joe047

Alright, so I'm very interested in majoring in Drama/Theater. Ideally I would like to work on plays somewhere, not necessarily on stage either. I would just love to be around theater as a career. How hard are these jobs to come by?

Also, realizing that it is very competitive to get jobs in theater, how plausible will it be that I can find another job as a drama major?

Will employers look down on it because it isn't as academic as some other Liberal Arts majors?

I'm also thinking about English or maybe even anthropology instead or as a double major with drama. Are there any benefits to double majoring?

Also, if I want to go to a theater grad program do I absolutely need to major in drama or can I major in somethign else and then just participate in shows at my school (this would be a possibility) to get experience?

Thanks!

letsfigureitout

There are probably many others who are more knowledgeable than me about theater-related jobs/careers and the paths to get there. However, as a mom of a "theater-kid" I have some ideas! Plus, look around this site for wonderful info about education related to theater careers.

First, what do you want to do? Act? Sing? Dance? Tech (sound, lights, costumes)? Lucky you if it's tech--those jobs are definitely available if you're good! Dramaturgy is another way to go to be "around theater." So, you need to be more specific. . .

Second, when my S was considering college programs, he was advised by many theater types (directors, theater education coordinators, artistic directors, etc.) that the way to go is to get an undergrad degree (in ANYTHING) and then go on to get an MFA. It was thought that having a broad education in literature, history, and life! was very important to a successful acting career. So, a double major would fit right into that sort of plan. We know many fine stage actors who have followed such a path.

(My S did not follow this advice; he felt it was not right for him. Instead, he's going the BFA route. We'll see where that takes him!)

NotMamaRose

This was passed along to me by a friend. I thought it was very worthwhile reading for any parent of an acting/musical theater major. This goes to the question of what theater majors learn and how these skills can be used in a variety of occupations/employment in later life:
************************************************** *****
This is an except of an article by Dr. Louis E. Catron, professor of Theatre at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Here's a list of twenty-five skills, traits, and qualities of personality that are usually well-developed in individuals who complete four years of undergraduate theatre study.

Take special note of them. They are more extensive and important than perhaps you recognize.

As you think about them, consider how many of these advantages are unique to theatre majors--and that you have far more advantages than majors in most other disciplines.

1. Oral Communication Skills

Many students find that theatre helps them develop the confidence that's essential to speaking clearly, lucidly, and thoughtfully.
Acting onstage teaches you how to be comfortable speaking in front of large audiences, and some of your theatre classes will give you additional experience talking to groups. Furthermore, your work on crews has taught you that clear, precise, and well-organized oral communications are best. Oral communication skills are so important to some employers that they often send management trainees to special workshops. You already have an advantage.

2. Creative Problem Solving Abilities

Most people expect theatre students to exhibit creativity in such areas as acting, design, playwrighting or directing, and many companies do recruit creative thinkers. But employers are not always aware that theatre experience also helps you learn creative problem-solving techniques that are applicable to many jobs. Tell them!
For one example, tech theatre work--building scenery, hanging lights, making props, running the show, and so on--is a particularly good way to learn how to think on your feet, to identify problems, evaluate a range of possible solutions, and figure out what to do.
The same is true of almost every aspect of theatre. Directing. Design. Acting. Playwriting. Management. And more.
The point here is that your creative ability, what you've learned about using creative processes to solve problems, can be directly applicable to virtually any job you may have.
Most major companies believe that a creative problem-solver will become a good employee. That's you

3. More than "get it done"

But theatre students learn that just "getting it done" isn't enough. Not at all. It goes beyond that. You learn to do it correctly. In theatre we learn that merely "getting the show on the boards" is pure bush league and totally unacceptable. Whatever your theatrical job--tech, performing, research, management--it has to be done right. You learn to take pride in doing things at your very best level. Of course an employer will value that trait.

4. Motivation and Commitment

Being involved in theatre productions and classes demands commitment and motivation. These are qualities that college theatre faculty members and, in some measure, you and your fellow students, probably already possess. By example, we teach each other that success comes to those who are committed to the task at hand. Few other disciplines you study will so strongly help you develop motivation and commitment.
Many theatre students learn to transfer that attribute from theatre to other activities such as classes and jobs. For employers, that positive attitude is essential.

5. Willingness to
Work Cooperatively

Your work in theatre companies teaches you how to work effectively with different types of people--often very different types!
Theatre demands that participants work together cooperatively for the production to success; there is no room for "we" versus "they" behavior; the "star" diva is a thing of the past. Your colleagues will usually let you know when you violate the team spirit of a production.
In theatre, it's important that each individual supports the others involved. Employers will be pleased to know that you understand how to be a team player.

