Dedication, discipline, creativity, self-confidence and a real belief in your talent are attributes necessary for performance based careers. The allure and dazzling attraction that a successful career as a performing artist presents is a dream career for many young people. It is only fair that we issue this health warning at the outset. For every famous and successful singer, dancer actor or musician we see there are many more singers, dancers, actors and musicians behind the scenes struggling to find work and make a decent living; waiting for that 'big break' that may never come.

If you have a talent that you want to pursue, the satisfaction of displaying it may far outweigh the security of a 'regular job.' Ireland has an excellent success rate in producing world-class performers. This success encourages and promotes high expectations for many in the profession.

The sector can be divided into onstage and offstage careers.

Onstage careers
Onstage careers are the one’s that grab the media attention - the international rock stars, the Hollywood actors and the American or Australian sitcom successes. Becoming one of these singers, actors or musicians takes a lot of hard graft along with outstanding talent and a certain amount of luck. For every successful band such as ‘Snowpatrol’ there are a hundred other bands that may look and sound as good as them but never make the big-time.

Offstage careers
Behind every film, song or theatre production is a multitude of support personnel and services. This team of professionals is driven by the same love of the industry.  Offstage careers are far more numerous; directors, producers, sound technicians, lighting technicians, video technicians, set designers, builders and agents are all critical to this sector. These personnel mirror the fortunes of the singers, actors and musicians they support - with a frenzy of work prior to and during a show or production, followed by periods of inactivity and possibly no work and no pay.

Getting into the sector
The entertainment sector is a growth industry in Ireland and the number of courses supporting and training those committed to this work is expanding. Artists require a lot more than talent to 'make it'. Taking part-time work to make ends meet is commonplace but even the most modestly successful performer will say that the sheer thrill and adrenalin rush from performing beats any nine to five job.

Music
Those who choose to study Music find employment in the following professionally related areas: teaching (at all levels), orchestral musician, music journalism, choral director, church organist/director of music, radio production and presentation, music industry, multimedia, music publicity and recording, arts administration, music librarian and information services.

Drama
In the last fifteen years or so Ireland has achieved major honours in the field of drama. There are more professional theatre companies and dramatists in this country than ever before. Drama and theatre are becoming important elements in our educational system while broadcasting, film and television are offering new opportunities to Irish graduates.

Performing Arts
Perhaps because of the instant and easy availability of video and audio files from the internet the performing arts in Ireland and around the world have once again been revitalized. The demand for live performance as opposed to recorded material is offering opportunities for talented performers in the art of dance, music and theatre.

The international success of River Dance is a good example of the massive opportunities on a world stage for Irish performers. As well as singers, dancers and musicians this area of employment growth has created a diverse range of specialist and managerial roles such as theatre manager, assistant stage manager, casting, production, box office, PR and marketing.

Typically people in this sector would have a degree in the humanities, such as English, Music and or training in drama, dance, theatre studies or arts management. Entry into the performing arts is highly competitive. Work, although extremely rewarding, is often sporadic and part-time.