3 answers
Jesse
Student
Coden, AL
1
Question
Asked
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How do I start a career in theatre?
What is required to become a stage hand for theatre productions for broadway and how would I set up my résumé for that and where would I start in high school?
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3 answers
Nikki Harmon
Playwright
3
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Nikki’s Answer
Theatre is the best business to be in! And the best way to get there is by knowing all areas of theatre, no mater what area you go into now it will make you better at whatever you do.
While you're still in high school work in every area of the productions. Then go to college! And choose the one with the best theatre department . . Yale, UCLA, Northwestern, Carnegie Mellon, NYC, Columbia, Duke, etc. are examples.
You'll not only learn from the best professors but you'll make life-time friends that help each other throughout their careers. During a summer between semesters do a summer stock internship (we called it apprenticeship when I did mine). You'll have a better idea of what area you want to work in once you've hung lights, built sets, sewn costumes, assisted the director, etc. And once you have your college decree then apply for an internship at a regional theatre.
My unions are Equity and Dramatists Guild. For my first 20 years I worked as a prop designer, lighting designer, stage manager, stitcher, and even as an assistant to a broad sword master. And now, for the last 40 years, as a playwright (who often puts costume, prop and lighting notes, along with how to block a fight scene into my stage directions). What you want to do now may not what you do along the way.
My advice is to learn everything you can , and the best way to to that is to take every opportunity to work in every area of theatre you can. And if you do, you'll have the most amazing career in the most fun and rewarding business there is.
Break-a-leg!
Get at Bachelors Degree
Get a Masters Degree
Do an apprentice in summer stock
Do an Internship in regional theatre
While you're still in high school work in every area of the productions. Then go to college! And choose the one with the best theatre department . . Yale, UCLA, Northwestern, Carnegie Mellon, NYC, Columbia, Duke, etc. are examples.
You'll not only learn from the best professors but you'll make life-time friends that help each other throughout their careers. During a summer between semesters do a summer stock internship (we called it apprenticeship when I did mine). You'll have a better idea of what area you want to work in once you've hung lights, built sets, sewn costumes, assisted the director, etc. And once you have your college decree then apply for an internship at a regional theatre.
My unions are Equity and Dramatists Guild. For my first 20 years I worked as a prop designer, lighting designer, stage manager, stitcher, and even as an assistant to a broad sword master. And now, for the last 40 years, as a playwright (who often puts costume, prop and lighting notes, along with how to block a fight scene into my stage directions). What you want to do now may not what you do along the way.
My advice is to learn everything you can , and the best way to to that is to take every opportunity to work in every area of theatre you can. And if you do, you'll have the most amazing career in the most fun and rewarding business there is.
Break-a-leg!
Nikki recommends the following next steps:
Clayton Guiltner
Producer / Director
1
Answer
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Clayton’s Answer
Starting in High School it’s a good idea to begin to gain to as much experience as possible, working on crews for as many shows as you can at school, in community theatre, church, or any other volunteer opportunities in your community. After high school I’d recommend pursuing a bachelors degree in theatre or technical theatre. As you near the end of your college career you can begin applying for summer internships or jobs for regional professional theatres. Getting these jobs will help you earn union points for the IATSE (The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees) and this may help you in applying for jobs on Broadway or at other professional regional theatres. Another option is to continue your education and earn a Masters degree in a specific field in technical theatre, this may increase your chances of getting hired professionally.
Volunteer in high school plays
Pursue a college degree
Apply for internships
Pursue a masters degree
Clayton recommends the following next steps:
Thomas O'Shea
Live Sound Engineer, Music Producer, Musician
60
Answers
Madison, Wisconsin
Updated
Thomas’s Answer
Theater is very much like my industry of music. You don't necessarily NEED a degree, however it is helpful in the long run. You mainly need a work ethic and just continually audition until you book something. If you don't go to school it may be harder to find an agent but if you build your way up from smaller regional shows to bigger shows you should be able to find one. This list I created below is a combination of a few things that will help with a music career.
Hope this helps!
Don't just perform in your high school shows- do community theater and local theater
If you choose to go to school, audition for many and choose your favorite later.
INTERN in any way possible
PRACTICE as often as you can.
If there are auction opportunities even if it's for TV or small roles in movies, AUDITION. You will be happier doing something close to what you love than having to scrap by with pennies in a job you hate.
Hope this helps!
Thomas recommends the following next steps: