5 answers
Griffin
Student
Hingham, Massachusetts
1
Question
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Theatre degrees?
What is a good alternative or a job that you can get with a theatre degree? Are there any well-paying jobs with a theatre degree, and can I do theatre for a living?
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5 answers
James Mintz
16
Answers
Updated
James’s Answer
Absolutely anything you’re interested in!
I realized the arts… particularly managing a production as you will in said major… are a Business Management and Social Sciences practicum for absolutely any professional role in the “real world.”
I majored in Theatre Production/ Social Sciences, partly because I’d been doing theatre since 5th grade and gained a knowledge base in the field.
Now I’m in Aviation Management. I’ve done professional Theatre and other unrelated management roles. I use my Theatre experience every single day.
*** It’s important to remember there ARE excellent, and “stable” full time careers IN the arts!*** Go for your what you’re drawn to. For work and for your major.
I realized the arts… particularly managing a production as you will in said major… are a Business Management and Social Sciences practicum for absolutely any professional role in the “real world.”
I majored in Theatre Production/ Social Sciences, partly because I’d been doing theatre since 5th grade and gained a knowledge base in the field.
Now I’m in Aviation Management. I’ve done professional Theatre and other unrelated management roles. I use my Theatre experience every single day.
*** It’s important to remember there ARE excellent, and “stable” full time careers IN the arts!*** Go for your what you’re drawn to. For work and for your major.
Mayou Roffe
Actor
4
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Mayou’s Answer
Hi Griffin,
It is very difficult to completely support yourself with acting so if that isn't REALLY calling to you, this could be the time to shift focus to tech! Light and sound are two fields that are often essential in theater making and both are really solid options to specify into.
STAGE MAMAGING is a great gig as well! Do a little research about how a stage manager is different than an assistant dir or production manager etc, but it's good-paying work and super engaged in theater. Stage managers with actor experience tend to do well:)
OR go to your school's (or a local theater's) SCENE SHOP/prop shop/ workshop and see if SET DESIGN, or prod design, is interesting to you. It's more hands-on and super satisfying work in a lot of ways. You'll pick up some truly invaluable skills and be part of a cool community!
Best of luck!
Mayou
It is very difficult to completely support yourself with acting so if that isn't REALLY calling to you, this could be the time to shift focus to tech! Light and sound are two fields that are often essential in theater making and both are really solid options to specify into.
STAGE MAMAGING is a great gig as well! Do a little research about how a stage manager is different than an assistant dir or production manager etc, but it's good-paying work and super engaged in theater. Stage managers with actor experience tend to do well:)
OR go to your school's (or a local theater's) SCENE SHOP/prop shop/ workshop and see if SET DESIGN, or prod design, is interesting to you. It's more hands-on and super satisfying work in a lot of ways. You'll pick up some truly invaluable skills and be part of a cool community!
Best of luck!
Mayou
Brendon Walker
Technology Sales Leader
2
Answers
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Updated
Brendon’s Answer
There are many careers out there where the type of degree you have does not matter, but your willingness to learn and professionalism can take you far. In my own experience my degree was in Software Engineering, but I went into sales. Sales, Marketing, HR, Recruiting, Operations, Project Management, etc. are all types of careers you can look at with alternate degrees. This way you can make your way in your career, while also perusing your passion in Theater (and eventually do that full time as you progress there as well). Best of luck!
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1179
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Yes, there are some jobs in theatre and you can do it for a living.
The absolute first one that comes to mind is teaching on a high school or college level, however, you would need a teaching credential and I personally would suggest going for a Masters Degree (in Theatre) for this. You'd have to do the Masters Degree in person as it is such a physical form of work.
I am not sure if you are asking about different jobs other than acting or jobs outside of theatre as you have requested "alternative" careers while having a theatre degree. I will first explain some careers that you can have in theatre that don't pertain to acting. For any of these positions, you would most certainly have to live in either New York City or Los Angeles (unless things change). You will have to join the specific union, too, in order to get a well-paying job. Some of the jobs other than acting would be : Directing, Set Design and Construction, Lighting Design, Sound Design, Props Design and Construction, Stage Management and Talent Management. There is also Box Office Management, Booking Agent, Casting Director, Events Coordinator, or something in radio.
I wanted to mention those careers but truthfully, it would depend on what your emphasis was in your theatre course of study. Theatre is a very general term. My emphasis was Acting and two non-acting jobs I've had were in Audience Relations and as a Director of Admissions at an acting conservatory. I also taught Acting to children while I had no degree between my sophomore and junior year. You just never know how this career will go.
