2 answers
Jared
Student
Boring, Oregon
1
Question
Updated
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What advice do you have for someone choosing a double major?
I know that being a musical theater major does not guarantee a financially sustainable career. I would like to double major in something that would allow me to have a stable career option with flexibility to perform and pursue my passion.
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2 answers
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach, Mentor
1209
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Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
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Karin’s Answer
Hi Jared,
I can understand why you would look for a second major given the somewhat fickle nature of a career in entertainment. I would caution against a totally different second major though for practical as well as financial reasons.
If you were to add a totally unrelated second major, you would more or less double the cost of your education. You would also either double your workload or have to stay in school much longer than your typical 4 years. I don't think that's worth it for a career you don't actually want to do. In addition, a school that's great for theater is not necessarily one you would chose for e.g. biology (I am sure there are exceptions).
You could broaden your base in the entertainment industry by getting a general theater degree (instead of focusing on musical theater from the start) where you would take courses not only in the performance side of things but also in script writing, technical theater, theater management, make-up etc. That would allow you to find work in different aspects of a production. A business major or minor might also be manageable.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
I can understand why you would look for a second major given the somewhat fickle nature of a career in entertainment. I would caution against a totally different second major though for practical as well as financial reasons.
If you were to add a totally unrelated second major, you would more or less double the cost of your education. You would also either double your workload or have to stay in school much longer than your typical 4 years. I don't think that's worth it for a career you don't actually want to do. In addition, a school that's great for theater is not necessarily one you would chose for e.g. biology (I am sure there are exceptions).
You could broaden your base in the entertainment industry by getting a general theater degree (instead of focusing on musical theater from the start) where you would take courses not only in the performance side of things but also in script writing, technical theater, theater management, make-up etc. That would allow you to find work in different aspects of a production. A business major or minor might also be manageable.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Liam Rielly
Data Center Technician
180
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Manassas, Virginia
Updated
Liam’s Answer
I think it is wise to choose a secondary major along with musical theater. I think you will find more work in theater than you are expecting but having a parachute career path never hurts!
Think of a major that will keep you close to the theater. Don't reach too far out of the field, as in don't do biology and musical theater as double major. Think about who and how theaters are financed, try and get a degree so you can maybe control finance. Think about stage design or communications or other fields. I don't have a great grasp of jobs at a theater so I can't say what job will be perfect, but if you aren't on stage, think of how you can support the people that are. Get that degree.
Think of a major that will keep you close to the theater. Don't reach too far out of the field, as in don't do biology and musical theater as double major. Think about who and how theaters are financed, try and get a degree so you can maybe control finance. Think about stage design or communications or other fields. I don't have a great grasp of jobs at a theater so I can't say what job will be perfect, but if you aren't on stage, think of how you can support the people that are. Get that degree.