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How to Become a Performing Artist

A performing artist is someone who uses their talents, like acting, singing, dancing or playing music, to entertain people. They perform on stage, in shows or at events to share stories and emotions with the audience.

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Working Hours30-40 hours a week
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Work Setting On-site
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Job Demand

A Day In The Life

If you were a Performing Artist, you’d spend your day…
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Starting your morning with light stretches or vocal warm-ups, reviewing your script or music and preparing for rehearsals or shows

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Spending hours in rehearsals perfecting scenes, choreography or songs with your cast and crew, sometimes doing costume fittings or interviews too

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At night, you’d perform live on stage in front of an audience, then cool down and rest up for the next exciting day

Wanna see a performing artist in action? Check out this video!

Is This Career Right for Me?

According to the Holland Codes, people in this career generally possess the following traits:

R
Realistic
I
Investigative
A
Artistic
S
Social
E
Enterprising
C
Conventional

Challenges & Skills

No job is easy, but if you’ve got the right skills, you’ll be ready to handle anything that comes your way!

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Challenges & Skills Needed to Overcome Them

Facing stage fright or nervousness

Skills: Self-confidence

Long hours of rehearsals and performances

Skills: Physical stamina and time management

Rejection from auditions or casting calls

Skills: Resilience and a positive mindset

Keeping performances fresh every night

Skills: Creativity and a strong work ethic

Balancing multiple jobs or gigs

Skills: Organisation and self-discipline

Maintaining vocal or physical health

Skills: Healthy lifestyle and proper self-care routines

Sound like you? Then you might just have what it takes to tackle these challenges and thrive as a Performing Artist!

Career Pathway

Thinking long term? This career path shows you how you can grow your role (and salary!) in the world of performing.

Entry-Level Performing Artist (Aspiring Artist) RM 1,500 – RM 3,500Depending on the type of performances and gigs
Mid-Level Performing Artist (Professional Artist) RM 4,000 – RM 8,000Depending on role, production scale, and location
Senior Performing Artist RM 10,000 – RM 20,000For well-known artists in the local scene
Performing Artist with a Strong Brand (Celebrity Artist) RM 20,000 – RM 50,000Depending on media presence and reputation
Performing Artist Entrepreneur (Director, Producer, or Content Creator) RM 30,000 and above
Performing Artist Icon (Legendary Artist) RM 50,000 and above

With every step, you’ll gain more skills, responsibility and opportunities. If you’re passionate about performing artist, this career path could be your perfect match!

Global Opportunities

Pros in this field are in demand everywhere—your career could literally take you places!

Top countries hiring professionals in this field:
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United States

Big cities like Los Angeles, New York and Nashville are famous for movies, music and theatre. There are many jobs for actors, dancers and musicians.

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United Kingdom

The UK also has great opportunities in music, dance and film. London is known for its famous theatres, like the West End. 

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France

Paris is a top city for theatre, ballet and opera. France supports artists with grants and plenty of performance spaces.

We hope this guide has helped you understand what to expect and inspired you to explore a path that fits your strengths and passions. Good luck—and have fun discovering your future!

APPLY NOW FOR Sep 2025

Applications now open for Higher Education courses

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