Key difference: Performing arts encompasses any and all art forms in which a person conveys artistic expression through their face, body and/or voice. Acting is a type of performing art, as an actor commonly has to rely on this face, body and voice to depict a character.

Performing arts encompasses any and all art forms in which a person conveys artistic expression through their face, body and/or voice. The performing arts are a vast area of artistic expressions which include many distinct forms of arts, such as dance, music, opera, theatre and musical theatre. Even art forms such as performing magic or illusion, mime, spoken word, puppetry circus arts, recitation and public speaking, may be incorporated under performing arts.

Acting is a type of performing art, as an actor commonly has to rely on this face, body and voice to depict a character. Acting technically falls under theater, which is a type of performing art that utilizes combinations of speech, gesture, music, dance, sound and spectacle to act out stories in front of an audience.

There are many different types of theater, including plays, musicals, opera, ballet, illusion, mime, classical Indian dance, improvisational theatre, stand-up comedy, non-conventional or arthouse theatre, etc. All these types of theater require the performer to act.

Comparison between Acting and Performing Arts:

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