3 answers
Savannah
Student
Twin Lakes, Wisconsin
1
Question
Asked
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When pursuing a career in musical theater, is it better to go to grad school for an MFA after undergrad or head straight to New York and auditioning? #Spring25
I want to have my MFA so that if I choose to settle down in the future, I have the option, but my ultimate goal is performing.
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3 answers
Adam Shun
Customer Success Manager
6
Answers
Edison, New Jersey
Updated
Adam’s Answer
Savannah,
I studied Drama at Tisch in NY, which included musical theater, even though my main focus was straight drama and comedy. If you have talent, I suggest finding a great acting coach in NYC or enrolling in a Musical Theatre program. Consider opportunities like Actors Connection in NYC, where you can meet agents and take classes to help you land a job.
NY is very competitive, but don't be discouraged. Start by looking for off-Broadway roles or student projects from NYU or Columbia. While student projects might not pay, they will give you valuable experience to build your resume.
I hope this encourages and supports you on your journey.
Adam
I studied Drama at Tisch in NY, which included musical theater, even though my main focus was straight drama and comedy. If you have talent, I suggest finding a great acting coach in NYC or enrolling in a Musical Theatre program. Consider opportunities like Actors Connection in NYC, where you can meet agents and take classes to help you land a job.
NY is very competitive, but don't be discouraged. Start by looking for off-Broadway roles or student projects from NYU or Columbia. While student projects might not pay, they will give you valuable experience to build your resume.
I hope this encourages and supports you on your journey.
Adam
Adam, thank you!
Savannah
Michelle M.
Actress
2464
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Savannah !
I am happy that you have an academic perspective for this career and as an actress I would like to advise you about this. Huge advice (sorry) - do not major in Musical Theatre, rather Major in Theatre. Also, yes, you should go for a Masters Degree, but in something marketable. You could teach if you get your Masters in Theatre if that's what you'd want to do later on. Definitely go for a Masters degree, 100%, then move to L.A. or N.Y.C. This will benefit you in an important way.
This advice is because Musical Theatre is a genre, not a career. That's not to say that you wouldn't predominantly get musicals to choose to audition for, but the career is theatre and the specialties are performance or tech. I am not so sure why colleges have been breaking off a genre of theatre and making it a major and will start to look into this as I do get a fair amount of questions regarding majoring in musical theatre.
That being said, if you decide to get the Theatre Degree, you can take singing in the Music Department and Dance in the Physical Education Department, and if you choose, take private lessons for them in your community. Your theatre department just might offer a course in musical theatre, though. As an actress, you basically learn musical theatre when you're in a musical. If you get the degree in Theatre, you might be able to have a better chance of getting an awesome non-performance job in professional theatre. Also, on a resume, a Musical Theatre Degree is not considered a strong degree but Theatre actually transfers well in some instances. Mine did. For non-performance work or non-theatrical work, employers are thinking that you'll quit the job as soon as you get a part somewhere so they don't consider a person with a degree in theatre. With Theatre, you can however show you have a basic foundation and understand all facets of theatre and have the training, even if it's a non-performance position. Musical Theatre is a genre.
Once you obtain your Bachelors, you may be very eager to go to pursue the career, but I advise getting the Masters first. The feeling of wanting to start working as an actress is very strong after graduation and you'll have to see what you think at that time. You can work as an actress locally for the two years it takes to get the Masters. New York City has acting opportunities for stage, film and television production in all five boroughs, upstate New York, New Jersey and the counties that surround New York City. I experienced both the Hollywood and the New York route and if I had to recommend one or the other as a beginning actress, I'd say Hollywood. There's more work there. If you audition for musicals, keep in mind that you should also submit your materials (photos, resume, reel) for other things as well. Extra work can prove to be valuable as are commercials and User Generated Content that you can do online.
By registering at casting websites, you can probably do shows during your Masters Program. The auditions are listed for whatever location they are hiring people in and it's not always for NYC or L.A. Back Stage and Actors Access are the two popular ones and I like Direct Submit. I'm also on my local casting website for local work.
If you have anymore questions feel free to ask. I hope this is helpful despite me re-directing you for a Bachelors in Theatre and I wish you all the best ! The career is worth all the planning !
I am happy that you have an academic perspective for this career and as an actress I would like to advise you about this. Huge advice (sorry) - do not major in Musical Theatre, rather Major in Theatre. Also, yes, you should go for a Masters Degree, but in something marketable. You could teach if you get your Masters in Theatre if that's what you'd want to do later on. Definitely go for a Masters degree, 100%, then move to L.A. or N.Y.C. This will benefit you in an important way.
This advice is because Musical Theatre is a genre, not a career. That's not to say that you wouldn't predominantly get musicals to choose to audition for, but the career is theatre and the specialties are performance or tech. I am not so sure why colleges have been breaking off a genre of theatre and making it a major and will start to look into this as I do get a fair amount of questions regarding majoring in musical theatre.
