Are you ready to take the bow? : The Tribune India

Join Whatsapp Channel

Are you ready to take the bow?

Entertainment has become an essential part of our lives. It is de rigueur at any and every celebration. A live band, a comedian, dancers or an original performing artist can liven up a corporate event, a launch, fashion show or private party making any occasion a memorable event.

Are you  ready  to take the bow?

Istock



Usha Albuquerque

Entertainment has become an essential part of our lives. It is de rigueur at any and every celebration. A live band, a comedian, dancers or an original performing artist can liven up a corporate event, a launch, fashion show or private party making any occasion a memorable event. What’s more, you no longer have to go to a theatre, concert, amusement or theme park, or even your own TV at home for entertainment — it can be there in the palm of your hand. 

Consumer demand for entertainment has brought tremendous growth in this area. The entertainment industry, supported by wider audiences, both live and through television and radio, advertising and marketing now promote music, dance and drama which together form what is known as the performing arts.

So, if you dream of using your talent, whether it is dramatic ability, musical gift or skill as a dancer, singer, performer, stand-up comedian, or any other kind of performing artist it is possible to try to pursue your passion, that is, if you have the qualities needed  — talent and passion, and the ability to take rejection and disappointment. 

This is one of the most competitive fields of enterprise, and as with any occupation, it is important to get the facts about it before you decide. So once you have information, you can make an informed decision about whether to strive for a career as a performer. 

Performing arts is a form of creative activity that is performed in front of an audience — whether physical or virtual, and which includes drama, music, and dance and includes a wide range of activities, including acting, dance, voice, physical theatre, music theatre, sound design and digital video. Let’s take a look at the major performing arts streams:  

Music
 
There are many forms of music including classical, folk, jazz, popular - which can range from hard rock to fusion, vocal and instrumental music, and those interested in making a career in music normally specialize in a particular form of music, or performance. You can perform solo or in a group, for small or large audience, and in a variety of venues. Performers also sing/play in recording studios, or work for the film industry, as playback singers and musicians. You need to have a high standard of musical talent and technical skill, which audiences will pay to hear. Besides talent this requires years of dedicated training and discipline. Those with presentation skills and popular appeal perform at live shows in concert halls, clubs, restaurants, theatres, outdoor stadiums, lounge settings, pubs, night clubs, etc. 

Related options for Musicians
 
Making a name and an earning career as a musical performing artist is a highly complex path. Those with a passion for their art, but who despite all the effort are unable to make it to a performing career, can also consider working in the field of music as a composer or song writer, music arranger, music journalist, or music teacher, Radio or Disc Jockey, music therapist, sound recorder, artist manager, or with music recording companies churning out jingles and background scores, in the music business and in the music industry. 
 
Acting
 
Acting is another career where there is no clear career path, and training does not necessarily guarantee you an opening in the films. Unlike the corporate world, actors don't also have well defined jobs. Actors perform on stage in plays or dramas, motion picture, television shows and soap operas, folk theatres, etc. Acting is a multi-faceted art form where the actor works along with a director, possibly other actors, and a team of artists and technicians that collaborate in presenting the film, a theatre show or television drama. Actors need to posses histrionic talents, a good voice, and intonation, expressive use of body and movement and the ability to bring these together so as to create something believable, humane, exciting, amusing, or even horrific. So while you require to have talent to get into this profession, you also need to develop the right kind of skills, which can only be learnt through systematic training. 
In the initial phase of an acting career, you may have to take up any job that is offered; many youngsters just hang around directors and studios in the hope they will catch someone's eye. You may also not have many choices of acting jobs, and have to take on whatever role you are offered. Once you have done a few small roles and proved your worth, you are in a better position to choose the kind of roles you feel are better suited to your abilities. But, as it is said, an actor is only as good as his last film. Only the very talented ones prosper and earn money and fame. So you need to be prepared to struggle and constantly work on refining your skills.  In addition, proper networking, being at the right place, knowing the right people and good public relation skill helps beginners. You also need to be prepared for rejection - as an actor. That doesn't mean you cannot use your talent for other related  fields of work.
 
