INTRODUCTION
As our society becomes increasingly affluent, there is naturally more demand for quality entertainment. Those who wish to make a career out of performing arts are definitely not short of a vocation.

JOB DESCRIPTION
Job opportunities in performing arts include:

(a) Actor/Actress
- Studies scripts and rehearses parts, lines and cues.
- Decides on how to portray characters through verbal expressions, movements and gestures.
- May have to sing and dance for some roles.
- May specialise in tragedy, comedy, farce or musical.
- Consults directors and voice coaches to improve portrayal of characters.

(b) Theatrical Director
- Selects suitable actors/actresses for motion pictures or stage performances and interprets respective roles to them, directs rehearsals, supervises and co-ordinates activities of cameramen, scenery designers, sound technicians and property men.
- Studies selected scripts or stories.
- Directs actions, gestures and dialogues of actors/actresses.
- Selects locations for shooting and supervises the setting up of sets and stages.

(c) Radio and Television Broadcasting Director
- Interprets presentations, conducts rehearsals and directs broadcasting of performances.
- Specialises in directing cast, cameramen and other technicians from a control room during radio or television broadcasts or productions.

(d) Producer
- Co-ordinates activities of personnel engaged in writing, directing, editing and producing motion pictures.
- Reviews scripts and directs adaptation for screen.
- Establishes operating budgets.
- Obtains costumes, props, music and other equipment or personnel to complete productions.
- Outlines programmes to be produced to scriptwriters and evaluates finished scripts.
- Co-ordinates audio work, scenes, music, timing, camera work and scripts.
- Gives instructions to directors.

(e) Editor
- Edits scripts or motion picture films by cutting unwanted parts and synchronises pictures and sound negatives.
- Inserts additional materials where necessary.
- Joins ends of selected length of films in proper sequence.
- Arranges films in convenient number of reels and inserts appropriate titles and banners for distinction.
- Views assembled films on screen for any corrections.

(f) Composer
- Conceives and writes musical compositions.
- Translates own creation of melody and harmony into musical notations.
- Writes original music in various styles and forms for solo or group performances.
- May write words to accompany music.
- May specialise in creating a particular type of music.

(g) Instrumentalist
- Plays one or more musical instruments as a soloist, accompanist or member of an orchestra, band or musical group.
- Studies scores and rehearses compositions.
- Tunes instruments.
- Plays music either by reading from scores or from memory.

(h) Orchestrator/Music Arranger
- Arranges musical compositions for instruments or voices or for performances in a medium different from the original.
- Scores music for instruments or voices to produce the desired effects.
- Arranges music writers for one instrument, combination of instruments or for voice into a form suitable for performances by other instruments or voices.
- Copies parts for individual instruments from musical scores and determines instruments to be employed.

(i) Conductor
- Conducts instrumental groups such as orchestras and bands.
- Auditions and recruits members for instrumental groups.
- Positions musicians in groups in order to obtain the instrumental balance and harmony.
- Selects musical compositions for presentations and arranges programmes.
- Conducts public performances, controlling such factors as balance, rhythm, tempo and entries of particular instruments to create the desired effect.
- Conducts vocal groups such as choirs and choruses (vocal group conductor).

(j) Music Director (Stage and Film Production)
- Selects music, singers and instrumental musicians in consultation with theatrical directors and composers.
- Sets music to required tunes to portray particular situation or event.
- Supervises recording of playback music and its synchronisation with story of films.

(k) Dancer
- Trains regularly, attends rehearsals, takes guidance from a choreographer.
- Analyses and interprets roles to adapt to musical shows.
- May perform folk, ethnic, jazz, tap or modern dances.
- Sings and acts as required by commercials, movies, music videos, musical or television.
- Performs solo or in a group.

(l) Choreographers
- Creates original dance moves.
- May give new interpretations to traditional dances.
- Auditions performers.
- Guides performers during rehearsals.

(m) Singers
- Sings character parts or performs in his/her own individual style.
- Specialisation depends on voice range such as baritone, bass, contralto, soprano or tenor.
- May specialise in performing a particular type of music e.g. country and western, rock and roll, folk etc