That being said, if you decide to get the Theatre Degree, you can take singing in the Music Department and Dance in the Physical Education Department, and if you choose, take private lessons for them in your community. Your theatre department just might offer a course in musical theatre, though. As an actress, you basically learn musical theatre when you're in a musical. If you get the degree in Theatre, you might be able to have a better chance of getting an awesome non-performance job in professional theatre. Also, on a resume, a Musical Theatre Degree is not considered a strong degree but Theatre actually transfers well in some instances. Mine did. For non-performance work or non-theatrical work, employers are thinking that you'll quit the job as soon as you get a part somewhere so they don't consider a person with a degree in theatre. With Theatre, you can however show you have a basic foundation and understand all facets of theatre and have the training, even if it's a non-performance position. Musical Theatre is a genre.
Once you obtain your Bachelors, you may be very eager to go to pursue the career, but I advise getting the Masters first. The feeling of wanting to start working as an actress is very strong after graduation and you'll have to see what you think at that time. You can work as an actress locally for the two years it takes to get the Masters. New York City has acting opportunities for stage, film and television production in all five boroughs, upstate New York, New Jersey and the counties that surround New York City. I experienced both the Hollywood and the New York route and if I had to recommend one or the other as a beginning actress, I'd say Hollywood. There's more work there. If you audition for musicals, keep in mind that you should also submit your materials (photos, resume, reel) for other things as well. Extra work can prove to be valuable as are commercials and User Generated Content that you can do online.
By registering at casting websites, you can probably do shows during your Masters Program. The auditions are listed for whatever location they are hiring people in and it's not always for NYC or L.A. Back Stage and Actors Access are the two popular ones and I like Direct Submit. I'm also on my local casting website for local work.
If you have anymore questions feel free to ask. I hope this is helpful despite me re-directing you for a Bachelors in Theatre and I wish you all the best ! The career is worth all the planning !
You rock! This advice is very helpful.
Savannah
I am happy to be of help !
Michelle M.
MaryAnn Ivan
Musical Director/Composer
8
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
MaryAnn’s Answer
Hey there Savannah,
Following on what Michelle and Adam said, I’m going to add my experience to the mix for your reflection.
I did my undergrad work in Music Therapy. Despite fully believing in the discipline and doing practicum and workshops in the college program, I knew what I truly wanted in my heart was to be in New York City and pursue the Broadway thing. I’m a musical director and pianist, all things music etc.
Long story short: I finished my degree, tooled around my hometown of Pittsburgh and did everything I could do there musically and with theatre, short of playing for the Pgh Symphony Orchestra, even though I was in the Youth Symphony as a percussionist.
In the end I listened to a friend’s advice and applied to NYU graduate studies and got in. I was in the School of Education, not Tisch, like Adam. I majored in Music Composition and in 8 months my private teacher opened the Broadway door. I’ve been playing Broadway ever since thanks to a conversation at a lesson about being totally poor, especially in grad school IN New York City. But you have to be able to walk in and walk the talk.
My story is not a normal time frame and your being an actor is an especially hard road due to all the competition here. Every one is just as good as you and better. This is a great town to learn from and patience is a huge part of it.
I encourage you to finish your studies and as Michelle said, a degree in Theatre is broader than a Musical Theatre pinhole. Also, maybe you’d like to pursue a graduate degree in New York. I was turning 28 when I took the leap. I never looked back. I hope the same luck and perseverance finds you as well.
Break a leg !
Mary Ann
Meet people, meet people, meet people, net work !!! In School … it’s WHO you meet.
Beware swindlers.
Find a mentor.
Believe in yourself !!
Take no wooden nickels.
Following on what Michelle and Adam said, I’m going to add my experience to the mix for your reflection.
I did my undergrad work in Music Therapy. Despite fully believing in the discipline and doing practicum and workshops in the college program, I knew what I truly wanted in my heart was to be in New York City and pursue the Broadway thing. I’m a musical director and pianist, all things music etc.
Long story short: I finished my degree, tooled around my hometown of Pittsburgh and did everything I could do there musically and with theatre, short of playing for the Pgh Symphony Orchestra, even though I was in the Youth Symphony as a percussionist.
In the end I listened to a friend’s advice and applied to NYU graduate studies and got in. I was in the School of Education, not Tisch, like Adam. I majored in Music Composition and in 8 months my private teacher opened the Broadway door. I’ve been playing Broadway ever since thanks to a conversation at a lesson about being totally poor, especially in grad school IN New York City. But you have to be able to walk in and walk the talk.
My story is not a normal time frame and your being an actor is an especially hard road due to all the competition here. Every one is just as good as you and better. This is a great town to learn from and patience is a huge part of it.
I encourage you to finish your studies and as Michelle said, a degree in Theatre is broader than a Musical Theatre pinhole. Also, maybe you’d like to pursue a graduate degree in New York. I was turning 28 when I took the leap. I never looked back. I hope the same luck and perseverance finds you as well.
Break a leg !
Mary Ann
MaryAnn recommends the following next steps: