10 answers
hannah
Student
Tallahassee, Florida
4
Questions
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What is a good secondary major for technical theatre?
I am about to be a senior in high school and I want to major in technical theatre/maybe stage management, but I’m very nervous about the lack of job stability/lower pay. I want to do a double major in something related to technical theatre (i want to specialize in sound and set/props) so that i have something to fall back on should it not work out and something i can do on the side to earn extra money to cover expenses. does anybody have recommendations for another major related to this?
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10 answers
Michelle M.
Actress
3284
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Hannah !
Your inquiry shows that you are really thinking about your future theatre career, but it's way too soon to think about going into theatre while at the same time thinking about a survival job. There is no good secondary major - you'll have to Major in Theatre which will take up all of your time. You mentioned that you'd be interested in Stage Management, Sound and Set Construction (props). That's great. You will not be able to Double Major - Theatre is intense as a major - lots to learn and full time commitment. In my third year, I felt like I was in the military or something, so do not consider double majoring and do NOT worry about your future when it hasn't even started yet. You'll be fine.
This is a career that takes a careful process and I will tell you what it is like. You will have your courses, perhaps a work study job in the theatre department, practicums which usually are in the evenings and for stage mgt., it's attendance at rehearsals and performances. If you are Stage Manager for one of the university plays, you'll have a call time before the show and will spend more time after the show, usually at night but daytime for Children's Theatre. Your "free time" is going to be spent studying for your General Ed courses and other classes and writing papers for those courses. I still found time for socialization and that was at a time before the internet and video cameras and any conception of a cell or smart phone. You may obtain your Tech experience on campus or off campus.
If you do not worry about it, you're going to see that you adapt easily and grow more motivated being around the Theatre Department, students and professors. Every one of us entered theatre realizing what it was, but there is something that I do want to mention. You may have to move after college and at some point to be where the work is and that may mean New York City, NY or Los Angeles, CA. I chose Hollywood at first (that was a life long dream of mine) then I moved to NYC. No one can tell you how your career is going to go. I don't think we're supposed to know. You will need to build up your experience and even if you stage manage other types of things like expos or other things, that counts on your resume too. Once you get to NY or L.A., you'll see that there is a lot to choose from to apply to. In a theatre desert town, it will be fewer opportunities and far between, so one has to be willing to take the plunge on either coast.
Being a Theatre Major will prepare you for Sound, Set Construction (props) and Stage Management. There are courses for all of those and you can do practicums and special projects for experience and college credits, too. Sometimes for Set Construction and Sound, some places hire more than one tech person so you've chosen two promising niches. Oh, you are also going to have to know and understand Lighting as well in order to be a Stage Manger.
Don't forget to apply for every Theatre scholarship and grant that you qualify for to help out with college expenses. Once you get to NYC or L.A. for your career, joining the Union, The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, will protect your salary. By joining the Stage Managers' Association and the United States Institute for Technical Theatre, you will have the chance to network and make contacts and see job listings and utilize the professional resources they provide. So it's really an exciting thing to look forward to - don't give up. You can do this !
So . . . do not double major, apply for work study through Federal Student Financial Aid and take a work study job in the Theatre Department on campus, throw worry out the door. Most survival jobs can be things that you already know how to do if you ever need to have one. Working online, food service, retail, etc. Just focus on theatre and as you move along and learn more, you'll be surprised at how your confidence will grow.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best ! Theatre needs you !
Your inquiry shows that you are really thinking about your future theatre career, but it's way too soon to think about going into theatre while at the same time thinking about a survival job. There is no good secondary major - you'll have to Major in Theatre which will take up all of your time. You mentioned that you'd be interested in Stage Management, Sound and Set Construction (props). That's great. You will not be able to Double Major - Theatre is intense as a major - lots to learn and full time commitment. In my third year, I felt like I was in the military or something, so do not consider double majoring and do NOT worry about your future when it hasn't even started yet. You'll be fine.
This is a career that takes a careful process and I will tell you what it is like. You will have your courses, perhaps a work study job in the theatre department, practicums which usually are in the evenings and for stage mgt., it's attendance at rehearsals and performances. If you are Stage Manager for one of the university plays, you'll have a call time before the show and will spend more time after the show, usually at night but daytime for Children's Theatre. Your "free time" is going to be spent studying for your General Ed courses and other classes and writing papers for those courses. I still found time for socialization and that was at a time before the internet and video cameras and any conception of a cell or smart phone. You may obtain your Tech experience on campus or off campus.