6. The Ability to Work Independently

In theatre, you're often assigned tasks that you must complete without supervision. Crew chiefs. Directing. Putting together this flat, finding that prop, working out characterization outside of rehearsals. It's left up to you to figure out how best to achieve the goal. The ability to work independently is a trait employers look for in their workers.

7. Time-budgeting Skills

When you're a student, being involved in theatre forces you to learn how to budget your time. You need to schedule your days very carefully if you want to keep up your grades while you're busy with rehearsals, work calls, and the other demands that theatre makes on your time. Good time management skills are enormously important to employers.

8. Initiative

Personnel managers call people who approach work with initiative and enterprise "self-starters," people who do what needs to be done without waiting to be asked, without needing to be told.
The complexities of a theatrical production demand individuals who are willing to voluntarily undertake any task that needs to be done in order for the production to succeed. In theatre, we're all self-starters. We learn how to take initiative, to move a project from initial concept to finality--and to do it well.

9. Promptness and Respect
for Deadlines

Tardiness is never acceptable in theatre because it shows a lack of self-discipline, and more importantly, a lack of consideration for others. Being late for a rehearsal or a work call or failing to finish an assigned task on time damages a production and adversely affects the work of many other people. Theatre demands that you learn to arrive on time and meet scheduled deadlines.
That's a job-skill. Employers appreciate workers who are on time and do their work as scheduled.

10. Acceptance of Rules

In theatre you work within the structure of a set of procedures and rules that deal with everything from shop safety to behavior at auditions, rehearsals and work calls. You learn that you must be a "good follower." Theatre teaches you the importance of rules, a concept that's valued in any organization.

11. The Ability to Learn Quickly--
AND Correctly

Theatre students, whether they're memorizing lines or learning the technical aspects of a production, must have the ability to absorb a vast quantity of material quickly--and accurately . Your work in college theatre will show that you have the ability to grasp complex matters in a short period of time, a highly-valued trait to employers.
Note that part of this ability is another significant trait: knowing how to listen. If you don't listen, you're likely to make some major error that will damage the production. Listening is a skill for any job and an employer will respect your ability to listen and comprehend.

12. Respect for Colleagues

In theatre you discover that a successful production requires contributions from everybody who's involved. Mutual respect is essential. Working on a production teaches us to respect and trust the abilities and talents of our colleagues. A prospective employer will appreciate the fact that you have learned the importance of respecting your co-workers.

13. Respect for Authority

Only one person can be in charge of any given portion of a production. The director. The shop foreman. The tech director. The designer. Theatre teaches you to willingly accept and respect authority. That's a trait employers look for in their workers.

14. Adaptability and Flexibility

Theatre students must be adaptable and flexible. You need to be willing to try new ideas, accept new challenges, and have the ability to adapt to constantly changing situations and conditions. In one production you may be a member of the prop crew; in the next perhaps you're in charge of makeup, publicity or the box office; in a third production you might have a leading role.
A worker who is versatile and flexible is highly valued to most employers; both traits prove that you are able and willing to learn new things.

15. The Ability to Work
Under Pressure

Theatre work often demands long hours. There's pressure--often, as you know well, a lot of pressure. It's important that everyone involved with a production be able to maintain a cooperative and enthusiastic attitude under pressure. The ability to remain poised under such tensions in an asset that will help you cope with stress in other parts of your life, including your job.

16. A Healthy Self-Image

To work in theatre, you must know who you are and how to project your individuality. But at the same time, it's important to recognize the need to make yourself secondary to the importance of a production. This is a tricky balance that, although difficult to accomplish, is a valuable trait that employers treasure.

17.Acceptance of Disappointment--
And Ability to Bounce Back

Theatre people learn to deal with dashed hopes and rejection on a regular basis. Who hasn't failed to get a role he or she really wanted or a coveted spot on a tech crew? You learn to accept that kind of disappointment and move on. You try again. Employers need workers who are resilient enough to bounce back from this kind of frustration.

18. Self-Discipline

Theatre demands that you learn how to control your life. More than other students, you are forced to make choices between keeping up with responsibilities and doing things you'd rather do. You learn to govern yourself. An employer will respect that ability.

19. A Goal-Oriented
Approach to Work

Many aspects of theatre involve setting and achieving specific goals. In employer's terms, you've learned to be task-oriented and capable of finding practical ways to achieve goals.

20. Concentration

Busy theatre students, involved in a production or other theatre projects while also taking a heavy academic load, must learn to concentrate if they are to succeed. Acting classes in particular stress concentration, and once you have learned that skill as an actor, it can be transferred to other activities.

