A role, or rôle, in the performing arts, is usually taken to mean an actor's characterization, or interpretation, of a character written in a script that culminates in a unique performance of that character. So, for example, Shakespeare's character of King Lear remains timeless and unchanging as words on a page, but each new actor coming to the character creates a new role, a new expression of the possibilities in that character. Each actor brings his or her own sensibilities, physicality, emotional history and personality to a character to create a unique role. Consequently, no two roles can ever be the same. This is one of the features of performance that makes it compelling and 'alive'.

The term role is usually used of the dramatic arts, but roles may be acted, sung or danced.

Not to be confused with the term Role-play which is the experimentation of character, and/or situations. See more at role.