If you do not worry about it, you're going to see that you adapt easily and grow more motivated being around the Theatre Department, students and professors. Every one of us entered theatre realizing what it was, but there is something that I do want to mention. You may have to move after college and at some point to be where the work is and that may mean New York City, NY or Los Angeles, CA. I chose Hollywood at first (that was a life long dream of mine) then I moved to NYC. No one can tell you how your career is going to go. I don't think we're supposed to know. You will need to build up your experience and even if you stage manage other types of things like expos or other things, that counts on your resume too. Once you get to NY or L.A., you'll see that there is a lot to choose from to apply to. In a theatre desert town, it will be fewer opportunities and far between, so one has to be willing to take the plunge on either coast.
Being a Theatre Major will prepare you for Sound, Set Construction (props) and Stage Management. There are courses for all of those and you can do practicums and special projects for experience and college credits, too. Sometimes for Set Construction and Sound, some places hire more than one tech person so you've chosen two promising niches. Oh, you are also going to have to know and understand Lighting as well in order to be a Stage Manger.
Don't forget to apply for every Theatre scholarship and grant that you qualify for to help out with college expenses. Once you get to NYC or L.A. for your career, joining the Union, The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, will protect your salary. By joining the Stage Managers' Association and the United States Institute for Technical Theatre, you will have the chance to network and make contacts and see job listings and utilize the professional resources they provide. So it's really an exciting thing to look forward to - don't give up. You can do this !
So . . . do not double major, apply for work study through Federal Student Financial Aid and take a work study job in the Theatre Department on campus, throw worry out the door. Most survival jobs can be things that you already know how to do if you ever need to have one. Working online, food service, retail, etc. Just focus on theatre and as you move along and learn more, you'll be surprised at how your confidence will grow.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best ! Theatre needs you !
Thomas O'Shea
Music Producer, Composer, Live Sound Engineer, Musician
146
Answers
Madison, Wisconsin
Updated
Thomas’s Answer
Sounds like you're really focused and conscious about the industry you want to enter! Good for you- that's really proactive and smart of you! I would say the answer to your question would depend on what you would be ok with doing aside from your work in the theater industry. Would you want to teach? Go for an education degree! Would you want to manage actors or help develop new ways of thinking for props and costumes? A business degree might suit you. If you like the music side of theater and are also open to teaching, you could also make your own path and do a music minor, education major, and a certificate in a specific area of music you want to teach.
Here's the thing about stability and money and all that- you don't know what the economy or job market will look like when you leave school. All you can focus on is what you can do NOW to push yourself closer to your dreams. I say go for your passion. Even if other people might not agree with me, I believe happiness in life comes first. Do whatever makes you happy.
Here's the thing about stability and money and all that- you don't know what the economy or job market will look like when you leave school. All you can focus on is what you can do NOW to push yourself closer to your dreams. I say go for your passion. Even if other people might not agree with me, I believe happiness in life comes first. Do whatever makes you happy.
TRAVIS UPCHURCH
Federal Contract Admin
230
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
TRAVIS’s Answer
Excellent question. Consider what careers you are interested in, know people who are currently in and where do you want to live? These are important questions to answer first. You can also consider education as a secondary consideration. It is steady, reliable and rewarding work and teaching theatre arts is a good path too.
Billy Vardharajan
Manager
27
Answers
San Diego, California
Updated
Billy’s Answer
Hi Hannah,
You're absolutely right—having multiple skills is a smart move!
Alongside my work in technology, I also focus on building my investment skills every day. It’s all about staying well-rounded and future-ready.
One exciting area to explore is content creation using Generative AI. It’s growing fast, and I’m already seeing impressive AI-generated content on platforms like YouTube. Getting familiar with these tools now will help you spot opportunities and carve out your place in the AI-driven job market.
Even better, learning these tools can open doors to freelance content creation, giving you more freedom and flexibility in how you work and live.
So dive in, experiment, and see where AI can take you!
All the best,
Billy Vardharajan
You're absolutely right—having multiple skills is a smart move!
Alongside my work in technology, I also focus on building my investment skills every day. It’s all about staying well-rounded and future-ready.
One exciting area to explore is content creation using Generative AI. It’s growing fast, and I’m already seeing impressive AI-generated content on platforms like YouTube. Getting familiar with these tools now will help you spot opportunities and carve out your place in the AI-driven job market.
Even better, learning these tools can open doors to freelance content creation, giving you more freedom and flexibility in how you work and live.
So dive in, experiment, and see where AI can take you!