21. Dedication

As you work in theatre you learn to dedicate your very being--to doing your best to create a successful production. There is dedication to that show...to your home theatre...to theatre as an art.
Many theatre students discover that committing oneself to a given task is deeply rewarding. Employers respect workers who have learned the value of dedication.

22. A Willingness to Accept Responsibility

Theatre students sometimes have an opportunity that is seldom given to students in other disciplines--the chance to take on sole responsibility for a special project. Being a production stage manager...a designer...a crew chief...a director. Students with other majors seldom have anything even close to these lessons. You can expect employers to value this unusual ability.

23. Leadership Skills

As a theatre student, you have many opportunities to assume leadership roles. You may, for example, assist a director or designer and lead other volunteers, serve as a crew chief, or even design or direct a production yourself. In the nuturing environment of theatre, faculty help you learn from mistakes so you become a better leader. Leadership training like this can open the possibility for comparable opportunities in a company that hires you. Can you think of any other major that offers this opportunity?

24. Self-Confidence

Theatre training teaches you confidence in yourself. Your accomplishments in theatre show you that you can handle a variety of jobs, pressures, difficulties and responsibilities. You develop a "Yes, I can!" attitude. Of course an employer will treasure that.

25. Enjoyment -- "This is Fun!"

You've discovered already that theatre people mystify civilians when we say we're having fun. Non-theatre folk shake their heads when we tell them that, and they ask how it is possible to have "fun" in a job that keeps us working night after night, sometimes until after midnight, doing something that calls for a grinding rehearsal or work schedule day after day after day, that makes us miss going to a movie or a concert. "That's fun?"
Yes. It is. We've learned how to find enjoyment in what we do. That's a valuable attribute.
We can adapt that to other jobs, find ways to enjoy other activities. That positive attitude will mean a great deal to any employer.
AND MORE. MUCH, MUCH MORE
You get the idea. That list of 25 advantages is a start. No doubt you can add to it.

It seems almost incidental at this point to mention that theatre majors also learn about theatre. Most students who choose a theatre major do so because their training will prepare them for a career in the theatre, and it will. Theatre students learn to use their voices and bodies and minds and hearts to make magic on stage.
Clearly, though, they learn much, much more. Few people choose to set out on a difficult, demanding four-year course of theatre study because it will make them good candidates for employment in other fields.
But it will.
Far more than any other major, theatre is excellent training for virtually any job.
The trick is for you to recognize the advantages you have.
And to be sure you educate any prospective employer!
Make clear on your resume exactly what you have learned. Some employers may think that all an actor knows is just memorization and the ability to walk on stage without bumping into furniture, and tech people know only how to put up a flat. Tell them what else you've learned. Teach them!

joe047

Does anyone have any ideas? I'm beginning to finalize my list of schools to apply to for next year and any input on this subject would be helpful.

NotMamaRose

Ideas for what, joe047? Which drama schools to apply to? This thread is about employment prospects for kids majoring in drama. Please give us more information so people can be of real help.

joe047

I meant ideas on the original subject. I'm the OP, and was just trying to generate more interest in the thread. I'm really uncertain about what I'm going to do next year and job prospects for drama majors is playing a role in what I'm applying to certain schools for and which schools I'm applying to. I don't need advice about schools, just the questions I asked originally.

Hedda

I have a BA in Theatre from a fairly well respected state university. I'm an English teacher. There are carrers, and prospects...but you do need to feed yourself, and more than likely, your family

joe047

So did you have to double major in english to do that? Or was the drama major ok?

NotMamaRose

joe, I think that depends on what level the previous poster is teaching at. Many public high school systems would not only require a major in English, but also some kind of education in, well, education/teaching. Private secondary (high) schools can hire pretty much whoever they want, so that means they could hire a theater major to teach English if that is what the school deemed appropriate. But most public school systems (K-12) require teaching certification, which is another layer to worry about. And to teach at a college level requires more than that: often a master's degree in the particular subject, at least.

Hedda

My teaching credential is in English/Theatre, and my Master's is in Secondary English Education. With most professional occupations, you need more than just a BA or BFA...

I do have to add my personal opinion of the college experience...your BA is not job training. That is what advanced degrees are for Enjoy your college experience!

eloisel

I have worked behind the scenes in theatre for may years now. If you don't need to be on the stage, you can work regularly - even be in demand. Some ideas, costumer, lighting, stage management., set design Apply to a school like USC with a great program. If you grades are decent, you'll have a very good chance.

joe047

really? Asweome! That's just what I wanted to hear. Will I still be able to get jobs if I'm just getting a BA in theatre though, and not a bfa?