Innovative, out-of-the-box thinking, unconventional, creative, and visionary are some adjectives that define a career in the performing arts. Performing arts are referred to as the form of creative expression that can be showcased in front of an audience. Drama, theatre, show business, and music, are all fields of performing arts.
Even though a career in performing arts may be one of the oldest careers in history, a child pursuing the discipline is often frowned upon because it is not as “intellectual” as the ones involving studying for numerous examinations, and attending lectures.
Today, there are many options available to the youth, for pursuing a career in performing arts. The opportunities are numerous and the scope is endless.
We are here to throw light on the endless possibilities you have if you pursue a career in performing arts. Read ahead to find out!
What is Performing Arts?
The main categories of Performing arts are Music, Dance, and Drama. Performing arts is a form of creative art and learning where the artists use their vocal skills, body language, gestures, and emotions to express a story, their thoughts, and feelings creatively.
Although a career in performing arts is determined by the amount of talent and passion an individual has for the field, there are several degrees and certifications that one can enroll in to facilitate the talent.
The certifications intend to admit novice aspiring artists, to develop them into industry experts, with intensive practical training and theoretical knowledge so that they know their discipline inside out.
The formal degrees aim to help aspiring artists specialize in their chosen art forms to astonish the world with their portrayal of thoughts through their performances.
Many colleges and universities offer formal degrees and diplomas in Theatre, Music, Acting, Art, and the likes. Some of the best colleges in India for a career in performing arts are:
- Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
- NIMS Jaipur
- Amity University
- Delhi University, Delhi
- Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS), Mumbai
Careers to Pursue in Performing Arts
1. Actor
An acting career is not only glamorous but also exciting for people who like social interactions and expressing emotions openly in front of an audience. A career in show business is alluring to many but requires a lot of energy and perseverance when it comes to understanding the characters, they are asked to portray.
The job profile of an actor, be it cinema or theatre is to interpret and bring to life, the words of a writer in the most creative and alluring way to the audience, under the guidance of a director.
Although a career in theatre offers little job security, it does provide all professionals with an opportunity to live a colorful and satisfactory life through the characters they play, and the fame and popularity they receive.
Approximate Salary: INR 5,00,000 per annum or INR 250 per hour.
Recommended Read: Stage Set, Lights On: All About A Career In Theatre
2. Professional Dancer
A popular career in performing arts is that of a dancer. Dance is the art of storytelling using body movements and music together. Along with a passion for the art, aspiring professionals are needed to have a knack for networking and picking up the right projects at the start of their careers. A dancing career is somewhat similar to an acting career when it comes to getting recognized.
That said, talented dancers with a passion for performing art, have a variety of avenues that can be explored throughout their careers. From choreography, to stage dance for musicals, background dancing for films, and teaching, dance is a career trajectory with numerous opportunities.
Approximate Salary: INR 3.0 Lakhs- 25.0 Lakhs per annum
3. Musician
Admit it, at one time or another, we all dreamt of being Justin Beiber, Devi Lovato, or a member of Backstreet Boys, The Beatles, and One Direction. A career in music is very popular among teens, who love to play any instrument and have a drive for composing music scores, lyrics, and singing.
Even though it is believed that if you have a passion for music, you might as well become a musician, it is one of the many career options for music lovers in times of today.
Approximate Salary: INR 14,000 – INR 1,57,000 per month
Recommended Read: Careers Options for Music Lovers
4. Playback Singer
A career as a playback singer requires lots of perseverance and patience. To pursue the field, the aspiring musician must be open to criticism, have self-confidence, and keep working towards music, through all struggles that may come in the way.
However, after being discovered, and gaining success in the field, a playback singing career is one of the best, and highest-paid professions to choose from, in the list of careers in performing arts.
Approximate Salary: INR 12-13 Lakhs per song or INR 8,82,975 per annum.
5. Ventriloquist
Ventriloquism is a performing art that involves artists modulating their voices to create an illusion of an actual voice coming from a prop, usually puppets or dolls. This performing art has been practiced for over generations, dating back to ancient Egypt. It was initially used in theatrical shows, fairs, and circuses. The art is to date very popular in magic shows, comedy shows, motion film dubbing, and voice-over for animated films. Aspects of ventriloquism also come in opera and ballet.
Approximate Salary: INR 6,50,000 per annum or INR 310 per hour.
6. Comedian
Thanks to various OTT (Over the Top) platforms, and online streaming, comedy has returned to its lost fame. In the last few years, a career in comedy has been well received in society.
A comedian often conducts a single-person show, also call Stand-up, pointing out the irony in the daily surroundings, in a creative style, using various voice modulation techniques, body language, and sometimes props. It is an all-encompassing career, which involves acting and playwrighting, and can also include dancing, singing, music composing, and ventriloquism.
A comedy career is perfectly suited for a person who loves putting up small skits, excels at improvising, and storytelling.
Approximate Salary: INR 6-7 lakh per annum or INR 304 per hour.
Conclusion
An unconventional profession or a career in performing arts can be one of the most satisfying, enjoyable, and exciting careers of all time if an individual has the talent and the passion to pursue it well.
Gone are the days when conventional careers like Law, Engineering, and Medicine were the only career options available. Today we have super cool and fun careers involving stage performances, creativity, and innovation to choose from.
Do you have a passion you want to convert into a serious career? Mindler has got your back!
Mindler, India’s best career counseling firm helps parents and students from class VIII to college in carefully analyzing talent, potential, and skill through professional assessments, analysis, and in-depth research.
Mindler is solely dedicated to helping parents and children choose the best-suited professions with its reputed Career Counseling Online.
