Career questions tagged theatre
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
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 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?
Should I pursue musical theatre?
I've been a musician my entire life. I started violin when I was 5 and learned many more instruments along the way as well as absolutely loving singing. I live in a small town so there's very few opportunities for music, but spring of my freshman year, I went to a nearby town and saw a community theatre. I absolutely fell in love and started going to school there so I could do it. Since then I've been a part of every single production and lately I've been having a bit of a crisis. I really want to try and pursue musical theatre professionally. My original plan had been to go into audio technology and run a recording studio but I'm starting to wonder if I could truly make it. I love it so much, and I think I'm a very good musician and a pretty decent actor (I got second in speech and drama at state) but I also don't have much dance experience or opportunities to get into it. I'm also worried that because I got into this so late, that I might not have enough experience under my belt or suddenly not like it anymore. Realistically, would I be able to make a living in musical theatre? I don't need to be famous or rich, I just wish I could spend all day doing what I love and be able to support. I was also thinking as a back up getting a minor in education so I could work with education in a community theatre if nothing else. Anyone have advice for what I can do to prepare, or if it's not worth it and I should just stick with my original plan?
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?
What is the best college for a theatre major in California?
As a junior, I want to be ready for upcoming senior responsibility and do research now rather than late, but when I check for colleges for the best theatre major it's mostly in other states. any advice helps :)
Help! I have too many (performing arts) career interests!!?
I am a very ambitious person when it comes to what I want to do as far as my career goals. But, I have so many interests and things I want to do, that I just don't know how to either pick one (or a few), or just somehow try a bit of everything or something. Currently, I am interested in singing, acting, playing piano (solo, orchestral, accompaniment), and teaching piano/voice. I know opera combines singing and acting, so that might be an option, although I don't know how that would look with piano/piano teaching. I also think it would be really cool to be on Broadway! I could also go down the path of just focusing on teaching, and I think being a piano professor eventually would also be very interesting to me. I also could just choose between singing/acting, or piano, but that seems IMPOSSIBLE. I could never choose and abandon one of them, but I just don't know how I can make them work together. I think my main problem is that I don't know how I want my life to look like, so that's why I find it so hard to choose. If I don't do all of them, I feel like I'm abandoning opportunity in that field. Honestly, I just want to know how I could do it all if that's even possible.
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?
How do I have a career in technical theatre?
I am a junior in high school and I got into tech (specifically set and props) last year through our spring musical and i am doing the musical this year as well. I still am not sure what I want to do, it’s between tech and law, but I don’t know much about how to have a stable career with tech. I love to create and the variety of working in theatre really appeals to me. I don’t know much about doing theatre professionally, but I really enjoy it and can see myself doing it for a long time, but i’m worried about job security and financial stability. Does anybody have some advice?
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?
How to get an audition in a film?
Or else how can join any theatre group or can I be a teacher in any theatre group? Because Acting is my passion and Teaching is another. So teaching drama to the students is just another level, students to all age groups. Kindly guide me.
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 way to get in front of casting directors?
I have dance and theatre experience and am a performing artist. I took some time off and it is still my dream and passion to work in entertainment. I am 33 years old! College doesn't feel like the right fit at my age. I don't have transportation or much means to speak of. I was working as a data analyst in the technology industry and was laid off. It sounds ridiculous, but it was a real wake up call. I idolize artists that have made impacts in fashion, music, film, tv, and on the stage. But I am absolutely clueless on what to do.
Stuck Between 2 Paths and graduating soon what should I do?
I am 21 and completing my final year in university as a psychology, forensic specialization and criminology dual major with a minor in youth and children studies. I have been struggling with deciding 'what to do with my life' for a long time but it has become serious as I need to start applying to graduate schools. My first path/interest has to do with my majors. I am extremely interested in young offenders, at risk youth, mental health and criminality and general, and other forensic psychology related topics. I do not know what exact career I would want but I do have some ideas. I am looking to pursue a masters degree in forensic psychology, I am not completely sure I like doing research which is what most if not all master/graduate programs consist of though. Fortunately I am doing a Honours thesis this year which may help but I'm still nervous about not being good enough to do these programs. My other dilemma is that I have strong passions in another field. For the longest time I have wanted to be a singer it is my biggest passion, and I am honestly happiest singing. More recently I have developed a passion for musical theatre as it incorporates other things I like such as acting. However I have no experience or training in singing or theatre which makes it difficult to pursue. For my entire life practically I've been interested in the arts: music, singing, writing, acting and so on but I feel like for one it is too late for me to pursue it. I also really love my major(s) and feel passionate about doing things in that field but I also want to do theatre/the arts. I feel so stuck and I worry I will have issues pursuing a career in forensic psychology - I have mental health issues and this past year has been extremely difficult making my school work suffer so I worry I will get burnout and have another bad episode. I wish there was a way to do both somehow because that would make me feel very complete but it seems impossible especially considering how much time both careers need and the importance of work life balance. I am hoping someone has some insight. I apologize if this doesn't make sense
What education and skills does it take to become an actor/ voice actor?
When I was younger, I use to laugh at the characters that I see on tv like Jim Carrey. So when I grow up I want to make other people laugh, smile, and make their day.
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.
I’d it possible to become an actor at 14 and if so how?
I’ve been wanting to be in the entertainment business for my whole life. Now that I’m 14 and have some skills I want to know how I can make this a possibility.
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.
