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Public Administration & LegalISCO 2659

Variety artist

A variety artist is a person who performs in public across at least two disciplines: comedy, drama, singing, circus arts, object manipulation or illusion.

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Rate 5 of the 13 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

select music for performance

manage feedback

study roles from scripts

attend rehearsals

create an artistic performance

About variety artist

Variety work rests on mixing arts, styles and disciplines. The variety artist creates a performance from the idea to the finished act: setting its course, choosing music for it, preparing for a role from a script, and building the points at which an audience is meant to react. They perform solo or in a company, in musical shows, in cabaret, in musicals and at entertainment events.

The artist interacts with the other performers on stage and works with the artistic team: the director, the sound and lighting crews, the venue staff. Current trends are followed, and an act is matched to the audience.

The artist analyses their own performances, including from recordings, and manages the feedback that comes from audiences, promoters and reviewers. The act is developed on the basis of that feedback, and changes to the show are agreed with the artistic team.

Key Work Functions

Core areas of responsibility for a variety artist.

1

Artistic Performance Creation

  • Select and arrange music, choreography, and comedic material suitable for target audiences
  • Design original acts that blend multiple artistic disciplines in cohesive performances
  • Study and interpret scripts or artistic concepts from directors and producers
  • Continuously innovate and refresh performance material to maintain audience interest
2

Live Performance Execution

  • Perform engaging acts in front of live audiences across various venues and event types
  • Interact with audience members during performance to create memorable experiences
  • Manage stage fright and maintain professional composure under pressure
  • Adapt performances in real time based on audience response and venue conditions
3

Collaborative Artistic Development

  • Attend regular rehearsals with fellow performers, directors, and technical staff
  • Receive and integrate feedback from directors and colleagues to improve performances
  • Coordinate timing and transitions with other performers during group acts
  • Contribute ideas and suggestions to enhance overall show quality and creativity
4

Professional Development and Industry Engagement

  • Keep up with trends in entertainment, popular culture, and emerging performance styles
  • Analyse your own performances to identify strengths and areas for improvement
  • Work independently to develop new acts, practise skills, and maintain artistic quality
  • Network with other performers, promoters, and venue operators to secure bookings and opportunities

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (13)

select music for performanceselect music for performanceSelect pieces of music for a live performance. Consider factors such as ensemble abilities, availability of scores and the need for musical variety.manage feedbackmanage feedbackProvide feedback to others. Evaluate and respond constructively and professionally to critical communication from colleagues and customers.study roles from scriptsstudy roles from scriptsStudy and rehearse roles from scripts. Interpret, learn and memorise lines, stunts, and cues as directed.attend rehearsalsattend rehearsalsAttend rehearsals in order to adapt sets, costumes, make-up, lighting, camera set up, etc.create an artistic performancecreate an artistic performanceCreate an artistic performance by combining elements such as singing, dancing, acting, or all of them together.interact with fellow actorsinteract with fellow actorsPerform together with other actors. Anticipate their moves. React to their actions.analyse own performanceanalyse own performanceUnderstand, analyse and describe your own performance. Contextualize your work in one or various styles, trends, evolution, etc. Self-evaluate your work in rehearsals and performances.work independently as an artistwork independently as an artistDevelop one's own ways of doing artistic performances, motivating oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.work with an artistic teamwork with an artistic teamWork closely with directors, fellow actors and playwrights to find the ideal interpretation to a role.keep up with trendskeep up with trendsMonitor and follow new trends and developments in specific sectors.cope with stage frightcope with stage frightDeal with conditions that cause stage fright, such as time limits, the audience and stress.perform liveperform livePerform in front of live audiences.interact with an audienceinteract with an audienceRespond to the reactions of an audience and involve them in the particular performance or communication.
Optional (21) — show
match venues with performersmatch venues with performersEnsure the venue is appropriate for the needs of the performing artist.follow time cuesfollow time cuesObserve the conductor, orchestra or director and follow text and vocal score to time cues accurately.perform stuntsperform stuntsExecute various physical movements concerning the technical realisation of difficult acting performances.perform dancesperform dancesPerform in artistic productions of differents disciplines such as classical ballet, modern dance, contemporary dance, early dance, ethnic dance, folk dance, acrobatic dances and street dance.develop educational resourcesdevelop educational resourcesCreate and develop educational resources for visitors, school groups, families and special interest groups.identify artistic nicheidentify artistic nicheFind your artistic niche in the market, attending to your strengths in each moment of your professional career.perform for young audiencesperform for young audiencesPerform on a level accessible to children and young adults, whilst also censoring unadvisable content.play musical instrumentsplay musical instrumentsManipulate purpose-built or improvised instruments to produce musical sounds.meet deadlinesmeet deadlinesEnsure operative processes are finished at a previously agreed-upon time.engage the audience emotionallyengage the audience emotionallyCreate an emotional connection with the audience through your performance. Engage the audience with sadness, humour, anger, any other emotion, or a combination thereof, and let them share your experie...manage performance light qualitymanage performance light qualityPerform light checks and adjust for optimal light quality before and during performance.train livestock and captive animalstrain livestock and captive animalsTrain animals to facilitate their routine husbandry, for treatment, and/or public demonstrations.follow directions of the artistic directorfollow directions of the artistic directorFollow the instructions of the director while understanding his creative vision.work with respect for own safetywork with respect for own safetyApply the safety rules according to training and instruction and based on a solid understanding of the prevention measures and risks to your own personal health and safety.act for an audienceact for an audienceAct in front of an audience, according to an artistic concept.use declaiming techniquesuse declaiming techniquesSpeak for an audience with the expression of rhythm and vocal technique. Take care that articulation and voice projection are appropriate to the character or text. Make sure that you are heard without...perform music soloperform music soloPerform music individually.singsingUse the voice to produce musical sounds, marked by tone and rhythm.develop magic show conceptsdevelop magic show conceptsDevelop the different components (e.g. musical, visual, lighting, magic content etc.) of a magic show.musical genresmusical genresDifferent musical styles and genres such as blues, jazz, reggae, rock, or indie.manipulate object to create illusionsmanipulate object to create illusionsManipulate objects and images to create optical illusions.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

stand-up comedian11 shared essential skillsmusician10 shared essential skillssinger10 shared essential skillsstreet performer10 shared essential skillspuppeteer9 shared essential skillsactor/actress8 shared essential skillscircus artist8 shared essential skillsdancer8 shared essential skills

Frequently asked questions

What does a variety artist do?

Variety artists are multi-disciplinary artists who master in at least two of the following disciplines: comedy, dance, singing, circus arts, object manipulation and illusionism. They perform solo or collectively, may appear in music variety shows, cabaret, musicals and other entertainment events. Their artistic performance is characterised by the blending of arts, styles and disciplines.

What skills does a variety artist need?

A variety artist needs 13 essential skills, including select music for performance, manage feedback, study roles from scripts, attend rehearsals, create an artistic performance.

Will AI replace variety artist jobs?

The AI disruption score for variety artist is 10/100 (very low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: keep up with trends, manage feedback, analyse own performance. Most resilient: perform stunts, act for an audience, use declaiming techniques.

AI Replacement Risk

10/ 100
Very Low Risk
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Quick Facts

SectorPublic Administration & Legal
ISCO GroupLegal, social and cultural professionals
Essential Skills13

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