How to Be Street Performer - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Mar 10, 2021 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

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The rise of street performers has had a positive effect on cities around the world. It contributes to the local economy, as street performers often require tips from their audience in order to make a living. It also encourages tourism, which in turn boosts the local economy.

Furthermore, it serves to increase the diversity of the city's culture, by bringing in different styles of music, dance, and performance art, which can be enjoyed by citizens and visitors alike. Lastly, it can create a sense of community by providing a platform for local artists to showcase their talents, and for people to come together and enjoy the performances. All of these factors have resulted in street performers becoming an important part of many cities' cultures.

Steps How to Become

Research the street performing scene in your area. Check out local parks or other public spaces to find popular spots for street performances. Visit these locations to observe and get a feel for what types of performances are popular in your area.
Choose your type of performance. Decide what type of performance you want to do. Consider what type of skill you can offer and what others may be interested in seeing. Popular choices include music, dance, juggling, magic tricks, comedy, and mime.
Practice your performance. Spend time practicing your performance so that its polished before you take it to the streets. Consider filming yourself and getting feedback from friends and family.
Get the right equipment. Make sure you have all the necessary equipment for your performance. This could include an amplifier for music acts or props for a magic show.
Obtain a permit. Many cities require street performers to obtain a permit before performing. Contact your local government to find out the requirements for obtaining a permit.
Promote yourself. Reach out to local media outlets to promote your performance and attract a larger audience. Make sure to post about your performances on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.
Perform. Once youve done your preparation, its time to hit the streets and start performing! Be sure to be confident and engaging with your audience, and dont be afraid to take risks. Good luck!

Being an effective and qualified street performer requires a combination of dedication, practice, and the right attitude. Having the right attitude means being able to take constructive criticism, handle rejection, and stay motivated in the face of adversity. Dedication to perfecting your craft is also key; this means investing time and energy into learning, rehearsing, and refining your performance.

having a willingness to practice and experiment with different techniques, ideas, and routines can help make your performances more dynamic. Finally, having the right mindset is a major factor in becoming a successful street performer. This means having a positive attitude and an enthusiasm for performing that will draw in your audience.

With the right attitude, dedication, and practice, you can become a successful street performer.

You may want to check Storytelling Performer, Variety Performer, and Ventriloquist Performer for alternative.

Job Description

Street Musician: Play music on sidewalks and other public places to entertain passersby.
Street Artist: Create artwork, such as paintings and sketches, with an audience watching and sometimes buying or commissioning work.
Street Performer: Perform shows such as juggling, mime, magic, and other acts in public places.
Street Entertainer: Use crowd-pleasing techniques like jokes, stories, and puppetry to entertain passersby.
Street Vendor: Sell items such as food, drinks, and artwork in public spaces.
Street Magicians: Perform magic tricks to amaze and astound a live audience.
Street Mime: Use body language, gestures, and facial expressions to entertain an audience.
Street Comedian: Perform stand-up comedy routines in public spaces.
Street Photographer: Take pictures of people in public places and sell them to interested parties.
Street Dancer: Dance on sidewalks or other public areas to the delight of onlookers.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Musical talent and proficiency in a particular instrument
Ability to engage and entertain a crowd
Showmanship and stage presence
Creativity and improvisation
Knowledge of popular songs and musical genres
Professionalism and punctuality
Ability to work independently or with a team
Ability to accept tips or donations
Physical stamina and strength to perform for extended periods of time
Ability to accept criticism and feedback

Being a successful street performer requires a variety of different skills. One of the most important skills to have is the ability to entertain an audience. This involves having strong creative abilities, the ability to read a crowd, and the ability to improvise and adapt.

Having good communication skills is also essential in order to interact with the audience and build a rapport. As well as this, having musical prowess and technical skill is key for the successful performance of any musical instruments or songs. Knowing how to create a strong stage presence is also important in order to make a lasting impression.

Finally, having a strong work ethic and determination is key in order to succeed as a street performer, as it can be quite difficult to find gigs and build an audience. When all these skills are combined, it can lead to success as a street performer.

Circus Performer, Roving Performer, and Physical Comedy Performer are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What inspired you to become a street performer?
What skills and experience do you bring to the role?
How do you engage with an audience?
How do you choose what type of performance to present?
What do you believe makes a successful street performance?
Describe any challenges you have faced as a street performer?
How do you handle hecklers and other distractions?
How do you handle tips, donations and other donations from your audience?
What techniques do you use to draw a crowd and keep them entertained?
Describe a time when you had a particularly successful street performance.

Common Tools in Industry

Amplification system. Used to increase the volume of sound for street performances. (eg: portable sound system)
Drum kit. A set of drums and cymbals used to create music and add beats to a performance. (eg: bass drum, snare drum, hi-hat, crash cymbal)
Microphone. Used to amplify the performer's voice and project it to the audience. (eg: dynamic microphone)
Keyboard/Synthesizer. An electronic musical instrument used to create and play various sounds. (eg: Yamaha synthesizer)
Guitar. A musical instrument used to create musical notes and chords with strings. (eg: electric guitar)
Pedal board. A board containing various effects pedals to alter sound. (eg: distortion pedal, reverb pedal)
Costume/Accessories. Used to create a performance aesthetic and capture the audience's attention. (eg: masks, hats, props)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Federation of Musicians
Association of Street Performers International
Busker Central
Street Performance World Championship
National Association of Buskers
Global Street Performance Network
International Buskers Association
National Street Performers Network
World Buskers Federation
United Street Performers of America

We also have Aerial Performer, Comedic Performer, and Acrobatic Performer jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Busking. The practice of performing in public places for gratuities, often for money.
Street Performance. A live performance in a public place, such as a street corner or plaza.
Street Theater. A form of performance art where actors present short plays or skits in public spaces.
Street Musician. A person who plays music in public places for money.
Street Dance. A form of dance that originated in urban areas and is usually performed in public spaces.
Street Art. Any form of visual art created on or near public streets and sidewalks, often with the intent to attract attention.
Mime Artist. A performer who uses physical gestures, facial expressions, and body movements to communicate a story or create an illusion.
Juggler. A person who performs juggling tricks with objects such as balls, clubs, and rings.
Ventriloquist. A performer who uses a puppet to tell stories and jokes while speaking in a voice that is not their own.
Fire Breather. A performer who uses fire-breathing techniques to create a dramatic effect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is street performing? A1: Street performing is an artistic activity that involves performing in public spaces for an audience, usually in exchange for money or other donations. Q2: What are some common street performance acts? A2: Common street performance acts include singing, dancing, playing instruments, performing magic tricks, and juggling. Q3: What is busking? A3: Busking is a form of street performing where performers typically use portable musical instruments to attract attention and earn money. Q4: What are the rules for street performing? A4: Rules for street performing vary by location, but generally involve obtaining a permit from the local government, ensuring safety for both performers and viewers, and making sure to respect the rights of those affected by the performance. Q5: How can street performers earn money? A5: Street performers can earn money by passing around a hat or taking donations from their audience. Some street performers also allow people to purchase CDs or other items after their performance.