Noh actors are divided into shite-kata (main actors), waki-kata (supporting actors), kyogen-kata (farce actors) and hayashi-kata (musicians; further divided into fue-kata [flute players], kotsuzumi-kata [small hand drum players], otsuzumi-kata [large hand drum players] and taiko-kata [drum players]) according to their roles, the last three of which are collectively called the sanyaku (three roles).
能楽師には、シテ方、ワキ方、狂言方、囃子方（笛方・小鼓方・大鼓方・太鼓方）の職掌があり、特にワキ方・狂言方・囃子方を総称して三役ともいう。