Types of traveling performers (and allied trades)

{Another great original data-digest by Tim Boucher!}™

Definition of performer:

A performer, in this case, is being loosely defined* as a person who puts on, appears in or directly assists in a performance, show, display, diversion, exhibition or entertainment for a group of people, either formal or informal, public or private.

Performers often are required to travel to maintain their livelihood, putting on shows wherever an audience can be made to assemble, whether that be: on streetcorners, at fairgrounds and festivals, under a tent, in an opera house, an academy of music, a hall or auditorium, a 'legitimate' theatre venue, and even a stadium or arena.

A group of performers who work and/or travel together under the aegis of a single show or company may be refered to as a troupe.

List of types of performers:

  1. Mime
  2. Clown
  3. Acrobat
  4. Juggler
  5. Dancer
  6. Athlete
  7. Chorus
  8. Orchestra
  9. Minstrel
  10. Musician
  11. Troubadour
  12. Poet
  13. Bard
  14. Mummer
  15. Actor
  16. Thespian
  17. Parade, callithumpian
  18. Animal act (trainer, rider)
  19. Freak (sideshow)
  20. Puppeteer
  21. Barker
  22. Magician
  23. Mentalist
  24. Illusionist
  25. Medium
  26. Mountebank, charlatan
  27. Huckster, quack doctor
  28. Crew
  29. Stagehand
  30. Electrician
  31. Cameraman, photographer
  32. Carpenter
  33. Tradesman
  34. Artisan, craftsman
  35. Journeyman
  36. Laborer, worker
  37. Tinker
  38. Driver, trucker
  39. Sailor
  40. Soldier
  41. Salesman
  42. Concessions
  43. Merchant
  44. Trader
  45. Gambler
  46. Preacher
  47. Prophet
  48. Evangelist
  49. Teacher
  50. Doctor
  51. Prostitute
  52. Sex worker
  53. Burlesque
  54. Model
  55. Politician
  56. Statesman
  57. Spy
  58. Diplomat
  59. Judge
  60. Explorer/adventurer
  61. Translator
  62. Guide
  63. Hunter, woodsman
  64. Herder, drover

*Note: The definition of 'performer' used in this case is a necessarily broad one. Our emphasis is on creatively uniting diverse strands of human activity under a common survey framework based around lifestyle characteristics, cultural associations and social rituals connected to the notion of the traveling performer as an universal archetypal image.

Last updated on 26 Oct 09.
Copyright 2009, USA
.
++