Shiki Sanban requires the total of eight or nine actors who play the role of Okina (Shite-kata, which means the protagonist) which is performed by Tayu (the head of each school of Noh), the role of Senzai (Shite-kata in Kamigakari composed of the Kanze and Hosho schools of Noh sharing the same roots in Kyoto and Kyogen-kata, or Kyogen-shi, in Shimogakari comprising the Konparu, Kongo, and Kita schools of Noh sharing the same roots in Nara), the role of Sanbaso (Kyogen-kata), the role of Menbako-mochi (who makes an appearance as Kyogen-kata only in Kamigakari to play opposite in the dialogue of the Sanbaso section), Fue-kata (a flute player), three Kotsuzumi-kata (small hand-drum players), and Otsuzumi-kata (a large hand-drum player).
式三番に要する役者は、翁役の大夫（シテ方）、千歳役（上掛りではシテ方、下掛りでは狂言方）、三番叟役（狂言方）、面箱持役（上掛りに限って出る。狂言方。三番叟の段で問答の相手役を勤める）、笛方、小鼓方3名、大鼓方の計8ないし9名。