Academics

The data and information provided on this page for the degree program in Theatre Arts come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Listed below are the Standard Occupational Codes (S.O.C.) for the paid positions for which a Bachelor of Fine Arts for Theatre Arts (B.F.A.) degree might be appropriate qualifications. On this page is also provided employment estimates and mean wage estimates for actors, producers, and directors. In addition, there are links to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics website for all of the information that follows:

 

27-2010 Actors, Producers, Directors

 

• Nature of the Work
• Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement
• Employment
• Job Outlook
• Projections
• Earnings
• Wages
• Related Occupations
• Sources of Additional Information

 

 

27-2011 - Actors

 

Play parts in stage, television, radio, video, or motion picture productions for entertainment, information, or instruction. Interpret serious or comic roles by speech, gesture, and body movement to entertain or inform audiences. May dance and sing.

 

Sample of reported job titles: Actor, Actress, Comedian, Comic, Community Theater Actor, Narrator, Voice-Over Artist, Stand Up Comedian, Theatre Ensemble Member, Understudy

 

Significant Points




*Actors endure long periods of unemployment, intense competition for roles, and frequent rejections in auditions.

 

*Formal training through a university or acting conservatory is typical; however, many actors, producers, and directors find work on the basis of their experience and talent alone.

 

*Because earnings may be erratic, many actors, producers, and directors supplement their incomes by holding jobs in other fields.

 

National estimates for this occupation
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Projections Data About this section

Projections data from the National Employment Matrix

Occupational Title	SOC Code	Employment, 2008	Projected Employment, 2018	Change, 2008-18		Detailed Statistics
				Number	Percent
Actors, producers, and directors	27-2010	155,100	172,000	16,900	11	[PDF]	[XLS]
Actors	27-2011	56,500	63,700	7,200	13	[PDF]	[XLS]
Producers and directors	27-2012	98,600	108,300	9,700	10	[PDF]	[XLS]
NOTE: Data in this table are rounded. See the discussion of the employment projections table in the Handbook introductory chapter on Occupational Information Included in the Handbook.

 

27-2012 Producers and Directors

 

Produce or direct stage, television, radio, video, or motion picture productions for entertainment, information, or instruction. Responsible for creative decisions, such as interpretation of script, choice of actors or guests, set design, sound, special effects, and choreography.

 

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Industry profile for this occupation: Top

Industries with the highest published employment and wages for this occupation are provided. For a list of all industries with employment in this occupation, see the Create Customized Tables function.

 

 

27-2030 Dancers and Choreographers

 

• Nature of the Work
• Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement
• Employment
• Job Outlook
• Projections
• Earnings
• Wages
• Related Occupations
• Sources of Additional Information

 

 

 

This broad occupation includes the following two detailed occupations:

 

27-2031 Dancers
27-2032 Choreographers

 

 

27-2031 Dancers

Perform dances. May perform on stage, for on-air broadcasting, or for video recording
Illustrative examples: Tap Dancer, Dance Artist, Ballerina

 

Perform dances. May perform on stage, for on-air broadcasting, or for video recording

 

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Percentile wage estimates for this occupation:

 

Industries with the highest published employment and wages for this occupation are provided. For a list of all industries with employment in this occupation, see the Create Customized Tables function.

 

 

27-2032 Choreographers

Create new dance routines. Rehearse performance of routines. May direct and stage presentations.
Illustrative examples: Dance Director, Dance Master

 

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27-1027 Set and Exhibit Designers

 

Design special exhibits and movie, television, and theater sets. May study scripts, confer with directors, and conduct research to determine appropriate architectural styles.

 

 

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27-2099 Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other

 

All entertainers and performers, sports and related workers not listed separately.

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39-3092 Costume Attendants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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