All the best,
Billy Vardharajan
Chris Ridout
Chief Engineer - Software
5
Answers
Fort Collins, Colorado
Updated
Chris’s Answer
Consider using your skills in technical theatre and sound by learning audio engineering. This involves working with artists to mix their sound, voice, and instruments. It's useful not only for music recording but also for creating content for vloggers and influencers.
It's worth considering.
You're doing great by studying technical theatre and making a positive impact through the stage!
Keep up the good work!
It's worth considering.
You're doing great by studying technical theatre and making a positive impact through the stage!
Keep up the good work!
Pallavi Aras
7
Answers
Ashburn, Virginia
Updated
Pallavi’s Answer
Your major in technical theater has given you great skills in organization and planning. These can be really helpful if you want to switch to a business major like marketing or communication. If you enjoy drawing and design, learning computer graphics could be a great fit. If you're interested in computing, exploring cloud technologies like AWS might be easier than you think, and they offer excellent certification courses.
Focus on what you’re good at. You’ve got this!
Focus on what you’re good at. You’ve got this!
Martha Kramer
Corporate Training, Communications
480
Answers
Stamford, Connecticut
Updated
Martha’s Answer
Hi Hannah - this is an excellent question, and you have received great advice. Both my children and many of their friends stage managed in regional theater from middle school on, so I have a different perspective.
First, note that you could use the knowledge in many professional venues. For example, regional theaters need this skill set. Colleges and universities have professionals supervise students in building sets, designing lighting, etc. In my area, even private schools employ people to do that. In a different - but lucrative - direction, one of their friends managed high-production events for a large corporation. This included sales meetings, client-oriented conferences, and more.
Second, note that the organizational and problem-solving skills you will gain are transferable. For example, one of my children produces programs for a very large children's choir. Another produces educational programs for a non-profit. They both cite their stage-managing experience as key preparation for their current roles.
I hope this helps - good luck!
First, note that you could use the knowledge in many professional venues. For example, regional theaters need this skill set. Colleges and universities have professionals supervise students in building sets, designing lighting, etc. In my area, even private schools employ people to do that. In a different - but lucrative - direction, one of their friends managed high-production events for a large corporation. This included sales meetings, client-oriented conferences, and more.
Second, note that the organizational and problem-solving skills you will gain are transferable. For example, one of my children produces programs for a very large children's choir. Another produces educational programs for a non-profit. They both cite their stage-managing experience as key preparation for their current roles.
I hope this helps - good luck!
Kevin Ingle
Sr. Mgr for IT Support
3
Answers
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Updated
Kevin’s Answer
Hi Hanna,
Thanks for your question! To stay involved in theater while gaining useful skills, consider taking Business courses. These can teach you how to manage theater operations, like hiring staff, budgeting for sets and props, and maintaining the venue. This knowledge is valuable in many jobs.
You might also explore Project Management. These skills help you organize everything from building the stage to preparing costumes, all while actors rehearse. Being able to plan and execute tasks efficiently is a skill that benefits any career.
Break a leg!
Thanks for your question! To stay involved in theater while gaining useful skills, consider taking Business courses. These can teach you how to manage theater operations, like hiring staff, budgeting for sets and props, and maintaining the venue. This knowledge is valuable in many jobs.
You might also explore Project Management. These skills help you organize everything from building the stage to preparing costumes, all while actors rehearse. Being able to plan and execute tasks efficiently is a skill that benefits any career.
Break a leg!
Julie Bangs
2
Answers
Ashland, Oregon
Updated
Julie’s Answer
It's fantastic that you know what you're passionate about and what you want to do at your age. The best advice is to learn as much as you can and get hands-on experience in all areas of live entertainment. Community theaters, over-hire crews, and internships are excellent places to start. Having a wide range of skills will really help you succeed in the industry. I'm a Stage Manager, but I've gained experience in lighting, sound, props, costumes, and more. Consider joining over-hire crews at theaters with many touring shows. This gives you great hands-on training, and you'll learn a lot more than in a classroom. Sound engineering and mixing are excellent paths to consider, as good sound engineers are always in demand. I hope this helps, and good luck with everything you do!
Nana Aba Mensah Asiedu
Nursing/financial professional
1
Answer
Worcester, Massachusetts
Updated
Nana Aba Mensah’s Answer
Consider a career in health or wealth management. Nursing is a great option because you can work two double shifts a week, leaving you plenty of time to pursue theater or spend with family. Alternatively, while in college, you could get a license in insurance sales. By the time you finish your four-year degree, you'll be in a strong position to earn extra income. Best of luck!