A career in performing arts...

Performing arts are those that require the artist to use their body and presence as medium. People with careers in performing arts generally work in theatre, musicals, dance, opera and circus. 

The performing arts sector is very big and diverse as it involves not only the performers, but also backstage workers, directors, producers, choreographers, stage managers and technical staff.

Research by Creative and Cultural Skills shows that there are almost 85,000 people working in the industry, of which more than a third (36 per cent) work in London.

How to enter the industry

Entry into the sector generally occurs through looking out for vacancies and auditioning. However, experience is always regarded highly so those interested in a career in performing arts often undertake unpaid internships or work experience to improve their skills.

There are also a number of specialist training providers, like the Central School of Speech and Drama, the Royal Academy of Dance and the English National Ballet School. These, however, have limited spaces each year and competition to secure a seat is intense.

Most people entering the industry obtain a qualification from their school or college. A number of colleges and universities now offer a diploma in performing arts, theatre or dance.

Working in the industry

Working in performing arts can be exhausting as late nights and weekend work are involved on a routine basis, but it is also glamorous and exciting, particularly for performers, actors and dancers.

Low pay is another drawback for people working in the sector but this is slowly changing. Recently, performers' union Equity negotiated a minimum pay and maximum working hours agreement with the Society of London Theatre. The deal includes a consensus on Sunday pay and increased holiday entitlement.

Stephen Spence, assistant general secretary of live performance at Equity, said at the time: 'The new agreement includes Sunday performances, some additional payments have been included in the new minimum wages and the usage of the Electronic Press Kit has been extended to allow greater scope to promote productions.'

He added: 'The result means significant increases in minimum rates of pay have been achieved, effectively ending low pay minimums in the West End for the future.

Issues affecting performing arts

One of the issues affecting the industry at present is a shortage of skilled backstage workers and technicians. Research by Creative and Cultural Skills published last year revealed that a lack of appropriate skills may end up in a shortage of 30,000 workers by 2017.

Steps are being taken to address this issue. One is the launch of Creative Apprenticeships and the Theatre Skills Academy. An employer-focused pilot scheme will be run in Scotland this year, offering education and training in key areas like live events, theatrical technical skills and venue operation.

'Both the Creative Apprenticeship and the Technical Theatre Skills Academy are responding to the needs of employers,' said Karen Whitefield MSP at the launch of the programme. 'I also welcome the fact that the Creative Apprenticeship is based much more on ability and potential than on academic history.'

Health and safety is another concern for those working in performing arts, especially dancers. Research by Dance UK in 2005 revealed that 80 per cent of people working in the sector suffer at least one injury each year which affects their ability to perform.

A new scheme to reduce workplace injuries and improve health and safety amongst performers was launched last year. The Dancer's Pilot Health Scheme is an in-depth research project set up by Dance UK in partnership with experts at the Olympic Medical Institute, Laban, the University of Wolverhampton and Birmingham Royal Ballet's Jerwood Centre for the Prevention and Treatment of Dance Injuries.

The programme will look into how dancers can maintain their health, prevent injuries and what medication they should undergo if they do get injured while performing.

The future of performing arts

Performing arts' history goes back centuries so there is no reason to suppose that this is a dying industry. As figures show, more and more people attend West End performances each year - a record 13.8 million people visited London theatres in 2008.

Nica Burns, president of the Society of London Theatre, which published the data last month, said: 'Behind these figures are many very talented hard-working people putting on and selling world-class shows that people actually want to see. There's a lot of economic doom and gloom out there, but it would seem people still want to be entertained and stimulated in numbers.'