Variety artist
Also known as: musical hall artist, ventriloquist, hypnotist, magical performer, lookalike artist, burlesque artist
About this occupation
Variety artists are multi-disciplinary artists who master in at least two of the following disciplines: comedy, dance, singing, circus arts, object manipulation and illusionism. They perform solo or collectively, may appear in music variety shows, cabaret, musicals and other entertainment events. Their artistic performance is characterised by the blending of arts, styles and disciplines.
A specialisation of performance artist.
Essential skills and knowledge
- accept feedback on artistic performance
- interact with an audience
- study roles from scripts
- cope with stage fright
- memorise lines
- select music for performance
- perform live
- create an act
- work independently as an artist
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Actors (O*NET 27-2011.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Attend auditions and casting calls to audition for roles.
- Work closely with directors, other actors, and playwrights to find the interpretation most suited to the role.
- Portray and interpret roles, using speech, gestures, and body movements, to entertain, inform, or instruct radio, film, television, or live audiences.
- Study and rehearse roles from scripts to interpret, learn and memorize lines, stunts, and cues as directed.
- Collaborate with other actors as part of an ensemble.
- Learn about characters in scripts and their relationships to each other to develop role interpretations.
- Preparation
- Job Zone 2 of 5
- Interests
- Artistic, Social, Enterprising
Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Active Listening, Social Perceptiveness, Critical Thinking, Coordination
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.4)
- Fine Art or Music or Drama and TheatreO*NET: Fine ArtsVery important (4.0)
- Media StudiesO*NET: Communications and MediaVery important (3.7)
- PsychologyO*NET: PsychologyImportant (3.0)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Musicians and Singers
- Talent Directors
- Choreographers
- Music Directors and Composers
- Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers
- Producers and Directors
- Dancers
- Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary
- Writers and Authors
- Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.