In this field, experience is priority over a college degree. I would suggest having the degree, though, because it is a competitive field and you'll be applying for jobs for which other applicants do have the degree, so you'll want to have that as an edge. But you will find that the interviewer's expectation of lots of experience in whichever realm will be key. Sometimes, people's colleagues or friend hires them, though, so contacts are very important. That is because they've seen how you work and like working with you.
When I was doing extra work in Hollywood, I met a lot of older, retired people that were doing extra work full time. No one knows how a career in the performing arts will go. You have to try and be able to stick with it no matter what.
Keep asking specific questions and try not to get discouraged. Always be aware of possible job opportunities through the websites Linked In and Indeed. Register with Actors Access, too and explore all options.
Best wishes for a satisfying journey towards a career that you will love.
The absolute first one that comes to mind is teaching on a high school or college level, however, you would need a teaching credential and I personally would suggest going for a Masters Degree (in Theatre) for this. You'd have to do the Masters Degree in person as it is such a physical form of work.
I am not sure if you are asking about different jobs other than acting or jobs outside of theatre as you have requested "alternative" careers while having a theatre degree. I will first explain some careers that you can have in theatre that don't pertain to acting. For any of these positions, you would most certainly have to live in either New York City or Los Angeles (unless things change). You will have to join the specific union, too, in order to get a well-paying job. Some of the jobs other than acting would be : Directing, Set Design and Construction, Lighting Design, Sound Design, Props Design and Construction, Stage Management and Talent Management. There is also Box Office Management, Booking Agent, Casting Director, Events Coordinator, or something in radio.
I wanted to mention those careers but truthfully, it would depend on what your emphasis was in your theatre course of study. Theatre is a very general term. My emphasis was Acting and two non-acting jobs I've had were in Audience Relations and as a Director of Admissions at an acting conservatory. I also taught Acting to children while I had no degree between my sophomore and junior year. You just never know how this career will go.
In this field, experience is priority over a college degree. I would suggest having the degree, though, because it is a competitive field and you'll be applying for jobs for which other applicants do have the degree, so you'll want to have that as an edge. But you will find that the interviewer's expectation of lots of experience in whichever realm will be key. Sometimes, people's colleagues or friend hires them, though, so contacts are very important. That is because they've seen how you work and like working with you.
When I was doing extra work in Hollywood, I met a lot of older, retired people that were doing extra work full time. No one knows how a career in the performing arts will go. You have to try and be able to stick with it no matter what.
Keep asking specific questions and try not to get discouraged. Always be aware of possible job opportunities through the websites Linked In and Indeed. Register with Actors Access, too and explore all options.
Best wishes for a satisfying journey towards a career that you will love.
Tiffany Holmes
Entertainment Production Logistics Coordinator - Universal Orlando Resort
11
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
Tiffany’s Answer
Hi Griffin!
A theater degree can be incredibly useful in all types of occupations. I currently work with the Entertainment Production team at Universal Orlando, and my theater degree from UCF was extremely useful.
Stage Management requires a lot of the same skills that event management and planning does-- budgeting, organization, scheduling, etc. Even more than that-- pretty much every business requires those same skills.
Acting requires an ability to speak in front of people-- meaning careers in education, training, tours, and facilitation are all great options for you (and very much utilize a Theater Degree).
Then of course there are all kinds of specialty skills-- Costume Design, Scenic Design, Painting, Choreography, etc that I get to see utilized every single day in Theme Parks!
The possibilities with a career in the arts are endless and the skills you learn with an Arts Degree are definitely transferable to a wide range of jobs.
Good luck!
A theater degree can be incredibly useful in all types of occupations. I currently work with the Entertainment Production team at Universal Orlando, and my theater degree from UCF was extremely useful.
Stage Management requires a lot of the same skills that event management and planning does-- budgeting, organization, scheduling, etc. Even more than that-- pretty much every business requires those same skills.
Acting requires an ability to speak in front of people-- meaning careers in education, training, tours, and facilitation are all great options for you (and very much utilize a Theater Degree).
Then of course there are all kinds of specialty skills-- Costume Design, Scenic Design, Painting, Choreography, etc that I get to see utilized every single day in Theme Parks!
The possibilities with a career in the arts are endless and the skills you learn with an Arts Degree are definitely transferable to a wide range of jobs.
Good luck!