3 answers
Jian
Student
North Bergen, New Jersey
1
Question
Asked
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To music/theatre majors, do you regret your major? Why or why not? #Fall25
As someone who plans on attending college for Musical Theatre, I often question whether it's the right choice. I know it's not entirely financially ideal, but I've dedicated my whole life to performing, and I know it's my passion. Still, I know job prospects are rough in that field, so I'm wondering if you guys might see it as a waste.
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3 answers
Michelle M.
Actress
3276
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Jian !
I am so glad that you are thinking about this and reaching out BEFORE you enroll in college. I have a Bachelors Degree in Theatre and would love to provide some advice for you. It would be totally erroneous to go for a college degree in musical theatre.
First, musical theatre is a genre, not a career. Employers would not value this degree. You don't need a college degree to obtain a part in a musical. If you ever wanted to get an Administrative job in theatre, the degree in a genre such as musical theatre would not carry weight. Singing, Dancing and Acting are skills that you can learn from single courses or private lessons in the community. So, what should you major in ?
Your Bachelors Degree should be in Theatre. Plain and simple. With this degree, you can obtain non-performing jobs in Theatre. For auditions it shows that your training was complete, structured, consistent and disciplined and that you know how to work in a collaborative manner. With my degree in Theatre, I obtained a career job after graduation from college in a major theatre company in Los Angeles doing ticket sales management, season tickets and audience relations. But between my Sophomore and Junior year, I obtained a job teaching acting through a city Parks and Recreation Department without the degree yet. I also obtained an awesome job as Director of Admissions for a Fall Semester at The National Shakespeare Conservatory (which since has closed) in New York City. You would be surprised how non-performing jobs in Theatre are as exciting as performing ! And you meet contacts that later are valuable for performance work !
If your Theatre Department doesn't include Singing or Dancing, do what I did. I went to the Physical Education Department and took Dance and the Music Department to take Singing. To be honest with you, you really learn musical theatre by being in a musical. That's what the Director is for. So a degree in musical theatre is not going to be of any help for your acting career. With a degree in Theatre and lots of experience on your resume, you would be considered for auditions or interviews better.
I did go to college many decades ago and musical theatre was not a major (like I said, it's a genre) so I was very surprised to learn that these days it's offered as a major. Most likely, if you major in Theatre, you could probably take a couple of single musical theatre courses as electives for your major. You will want your degree to pay off after you graduate. Since you are in North Bergen, you most likely will pursue your career in New York City. You can try out for all the musicals you want, but remember, if you want work, be open to all auditions for your type so you can work.
During your academic path in Theatre, you will be meeting a lot of people and opportunities will present themselves. Audition for a couple of plays/musicals on campus but do most of your performances off campus and community theatre or projects with private production companies because they carry more weight on the resume and are viewed as more professional, even though some college productions are very much on a professional level.
Definitely return here with any other concerns you have on your mind. I hope this is something to think about and I wish you all the best in your acting career !
I am so glad that you are thinking about this and reaching out BEFORE you enroll in college. I have a Bachelors Degree in Theatre and would love to provide some advice for you. It would be totally erroneous to go for a college degree in musical theatre.
First, musical theatre is a genre, not a career. Employers would not value this degree. You don't need a college degree to obtain a part in a musical. If you ever wanted to get an Administrative job in theatre, the degree in a genre such as musical theatre would not carry weight. Singing, Dancing and Acting are skills that you can learn from single courses or private lessons in the community. So, what should you major in ?
Your Bachelors Degree should be in Theatre. Plain and simple. With this degree, you can obtain non-performing jobs in Theatre. For auditions it shows that your training was complete, structured, consistent and disciplined and that you know how to work in a collaborative manner. With my degree in Theatre, I obtained a career job after graduation from college in a major theatre company in Los Angeles doing ticket sales management, season tickets and audience relations. But between my Sophomore and Junior year, I obtained a job teaching acting through a city Parks and Recreation Department without the degree yet. I also obtained an awesome job as Director of Admissions for a Fall Semester at The National Shakespeare Conservatory (which since has closed) in New York City. You would be surprised how non-performing jobs in Theatre are as exciting as performing ! And you meet contacts that later are valuable for performance work !
If your Theatre Department doesn't include Singing or Dancing, do what I did. I went to the Physical Education Department and took Dance and the Music Department to take Singing. To be honest with you, you really learn musical theatre by being in a musical. That's what the Director is for. So a degree in musical theatre is not going to be of any help for your acting career. With a degree in Theatre and lots of experience on your resume, you would be considered for auditions or interviews better.
I did go to college many decades ago and musical theatre was not a major (like I said, it's a genre) so I was very surprised to learn that these days it's offered as a major. Most likely, if you major in Theatre, you could probably take a couple of single musical theatre courses as electives for your major. You will want your degree to pay off after you graduate. Since you are in North Bergen, you most likely will pursue your career in New York City. You can try out for all the musicals you want, but remember, if you want work, be open to all auditions for your type so you can work.
During your academic path in Theatre, you will be meeting a lot of people and opportunities will present themselves. Audition for a couple of plays/musicals on campus but do most of your performances off campus and community theatre or projects with private production companies because they carry more weight on the resume and are viewed as more professional, even though some college productions are very much on a professional level.
Definitely return here with any other concerns you have on your mind. I hope this is something to think about and I wish you all the best in your acting career !
Breck Sullivan-Carpenter
Costume Designer
4
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Breck’s Answer
In my case, my official degree is listed as a BA Communication Arts and Sciences/theatre track. I also doubled w/ a BA psychology degree. Honestly if you want a professional career in theatre, any degree or none at all is fine. Your training, your work on stage, your experiences will drive you forward. But most on-stage roles are all about the audition and 1) if you fit a part, 2) if you can actually act/sing/dance, and 3) if you are what the folks running the auditions really want. Talent is necessary, but not the only part of being successful. It really is a crapshoot on who makes it onto a stage and why.
I am a professional costume designer and in my 45 years of work, I have also been cast in a few on-stage roles because I did stage work and could sing.
College is a whole other world and I recommend you major in what you love and grab all the other oddball courses you also have an interest in as you go.
I am a professional costume designer and in my 45 years of work, I have also been cast in a few on-stage roles because I did stage work and could sing.
College is a whole other world and I recommend you major in what you love and grab all the other oddball courses you also have an interest in as you go.
Stephanie Dunnam
Actor
5
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Stephanie’s Answer
I agree with Michelle that a more comprehensive degree in Theatre will broaden your experience and frame you as a professional. Also, if you need to pick up teaching here and there for money, a degree goes a long way to help you get that work. To play devil’s advocate, I do have friends who have built entire careers in Musical Theatre. One teaches voice for extra money and has been a musical director on occasion. She has a degree in Theatre from SMU, once a League school, when the League of Professional Schools still existed. The League included colleges such as Yale, NYU, Julliard, and Carnegie-Mellon. Now, you don’t have to attend a place like that to have that special teacher you learn a career’s worth from, but heads still turn when I am at a Theatre audition in different parts of the country and they see that I attended SMU. Asking around, wherever you are, can get you to schools and teachers with reputations for their talents. That’s how I found an Acting teacher in L.A. and met so many friends over the years I can hardly turn on the television without seeing one. Doing as many shows as you can get also creates a place for you with working people in the industry. Your part doesn’t have to be a big one to make friends and from them, you can find out about training and opportunities as well. I still give my teachers credit for my professional status. Good luck and don’t give up!