Career questions tagged theatre
What can I do kickstart jobs in my major while I am starting or currently attending college?
I am a first generation college student that will be majoring theatre. I took a gap year to save money for tuition and will probably be working throughout the school year as well. But, I have been thinking if there is a way I can tie my work into my intended major to gain as much experience and potential career opportunities as possible. That way, I can get the full college experience while also giving myself a head start into the real world with my career. Finding a place to start is where I seem to be struggling the most. Any ideas or advice is extremely helpful!
How can I get involved in theatre when I start teaching at a public high school?
I'm a college student studying to be a high school teacher and I've always had a passion for the theatre. I was wondering if anybody has any insight on how I can get involved in theatre once I begin teaching. Would I likely be able to volunteer to help out? Should I look for a more professional position? Would it be worth the extra time and money for me to pick up a Theatre minor while I'm in college?
What are the benefits of seeking an MFA in theatre vs a PhD? What are the prospects of each?
I'm going back to school to pursue an MFA in theatre, but I am wondering if I should continue on and get a PhD after and if I should cater my time in my grad program to flow into a PhD. Is this a PhD going to be a waste of time and money if I already have an MFA?
How do musicians become involved in pit orchestras? #Spring26
I am currently a senior at Valencia High School, and will be a freshman in college this fall as a Music Education and Performance major. I would love to work in theatre as a musician.
How do I know my chosen college major will actually get me where I want to be in my career path What if I change my mind? Is there a fallback? ?
I've been really anxious about this lately. I feel like I'm going to force myself into a position I won't be happy with as an adult. I'm currently majoring in theatre and creative writing-- and I love those subjects, I've been an actor all my life and telling stories is my favorite thing to do, plus I'm genuinely good at both... But I'm not 100% sure I actually want either of those as a career path. Or, at least, I'm worried I'll change my mind somewhere down the line. It feels intimidating to decide on the trajectory for my whole life at nineteen. #spring26
Does anyone have advice on pursuing, balancing, and combining double majors in two very different academic spectrums such as Chemistry and Theatre?
I’m very interested in both the arts and science, and wish to pursue both in college. I’m concerned on what this will mean in course load, and future career planning.
What kind of certification should I earn to qualify for this kind of position and gain certain knowledge that aligns with my future career goals?
I want to become a proffessional theatre artist that can make an impact in my community. However, I am unsure of where to get my start when it comes to the college process.
What advice would you give for trying to get into the professional theater/acting world?
I am wondering what advice can be given to help me be able to try become a professional actor. I am also helping direct a play, any advise for that would also be appreciated.
Does anyone have tips on technical crew portfolios?
Hey! So I'm doing an interview for technical theater and does anyone have any tips on putting together a portfolio? Any piece of advice you provide is great!
What college to study theatre in Mexico City you can recommend me?
I have been checking colleges, but I don't find one that convince me enough, so I need colleges recommendations or tips about how can I choose the right college to study theatre.
Will a career in Theatre and Music work out for me?
I am a junior in high school and am considering going to college to get a degree of theater or music or a mix of both. I am wondering what kind of jobs I could get with of combination of these degrees and how hard it would be to get these degrees? Is the pay good? Are these jobs hard or fun or unstable and difficult to acquire? Is there a good job market in this field? I am looking for advice to see if this path would be able to support my life and is even attainable.
How viable is a career in Theatrical Lighting Design?
I'm currently a High School Senior applying to a variety of Colleges for Theatrical Lighting Design. After graduation, how stable could a career as a Lighting Designer or Master Electrician be?
Are there any specific scholarships you can get for studying musical theatre?
I am a senior in high school and plan to study MT, but I need a lot of financial aid. Are there any specific scholarships I can apply to for MT?
Where should I move after college to start a sustainable SFX makeup career in film or theater?
I am a college art student planning to become a special effects makeup artist for film or theater. I have looked into a few cities on my own and, based on cost of living, I feel more drawn to places like Atlanta or Toronto than LA or Hollywood. I do not want to lock myself in too early, though. For people currently working in the field, which cities would you seriously consider if you were starting now and wanted both steady income and good creative opportunities, and why would you choose them over the usual “big name” places?
How can I go from being an art student to a steady, paid special effects makeup career in film or theater?
