What careers can you do with an Acting or Theatre degree?

An Acting degree is about far more than learning lines and performing on stage.

It develops a wide range of skills that are highly valued across the entertainment industry and beyond, such as:

• Confidence
• Communication
• Emotional intelligence
• Collaboration
• Adaptability
• Creative discipline

Whether you dream of performing on screen, working in theatre, creating digital content or building a career behind the scenes, a degree in Acting can lead to a wide range of professional opportunities.

In this guide, we explore the many career paths available to acting graduates and how you can turn your passion for performance into a sustainable career.

Jobs for Acting graduates

Theatre and live performance careers

• Theatre Actor: perform in plays, musicals and touring productions. Work varies and you may find yourself working in a mix of regional theatres, touring companies, West End and fringe productions, as well as within organisations such as the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company.
• Musical Theatre Performer: combine acting with singing and dancing. These roles appear in stage musicals, pantomime, cruise ships, and touring productions. Strong vocal technique, movement skills, and versatility are essential.
• Physical Theatre and Movement Performer: specialise in physical theatre, devised performance and experimental work, using movement, gesture and ensemble collaboration as central tools.

Screen acting careers

• Film and television actor: perform in feature films, TV dramas, sitcoms and other productions.
• Commercial and corporate performer: appear in TV and online adverts, corporate videos and training films.
• Voice actor and voice-over artist: work across animation, audiobooks, video games, adverts and dubbing.
• Web series actor: perform in productions created for companies that publish to digital platforms such as YouTube.

Education and community arts careers

Many Acting graduates enjoy working in education, outreach and participatory arts.

• Drama teacher: share your knowledge in schools, colleges, universities of private drama classes.
• Workshop Facilitator: deliver acting and confidence-building sessions in settings such as schools, community centres, prisons and youth organisations.
• Community Theatre Practitioner: use drama to support wellbeing, inclusion, and social development.

Presenting, hosting and communication careers

The performance and communication skills developed through acting are valuable in many public-facing roles.

• TV and radio presenter: put your skills to use by hosting programmes, interviews and live broadcasts.
• Event Host and Compère: hosts events such as award ceremonies, corporate events, festivals and product launches.
• Pubic Speaker / Communication Coach: use the experience gained during an Acting degree train professionals in presentation skills, confidence, and public speaking.

Creative production careers

Not all acting graduates remain in front of the camera. Many move into creative and organisational roles within the performing arts.

• Casting Director: identify and audition performers for productions.
• Assistant Director and Production Assistant: support film and television productions with scheduling, coordination, and on-set management.
• Director and Producer: shape creative projects and manage productions.
• Dramaturg and Script Reader: analyse scripts, support writers and advise creative teams.

Arts management careers

Actors with strong organisational skills may work in arts administration and management.

• Arts Administrator: manage funding applications, marketing, events and audience development.
• Talent Agent or Agency Assistant: support performers’ careers by managing contracts, auditions and negotiations.
• Marketing and Communications Officer:  promote productions, venue, and performers across digital and traditional platforms.

More advice for Acting applicants 

• How to prepare for your university acting audition
• How to write a great UCAS personal statement for an Acting or Theatre degree

Related courses

Undergraduate

• Acting BA (Hons)
• Design for Theatre & Screen BA (Hons)

Postgraduate

• Acting MA