How to become an actor, comedian or circus performer
Official title: Actors, comedians and circus performers
Also called: Comedian, Drama actor, Movie actor, Actor/actress, Circus artist, Circus performer, Voice-over actor, Stand-up comedian, Stunt performer - film and theatre, Slack-rope performer - entertainment, Acrobat, Juggler
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.
Main tasks
- 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
How to become one
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.
Ways in
- College or CEGEP: College or CEGEP program. 29% of workers hold a college or other non-degree diploma (Census 2021). Common fields: Drama/theatre arts and stagecraft; Communication and media studies; Music.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $47,054 a year The middle half earn $36,543 to $59,631.
- About 14,900 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 17,300 are projected by 2033. (+16.1%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: balance.
Related jobs
- Dancers
- Painters, sculptors and other visual artists
- Theatre, fashion, exhibit and other creative designers
- Artisans and craftspersons
- Patternmakers - textile, leather and fur products
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Questions people ask
How do I become an actor, comedian or circus performer?
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.
How much does an actor, comedian or circus performer earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $47,054 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $36,543 to $59,631.
Is an actor, comedian or circus performer a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 16% by 2033, from about 14,900 to about 17,300 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become an actor, comedian or circus performer?
Not always. 38% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: College or CEGEP program.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03