites of the surrounding regions.

A Senior Company before their patrons

Cardinal

Cardinals are the highest level of performers and are given premium roles within Senior Companies. They have at least 10 years of professional experience. Very few performers are elevated to Cardinal status, and are often treated as celebrities. Cardinals are always personally patronized, have endless role opportunities, and have much more agency and creative control.

Cardinal Theatrical Actress

Cardinal Dancer

Instructors

After being part of a company, some performers choose to continue their careers in an educational role. Instructor roles exist at every level. Instructors can tutor individuals, teach large classes of students, or they can be the creative directors of a Junior or Senior Company.

Specialties

Theatrical

Theatrical performers primarily act, performing monologues or engaging in dialogue with other actresses. Theatrical performances can include elements of dance and musical performances. Theatrical performances typically have the most diverse talents and are more often multitalented compared to the other specialties.

Dance

Types of dance vary widely depending on the region. Dancers are often accompanied by performers playing musical instruments.

Musical

Musical performers can specialize in singing or playing musical instruments.

Cardinal Musicians with their specialty instruments

Payment & Reimbursement

Junior Company members are provided with housing and financial compensation during the duration of their contracts. Senior Company members are provided with much higher-quality housing accommodations and higher pay. Cardinals are provided with premium housing that rivals the housing of lower lords and extremely generous pay.

Operations

Workplace

The workplace varies depending on the size and reputation of the company. Junior companies typically perform in public spaces or in theaters that charge audience members a small fee. Senior Companies perform in elite theaters and at private events for lords and royalty.

A large theatre can accommodate elaborate performances before hundreds of audience members. Some theatres include private boxes for the patrons of the performing company.

A Cardinal Dancer performing before patrons

Alternative Names

Actress, Musician, Dancer, Singer

Type

Entertainment

Demand

Luxurious and sought after