näitlejad

Näitlejad are performers who portray characters in theatre, film, television, radio and other media. They interpret scripts, convey emotions and create distinct personalities through voice, facial expression and bodily movement. Their work can be performed live on stage or captured for screen or broadcast.

They work in collaboration with directors, writers, designers and other actors. Auditions, casting processes, rehearsals and performance schedules are typical parts of the profession. The range of assignments includes classical theatre, contemporary drama, television series, film productions, voice work and narration.

Training and development for näitlejad often involves formal education in drama and acting. In Estonia, institutions such as the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre offer professional acting programs, complemented by theatre schools, workshops and masterclasses. Key skills encompass memory and line delivery, voice control and diction, physical expressiveness, character analysis, improvisation, knowledge of dialects and languages, and the ability to collaborate in a production team.

Career structures vary from staff contracts in repertory theatres to freelance engagements and work in film studios or radio stations. In Estonia, major theatre venues include Eesti Draamateater (Estonian Drama Theatre) in Tallinn, Tallinn City Theatre and Vanemuine in Tartu. Screen actors may participate in domestic film and television productions and provide voice-overs for animation or advertising. Professional networks and agencies help with auditions, contracts and representation.

Specializations include stage acting, screen acting and voice acting; techniques differ for live performance versus camera work, with stage acting often emphasizing projection and presence and screen acting favoring subtlety and nuanced expression.