Entertainer and Variety Artist

Leisure and Entertainment

Menu

Busker
Circus Performer
Clown
Comedian
Magician/Illusionist
Puppeteer /Ventriloquist

Related Jobs or Working with these Jobs

 

Artistic or CreativeSkill Level 1Skill Level 2Skill Level 3
Skill Level 4Skill Level 5

 

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, Future Growth Strong 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.

ANZSCO ID: 211113

Alternative names: Variety Artist

Specialisations: Busker, Circus artist, Clown, Comedian, Magician/Illusionist, Puppeteer, Ventriloquist

  • 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.


Magician's Hat & Gloves

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

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.



(Source: Wikipedia)


YouTube: The Wiggles - Classic Wiggles: Big Red Car!
https://youtu.be/oTPgD7dx_38




Entertainer

Artist

Aerobics Instructor

Dancer

Fitness Instructor

Sports Coach

Karate Instructor

Fisher

Sportsperson

Musician

Umpire/Referee

Composer

Jockey

Actor

Choreographer

Music Director

Stunt Performer

theatrical costume maker and designer

Diver

Set Designer

Sports Development Officer

Horse Riding Instructor

Stage Manager

Cinema or Theatre Manager

Prop & Scenery Maker

Outdoor Adventure Guide

Tennis Coach

pyrotechnician

Snowsport Instructor

Raceday Officer

Voice over artist

Artist

Aerobics Instructor

Dancer

Fitness Instructor

Sports Coach

Karate Instructor

Fisher

Sportsperson

Musician

Umpire/Referee

Composer

Jockey

Actor

Choreographer

Music Director

Stunt Performer

Entertainer

theatrical costume maker and designer

Diver

Set Designer

Sports Development Officer

Horse Riding Instructor

Stage Manager

Cinema or Theatre Manager

Prop & Scenery Maker

Outdoor Adventure Guide

Tennis Coach

pyrotechnician

Snowsport Instructor

Raceday Officer

Voice over artist

Artist

Aerobics Instructor

Dancer

Fitness Instructor

Sports Coach

Karate Instructor

Fisher

Sportsperson

Musician

Umpire/Referee

Composer

Jockey

Actor

Choreographer

Music Director

Stunt Performer

Entertainer

theatrical costume maker and designer

Diver

Set Designer

Sports Development Officer

Horse Riding Instructor

Stage Manager

Cinema or Theatre Manager

Prop & Scenery Maker

Outdoor Adventure Guide

Tennis Coach

pyrotechnician

Snowsport Instructor

Raceday Officer

Voice over artist

Artist

Aerobics Instructor

Dancer

Fitness Instructor

Sports Coach

Karate Instructor

Fisher

Sportsperson

Musician

Umpire/Referee

Composer

Jockey

Actor

Choreographer

Music Director

Stunt Performer

Entertainer

theatrical costume maker and designer

Diver

Set Designer

Sports Development Officer

Horse Riding Instructor

Stage Manager

Cinema or Theatre Manager

Prop & Scenery Maker

Outdoor Adventure Guide

Tennis Coach

pyrotechnician

Snowsport Instructor

Raceday Officer

Voice over artist

Artist

Aerobics Instructor

Dancer

Fitness Instructor

Sports Coach

Karate Instructor

Fisher

Sportsperson

Musician

Umpire/Referee

Composer

Jockey

Actor

Choreographer

Music Director

Stunt Performer

Entertainer

theatrical costume maker and designer

Diver

Set Designer

Sports Development Officer

Horse Riding Instructor

Stage Manager

Cinema or Theatre Manager

Prop & Scenery Maker

Outdoor Adventure Guide

Tennis Coach

pyrotechnician

Snowsport Instructor

Raceday Officer

Voice over artist

Artist

Aerobics Instructor

Dancer

Fitness Instructor

Sports Coach

Karate Instructor

Fisher

Sportsperson

Musician

Umpire/Referee

Composer

Jockey

Actor

Choreographer

Music Director

Stunt Performer

Entertainer

theatrical costume maker and designer

Diver

Set Designer

Sports Development Officer

Horse Riding Instructor

Stage Manager

Cinema or Theatre Manager

Prop & Scenery Maker

Outdoor Adventure Guide

Tennis Coach

pyrotechnician

Snowsport Instructor

Raceday Officer

Voice over artist

Artist

Aerobics Instructor

Dancer

Fitness Instructor

Sports Coach