I am a college art student, and I focus on special effects makeup, horror looks, and creative character design. I want to understand the real steps people take right after school to turn this into consistent paid work, not just one‑off gigs. Any specific examples of paths you or people you know took would help a lot.
Actors, Can you share with me your journey?
I'm an aspiring actress interested in knowing how someone else got their big break. Tell me everything: What class did you take? What inspired you to act? What special skills do you have? Anything and everything is welcomed!
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.
What tips do you recommend me if I wanna be an actor?
I want to study theatre but my family is hesitant about the working space and they tell me that is not a good choice, but I wanna prove them that this is my passion and that this is my dream
What are some tips on creating your film reel? How should I prepare for callbacks if I am invited?
I am applying for Purchase and Fredonia for an Acting BFA. I just wanted to know about any tips I could use in preparing for auditions.
Are minors looked at by jobs or are they not important?
I'm thinking about taking on some minors to further my education, but I've heard that minors don't matter to employers. Is this true? Are minors just as important as majors? For more context, I am currently a Theatre Arts major and English and Creative Writing: Publishing major. I want to get rid of my English and Creative Writing: Publishing major because it is not what I am passionate about. I am passionate about theatre, and I want to pursue a career in the business side of theatre. The dream would be to be an Artisitic Director of a theatre. I was thinking of adding minors in Marketing and Graphic Design, and possibly others, because adding a Business major would add too many semester hours and credits onto my workload. Would employers look at and take into account my minors, or would they solely look at my major(s)? Are minors considered an important aspect of my education to employers?
How realistic is it to pursue a job in theatre management and what steps should I take to do this?
I am currently a freshman in college, and I am realizing that my passions lie in the theatre world, but more so in the management side. I would love to pursue a career in theatre management whether that be a project manager for a theatre or shooting for the stars to be the artistic director of a theatre. However, I'm not sure if this is a feasible goal, or if I should be more realistic and stick to my current plan of being an English & Creative Writing: Publishing major and pursue a career in publishing. I am also curious what I should major in if I do decide to switch majors and remove my English & Creative Writing: Publishing major. I currently attend the University of Iowa, and they do have a good Business school, but I also know that Iowa is known for their Writing programs and not necessarily their Business or Theatre programs. I definitely know that whatever I do, I am keeping Theatre Arts as a second major because I have a lot of college credits from high school that allow me to do so. Should I let theatre just be my "fun thing," or can I turn this passion into a realistic career? How would I get a job after college with a reasonable salary I can sustain myself off of? How difficult is it to actually pursue a theatre management career? How long will it take for me to climb my way up to a well-paying job? Basically, my biggest question is, is it worth it/realistic?
How do i start acting as a 14yrld girl in Oregon with some stage experiencebut a lot of stage fright? And how to i get my strict parents so allow me to go into the entertainment industry to do what i love?
I am going into 9th grade but am taking multiple 10th grade advanced core classes.(math, ela, science.) In the past I have been in multiple ballet performances and 2 acting performances, both as the lead. This year I signed up for the acting class at Sandy Highschool Or. I also enjoy singing and dancing. (Advice from younger actors around my age would really help but any advice will be happily taken.)
What is a good secondary major for technical theatre?
I am about to be a senior in high school and I want to major in technical theatre/maybe stage management, but I’m very nervous about the lack of job stability/lower pay. I want to do a double major in something related to technical theatre (i want to specialize in sound and set/props) so that i have something to fall back on should it not work out and something i can do on the side to earn extra money to cover expenses. does anybody have recommendations for another major related to this?
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 important is it for my degree to align exactly with the field of fashion or costume design when pursuing a career in that industry?
I’m aiming for a career in costume design, particularly within theme parks or theatre. I'm considering pursuing a BA in Graphic Design, supplemented with electives in fashion and photography. Would this interdisciplinary approach be viewed favorably by employers in the field, or would it be more advantageous to prioritize a degree specifically focused on fashion or costume design?
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?
As an incoming college freshman planning to double major in Theater and Education, what are one or two specific things you wish you had done earlier in college to prepare for a career that blends creativity with teaching?
I'm passionate about using the performing arts, especially theater, as a tool for education and social impact. I’m interested in careers like teaching drama, educational program design, or working in youth development through the arts. I’d love advice on experiences I should seek out (like internships, volunteering, or specific classes), connections I should try to make, or even mistakes to avoid. I want to be intentional with my time from the very beginning.
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