Related options for actors 
 
Making it big in today's world of entertainment is the stand-up comedian and You Tuber.  The audience for comedy has increased and Stand Up comedy is growing exponentially specially in the larger cities.  Such a career also opens doors for other opportunities such as writing for advertisements or in social media marketing. Many youngsters today are also trying their hand at You tubing - upload videos on different topics of wide interest and building a channel and even a personal brand. Such a move can certainly get you noticed - for other bigger and better performing roles! 
Actors can also consider organising acting or dance workshops and creative laboratories to expand your art form towards self-created art projects. Many actors start their own companies with a particular art form that they want to explore as the focus. You can also take up short-term or freelance contracts, moving between different fields, generating opportunities through networking, collaborating with other artists and putting on your own shows. Theatre and stage shows are gaining audiences and financial support and could generate acting opportunities. Managing theatre programmes, or other performance related events for corporate and tourists, or setting up an acting academy are other career avenues.
 
Training
 
All performing arts require in-born talent which can be trained and developed. The right guidance and training from professionals can nurture and develop the skill. Most performance training programmes combine creative talent with practical aspects of self-promotion and arts management. This mix of disciplines is good preparation for entering the world of performance. The second critical factor is that of luck and opportunity. This is not a linear career path and so you require the grit and stamina to enter this competitive industry while also preparing yourself for the struggle. 
A lot of aspiring artists choose yet another option  - that is, learn on the job. In this case, proper networking, being at the right place, knowing the right people and good public relation skill helps beginners. Today, there are an increasing number of job openings for performing artists. Talent and visibility in the world of performing arts is often the deciding factor in terms of an artist's future. Struggling to make a name in the industry is part and parcel of the field
Some artists have been able to command attention and move on to the puxrsuit of their art as a full-time career. But the numbers are few. Competition in this field is intense and it is difficult for an unknown artist to establish him/herself quickly.
 
It is, therefore, advisable for those targeting the performing arts to develop their skill while working towards a regular full-time job in a related occupation, so you have a cushion to fall back on should the going get rough. But try you must!
 
Performing arts is about how you present yourself. It's important to network at every opportunity and keep your finger on the pulse of the industry. 
 
Dance
 
Dance is a form of cultural expression, and in India, has an age-old tradition. With dance schools mushrooming in practically every small urban centre, and a preferred activity for young boys and girls, this field has been established  as a viable career option for those with the talent and perseverance.
Some performers perform at shows, occasionally choreograph a dance piece, teach and work on projects in schools and colleges. Performing artists can form their own troupes or even work with other troupes. 
 
Related options for dancers
 
Choreography is the most natural progression for a dancer. Most dancers are also choreographers who create dances. However you do not have to be a dancer to choreograph professionally, but it is often the main route into getting your first choreography job. Most choreographers work with troupes performing stage shows, on television, video and in films.  Choreography gives you the opportunity to be creative to design and compose dance sequences and co-ordinate the stage settings, music, costumes and supervises rehearsals. 
Dancers can take up teaching as a profession with opportunities in schools, colleges, universities, dance institutes, and even open schools of their own. 
 Other careers in dance can be that of a dance journalist working on a freelance basis writing for national newspapers as a dance critic, or in designing the costumes, or creating the sound and lighting for dance performances. 

Top News

Arvind Kejriwal to be produced before Delhi court today as 6-day ED custody ends

Excise policy case: Delhi court extends ED custody of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal till April 1

In his submissions, Kejriwal said, ‘I am named by 4 witnesse...

Delhi High Court dismisses PIL to remove Arvind Kejriwal from CM post after arrest

Delhi High Court dismisses PIL to remove Arvind Kejriwal from CM post after arrest

The bench refuses to comment on merits of the issue, saying ...

‘Unwarranted, unacceptable’: India on US remarks on Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest

‘Unwarranted, unacceptable’: India on US remarks on Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest

MEA spokesperson says India is proud of its independent and ...

Bullying Congress culture, no wonder being rejected: PM Modi, backs senior lawyers who flagged attempts to undermine public trust in judiciary

Bullying Congress culture, no wonder being rejected: PM Modi

Backs senior lawyers who flagged attempts to undermine publi...

Gujarat court sentences former IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt to 20 years in jail in 1996 drug case

Gujarat court sentences former IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt to 20 years in jail in 1996 drug case

Bhatt, who was sacked from the force in 2015, is already beh...


Cities

View All