Career questions tagged theater


How do I create a portfolio for technical theatre?
I am about the be a senior in high school and i want to major in stage management/technical theatre (specifically related to set, props, and sound), but im not sure how to create a portfolio. I’ve only been doing theatre since my sophomore year and have only done two shows. I’ve always just been part of a crew, i’ve never stage managed or been crew head, so i’m not sure how to impress admissions people. I don’t have much experience, but I truly love theatre and being creative, so I don’t know what to do.


How do I become a teen actor?
Hi! I'm a kid (grade ten) interested in going into some sort of an acting career. I've done many musical theatre productions, including acting at school and being a background character in university productions. I'm interested in acting for stuff like movies! I live in a small town so it's hard to figure out what to do and where to go.

How can I build my professional acting portfolio while being active in college, what will professional companies most look for ?
I'm a seventeen year old in high school, and am going to college for theatre. More specifically live theatre. I've had experience in competitive and community plays in the past and have enjoyed both experiences thoroughly. However, I've never experienced theatre on a professional level, as there haven't been any opportunities available to me. This is concerning as I intend to become a professional actor post-college, and have currently had zero experience to put in my portfolio. What are the most important factors that casting agents look for in an applicant, how can I build those skills during college so Ill have experience in the field prior to application?

How should acting students network and handle the pressure of eventual graduation and job searching?
I am majoring in acting in theatre, and although I am so excited, I am scared for graduation because I know it's a competitive field. Going into the "real" world and industry is especially daunting. A lot of actors say that most of their careers are spent auditioning. I was wondering if there's more hope than people say, or even just the reality of it.

What are some careers that you can go into after studying musical theatre and decide not to pursue a life on the stage? #spring25
I am excited to start my musical theatre major in the fall, but curious to see what other careers people have gone into if the stage is not in the cards.

How do aspiring actors and artists make the transition from college life into the business world without falling on their face #Spring25
I desire to become a Musical Theatre actor or director out of college, but I am not sure where to look for auditions or job applications. #Spring25

Any Fashion/merchandise majors, what careers did you use your degree for and what does that entail? #Spring2025
I would really like to own a clothes brand or work in a boutique, or even make costumes for musicals. Lots of options to consider so I wanted more insight, thank you.

How Would I Start my Journey?
How would I make my way, starting from college, into the theatre acting scene? I know I can start my own journey confidently, but don't know exactly how to start it after college as I was mostly focused on that in the moment.


How do you get into the screenwriting industry?
I am interested to making a career out of acting, screenwriting or playwriting, as well as using my musical abilities of singing and songwriting. I understand that networking is key but as an actress I have only done background work, and student films, plus an online commercial. I don't have an agent and am uncertain as to what that process is like or when I should look into one. Also I am in school (Sophomore year) to obtain a Film degree as I find that most screenwriters have degrees. I realized early on that I am natural writing and dialogue comes naturally to me I just don't know how to put it together to be a professional piece of work and I am curious to connect within any one who has gone through this process and are successful.

How many auditions did it take you to get your first actual professional music job/gig ?
I’m currently an undergrad vocal performance major and I know the industry can be brutal. How difficult is it exactly and how much rejection should I expect to receive?

What's YOUR best way to stay motivated and consistent in college, or just in general
I'm not gonna lie- being in college has been EXHAUSTING to say the least. I feel like I've done enough to to earn myself a doctorate, and it's only my second year! Espically with being a film student, the late nights shooting with early morning classes can be alot for me- not to mention my job, applying for scholarships, working out, and maintaining a social life, to name a few. To any creatives, or anyone's who got their life down to a science- how did you do it? And what could I do to find at least a little bit of stablity in this seemingly always unstable environment?

How Many years does a music education degree take?
Can I still participate in jazz band as a bassoon major? What about theater? I love performing and acting and don’t want to sacrifice them.?


How can I check about internships if there are no posters in school?
I want to be a voice actor but I rarely see anything that involves any type of acting for experience (high school level)

What education and experience requirements are there for basic backstage theatre/entertainment jobs (ie. prop assistant, set assistant, PA, set painter, etc.)?
No offense to any of those jobs -- I'm currently in a remedial school and not very confident about graduating, let alone any type of college. Not exactly in the spot to pay for certifications either. Do I need a diploma or training to compete for those jobs, or do I have a chance at a local theater/low-budget production? Is volunteering at a local theater worth my time currently, or should I just focus on school?

What are the requirements for acting? How long does it take to make it into the main stage of acting like doing movies with Blumhouse, Universal Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, and etc?
How long does grind short film movies take to get recognized by the big production studios? How long does the process take.. does it take no process does your short film have to go viral to be recognized?

What degree should I major in if I want to be a Creative Director?
I am currently working in healthcare administration looking to pivot my career to creative directing. I have no clue where to start. I have interest in musical theater, production design, graphic design, and creative writing.

I'm young and really don't know all that much about college. I know that I want to pursue musical theater, but how do I go about doing that?
I've had my sights set on NYU, but I currently live in MD, and it would be pretty expensive. Are there any scholarships that could help relieve the price I can work towards? I'm really ill-informed about college, and if it's not a bother, I would really like the whole process to be explained. And also, assuming I graduate with some form of musical theater degree, how does the "real world" work in theater? I also plan on having kids--how is that possible if you're a full-time actor, especially one that goes on national tours? I'm not trying to sound naïve, but I was never taught about college and it's bringing me a lot of unwanted stress because it just seems so huge and incomprehensible. Is there any advice you all have to offer?


How can I get into acting professionally at age 16?
I have been acting in school plays and musicals for 8 years. I have also taken theatre and acting classes.


What is the best option?
I think I've decided I want to do some form of art with my life; leaning more towards theatre. My options in my mind right now are 1) go to a community college and pursue theatre education. Become a drama teacher 2) go to a close-ish college and pursue fine arts education; become an art teacher 3) go to AMDA (on the other side of the country) and try for Broadway or some other Performance arts place I would love to do AMDA, but I'm worried it won't be worth it. It's so far away, but I would be happy. The art college is closer, meaning it would cost less, and I'd still be happy. Theatre and art are what have gotten me this far in life. They are what have made me happy and brought me out of my shell of anxiety.

What are the most effective?
What are the most effective ways to transition from a theater degree into a well-paying career outside of traditional theater roles, and how can one leverage their theater background in industries like marketing, event planning, or arts administration?

What kind of entry-level jobs should I look into if I want to be a theatre manager?
I just graduted college and got my BA in theatre. I found a love of event planning and managing a theatre. I want to know what is the best way to find a job and what type of roles I should look into.


I want to be a Singer, Songwriter, Dancer, Actor, and Author. Is it possible to do them all?
I’ve seen many people that have done it. Like Kim K. She does so much and so well. I want to know if I can do all the things I love to do and keep a personal life and keep myself from going insane from all the work.


How to keep coming up with ideas for a sitcom series? #Spring 2024
I am 16 and writing a TV sitcom to make on my high school stage with sets, costumes, makeup and the lot. I am also the lead actor, the director and producing it. I have 21 episode ideas, the first two fully scripted. What is the best way to keep the creative juices flowing with a hectic high school schedule, and get more episode ideas.