Actor

Lamwork; United States; On-site; USD 19,286 - 133,888; Part time

Job summary

Lamwork is looking for skilled Actors to bring characters to life across theater, film, television, and live entertainment. The role requires meticulous rehearsal, script memorization, and strong interpersonal skills to convey emotional depth and authenticity.

Candidates should possess a blend of technical performance skills and certifications like Meisner Technique. The earnings for this dynamic role vary greatly, reflecting the diverse nature of the acting profession.

Responsibilities

• Perform scripted roles accurately, bringing consistency and emotional authenticity to every scene or live show.
• Rehearse dialogue and movement sequences with cast and crew to build production-ready performances before opening night or filming begins.
• Research character backgrounds, historical periods, or specialized skills required by the role to support believable portrayals.
• Coordinate with directors and production teams during notes sessions to refine timing and interactions.
• Manage physical and logistical preparation, including costume fittings and warm-up routines.

Skills

Stage Performance

Script Memorization

On-Screen Acting Technique

Crowd Management and Audience Awareness

Video Production Fundamentals

Verbal Communication

Adaptability

Creativity

Collaboration

Professionalism

Education

Meisner Technique Certificate

Stanislavski Acting Certificate

Improv Certificate (Second City, Upright Citizens Brigade)

SAG-AFTRA Membership

Job description

Actor Overview

Actor brings written characters to life, interpreting scripts so that audiences can experience stories across theater, film, television, and live entertainment settings. Day-to-day, the work involves studying a character's background and motivations, memorizing lines, rehearsing scenes with fellow cast members, and taking direction from a production's creative team. Based on Lamwork’s research across actor job data, the role encompasses a wide spectrum of performance environments, from stage productions and feature films to theme park attractions and corporate video content. It is one of the most varied positions in the creative industry.

Actor Key Responsibilities

• Perform scripted roles accurately, bringing consistency and emotional authenticity to every scene or live show.
• Rehearse dialogue and movement sequences with cast and crew to build production-ready performances before opening night or filming begins.
• Research character backgrounds, historical periods, or specialized skills required by the role to support believable and audience-appropriate portrayals.
• Coordinate with directors and production teams during notes sessions and run-throughs to refine timing, blocking, and character interactions.
• Manage physical and logistical preparation, including costume fittings, makeup calls, and warm-up routines, to ensure readiness across multiple daily performances or shooting schedules.

Actor Required Skills

According to Lamwork’s review of actor postings, employers consistently prioritize a combination of technical performance skills and interpersonal strengths.

• Hard Skills: Stage Performance, Script Memorization, On-Screen Acting Technique, Crowd Management and Audience Awareness, Video Production Fundamentals
• Soft Skills: Verbal Communication, Adaptability, Creativity, Collaboration, Professionalism

Typical Career Progression for an Actor

• Supporting Actor
• Lead Actor
• Director or Producer

Reaching lead actor status typically takes five to ten years of consistent work, auditions, and accumulated credits. Portfolio strength, genre specialization, and professional relationships within casting networks are the primary factors that accelerate advancement.

Actor Certifications

• Meisner Technique Certificate – foundational method training widely valued by casting directors
• Stanislavski Acting Certificate – classical approach to character analysis and emotional preparation
• Improv Certificate (Second City, Upright Citizens Brigade) – recognized training for comedic timing and live spontaneity
• SAG‑AFTRA Membership – industry-recognized credential signaling professional working status in film and television

Actor Salary in the United States

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not report an annual salary for actors, as the occupation is tracked by hourly wage. Based on the most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median hourly wage for actors is $23.33. The lowest 10 percent of earners make under $14.00 per hour, while the highest 10 percent exceed $97.19 per hour, reflecting the wide spread common in this field.

Actor earnings vary considerably depending on the performance medium (stage, film, television, or theme park), union membership status, the actor's accumulated credits and reputation, and whether work is project-based or ongoing.

Actor Resume Tips

Quantify your performance impact wherever possible - note the size of audiences you performed for, the number of daily shows you completed, or measurable improvements in guest satisfaction ratings tied to your work.

Highlight the specific tools and formats you have worked in, such as live stage production, on-camera filming, green-screen environments, or voice recording, since casting directors scan for format-specific experience.

Showcase the range of your experience by listing character types, genres, and production scales you have worked across, as breadth of credits demonstrates the adaptability employers prioritize.

Open with a brief, concrete example of a performance moment that connects directly to what the production or venue is looking for - a specific character type you have mastered, a format you have excelled in, or an audience outcome you have delivered.

Connect your performance skills to tangible results: explain how your vocal projection kept large audiences engaged, how your script preparation minimized production delays, or how your character consistency contributed to positive guest experiences.

Align your language with keywords from the job posting - terms such as "audience engagement", "scripted performance", "crowd management", and "production coordination" are common in actor job listings and help your letter clear ATS screening.