Entertainers captivate, amuse or thrill an audience with dramatic, musical
and other performances. They may perform a variety of tasks depending on
their area of expertise.
Entertainers perform live for audiences in a range of artistic and creative
works, including theatre,
dance, comedy, circus and music. They write and rehearse routines, develop
characters, performance styles or other talents, create costumes and props
to accompany their act, and perform the act live. Some entertainers may
perform illusions or tricks, operate puppets, or tell jokes and perform
humorous skits. They may perform their act either for large paying audiences
in entertainment venues, or for small private audiences such as children's
parties or other such celebrations.
Children's Entertainer:
A children's entertainer entertains children by performing tricks and
routines, including dancing, acting, music, stunts, magical illusions,
storytelling and juggling. Children's entertainers may perform as a
character, such as a clown or fairy, using a variety of styles, or they may
specialise in one particular type of performance.
Knowledge, skills and attributes
flair for entertainment
good communication skills
able to concentrate for long periods
self-confidence, motivation, dedication and
determination
stamina to perform at peak level.
Duties and Tasks
Entertainers may perform some or all of the following tasks:
create acts and performance routines
develop a special character such as a clown or fairy
practise the act
dress in costumes to suit the act
perform acts to entertain audiences
perform illusions and tricks
operate a puppet or puppets
tell jokes and perform comical acts
undertake dangerous acts.
Working conditions
Entertainers must be prepared to work irregular hours and spend long periods
practising and rehearsing. Some entertainers work in areas unrelated to
entertaining to support themselves financially.
Entertainers work in a variety of contexts. Some may work
full-time in their chosen field for a particular performing arts
organisation. Others may undertake short-term or contract work, performing a
particular piece for a short season and then moving on to another job
(sometimes in a completely different industry). Many entertainers work
sporadically or part-time, and need to supplement their income with other
types ofwork. Some entertainers chose to tour their act, taking it
throughout the State, around the country or across the globe performing for
new audiences in different locations. They often need to work to strict
deadlines, and conditions may be stressful. Many entertainers do not receive
a regular salary, but receive a portion of the profits made by entertainment
venues, which may vary depending on the size of audiences.
Tools and technologies
Entertainers use costumes, make-up and other props. They may also work on or
with sets, as well as with sound and lighting equipment. Some entertainers
may use circus equipment such as unicycles, trapeze, stilts or juggling
balls. Some also use musical instruments. Most entertainers will need to
know how to use office equipment such as computers, phones and photocopiers
to undertake administrative tasks, in preparation for a performance.
Education and training/entrance requirements
It is possible to work as an entertainer or variety
artist without any formal qualifications. However, entry into this
occupation may be improved if you have natural talent or ability or by
obtaining formal training or a qualification in performing arts, theatre,
acting, circus performance, dance, music, singing or a related area.
Did You Know?
The Wiggles - Children's Entertainers -
CAMEO
The Wiggles
are an Australian children's music group formed in Sydney, New South
Wales in 1991. The current members of the group are Anthony Field,
Emma Watkins, Simon Pryce and Lachlan Gillespie.
The original members were Anthony Field, Phillip Wilcher, Murray
Cook, Greg Page, and Jeff Fatt.
Field and Fatt were members of the Australian pop band The
Cockroaches in the 1980s, and Cook was a member of several bands
before meeting Field and Page at Macquarie University, where they
were studying to become pre-school teachers. A school project led to
the recording of their first album and tour in 1991...
Motivated to utilise early educational concepts to create
high-quality children's music, the classmates created a music
project for their courses and produced their first album in 1991,
dedicated to Field's deceased niece. Like a university assignment,
they produced a folder of essays that explained the educational
value of each song on the album. As a result of their background,
the group combines music and theories of child development in their
videos, television programs, and live shows.
The group has achieved worldwide success with their children's
albums, videos, television series, and concert appearances. The
Wiggles were named Business Review Weekly's top-earning Australian
entertainers for four years in a row and earned A$45 million in
2009.
In 2011, the worldwide recession hit The Wiggles, as it had done for
many Australian entertainers; they earned $28 million, but they
still appeared second on the BRW's list that year.
They have earned 18 gold, 13 platinum, three double-platinum,
13 ARIA Awards for Best Children's Album,
and ten multi-platinum awards for sales of over
23 million DVDs and seven
million CDs and inducted into the ARIA Hall of
Fame.
By 2002, The Wiggles had become the Australian Broadcasting
Corporation's (ABC) most successful pre-school television program.
Since 2013, the group members have been Anthony Field, Lachlan
Gillespie, Simon Pryce, and Emma Watkins. Watkins
will leave the group at the end of 2021, with Tsehay Hawkins taking
her place in 2022.