Musical Theatre Major Question

ohernjr8 · 06-12-2007, 10:36 PM

Hey Guys,
I'm new to the site-just thought id say that. Okay here's my problem. I've always had the passion to be a performer. I have always wanted to do musical theatre as my career. But then, I heard actors i know saying "You dont always get a check." So i figured I dont want to do that then.

So then I went to my second passion. Elementarty Education. Recently I took a trip to NYC and saw Hairspray,The Lion King,Wicked and The Color Purple. And said "Thats what I'm going to do with my life" And my spark to perform was re-lit. I mean I've done school and community theatre but nothing else. I've always thought-be a teacher-you'll be guaranteed to be paid.

So if you cant tell-I'm a little confused what to do with my life. Theatre is my true passion but it isnt always so promising. Any advice?

Hollylove · 06-12-2007, 11:09 PM

personally, i'm planning on pursuing theatre as a career, but if it doesn't work out in the long run i want to teach high school drama. then i'm still involved in the world of theatre...and i know drama teachers around here do outside work, too.

Jinx2006 · 06-13-2007, 12:40 AM

I once read in a book that if there is ANYTHING else in the world you could possible enjoy doing, do it. It's a tough business and it often comes with little or know rewards. It's true that there is no security, you never know if you'll be paid or how much you will make. If the possibility of being financially insecure is frightening, go with Education. The world needs more educators too, and you can find ways to endulge in your passions while still holding a career in a field that you find rewarding. Consider community theatres, you can still participate them after high school, and why not? Also, I have a friend who is double majoring in Theatre Ed and Elementary Ed so that she can integrate them together and start programs in elementary schools. There are lots of options out in the world, and if any of them seem like they could be remotely interesting and rewarding, pick that over theatre. But don't let go of those things you love, they're still there, you just have to be more creative about ways to involve them in your life.

Best of luck on your decision.

All4FSU · 06-13-2007, 10:08 AM

ohernjr8,
I talk to many students who feel as you do and are conflicted over very similar issues. As we all know, life is unpredictable and there is no way to know what your post-college future holds. The most important thing about a college degree is that you complete it. In my experience, students who love what they are learning and doing in college have a more positive experience and are more likely to successfully earn a degree. For many of us, our educational career did not end with the bachelor's degree and we are on a path of lifelong learning. This is likely not the last educational decision you will make in your life - it's probably one of the first. My advice would be to focus on how you want to spend the next four years and what program of study will inspire you to complete a degree so you can move onto the next phase of your life - whatever that may hold.

Best of luck,
Michele

ohernjr8 · 06-13-2007, 11:17 AM

Thats the thing. I love the world of education but I can quickly see my self getting bored with it. (No offense to the teachers out there.) but I don't see myself ever getting tired of the world of theatre. Musical Theatre at that.

freedom_fri911 · 07-18-2007, 07:14 PM

A lot of colleges provide a 5 year MFA program in education. For instance, CNU, a college nearby in Newport News, Virginia, has that. That means you can major in Musical Theater (at CNU it's an Acting Major w/ Musical Theater concentration) then at the end of your Junior year you apply for the 5 year "fast-track) program. You take 3 extra semesters of classes and you land yourself an MFA in Theater Education, a teaching certificate and a BA in Acting w/ Musical Theater concentration. You'd be certified to teach English and theater from K-12

I believe your minor also counts towards your teaching certificate. I was going to go to CNU and concentrate in musical theater and minor in German, so that when I left the CNU "fast-track" program I would have a teaching certificate in English, Theater AND German.

You can't go wrong with that program

JayMetz · 07-18-2007, 08:34 PM

You said it yourself: "Thats what I'm going to do with my life."

'Nuff said.

*KatMT* · 07-18-2007, 09:04 PM

The advice about a double major, or a fast track to an MFA is a great suggestion... I just want to offer another route to consider.

You can choose to study musical theatre in college, move to NYC, give it a go until you no longer want to, and then go to graduate school for education (or whatever... I have a friend who graduated with a BFA in MT, worked on Broadway as a performer for a few years, and is now a doctor [after many more years of school, of course

]) .

As far as public school teaching... Some states even have alternate routes to certification for people who have been out of school working in a profession other than teaching and now want to teach.

Many private schools do not require you to be certified. I recieved a BFA in MT, worked out of NY for a whileas a performer, decided that I no longer wanted to perform, ran the theatre program at the private high school for a few years before going to graduate school to get my MFA. I now teach in a college theatre program.

If you had asked me when I was 18 if I wanted to teach I would have said "NO WAY"... Now, when people ask me if I miss performing I say "NO WAY"... I like teaching and directing much, much more than I ever liked performing. But, I use all of my performance training, and professional experience as a performer in my work as a director and teacher.

Life is a journey. You do not come out of college "finished"... it's more like you come out ready to start... figure out what you think you want to do four years from now, and make a college choice that will help you get there. You may discover in college that you have passions and interests that you never knew you had that might open up the door to possible careers of which you never thought.

Good Luck!

soozievt · 07-18-2007, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Life is a journey. You do not come out of college "finished"... it's more like you come out ready to start... figure out what you think you want to do four years from now, and make a college choice that will help you get there. You may discover in college that you have passions and interests that you never knew you had that might open up the door to possible careers of which you never thought.

That is a terrific statement and worded so well and it is so true!!

I'll also add that even if you major in something in college, it doesn't mean that is the only thing you are equipped to do for life. Zillions of people work in careers that are not the same as what they once majored in during college.

ohernjr8 · 07-22-2007, 05:55 PM

Does Florida State do the 5 year thing...i know alot of schools in the gainesville area have teachers that have masters in musical theatre with no education background as their teachers.

All4FSU · 07-23-2007, 12:41 PM

ohern,
I'm not certain what you mean by "the five year thing." If it's a curriculum similar to the one described above where the student stays an extra year and achieves a Graduate degree, then here in the School of Theatre we do not.
Our Bachelor's degree programs are four year programs. Our Master's degree programs are two to three year programs. A student may apply to begin a graduate program once the Bachelor's degree has been completed.