I haven’t posted here in FOREVER since I was applying for colleges myself, but I now work in performing arts college admissions so I’ve been lurking on CC again for a little while. I wanted to chime in here since I firmly believe in the value of a theatre degree.
I graduated from a school mentioned often on here with a BFA in MT in 2013. During college, I was a student ambassador in my school’s admissions office. Towards the end of school, I think I started to realize that my path might look a little different than others. (I’m a 6 foot tall character actress/leading lady so I’m well aware that my time may come later…). Priorities and expectations shifted, and I developed an interested for teaching. After I graduated, I was lucky enough to immediately start touring with children’s theatre where I taught, directed and performed nationally and internationally for 15 months. It was a sweet gig, but 15 months of traveling to a different city each week definitely can wear on a person. After that, I moved to Chicago where I worked several different gigs-- mostly teaching, some performing, and some arts administration. I was the office manager of a children’s theatre for some time as well. All of these gigs were part time, and at one point I was working 6 jobs at once. I lasted this way for about 3 years until I burnt out and realized that I needed/wanted a stable job with insurance and a steady paycheck.
I job searched for a while and I ironically ended up back at my alma mater as the admissions counselor for the BFA theatre programs working in the same office I worked in when I was a student, and I couldn’t be happier where I have landed. Truly. Plus, I sing in a wonderful choir, I see a lot of theatre, and I audition occasionally when it’s something I’m interested in. It’s definitely liberating to not have to rely on performing for my income, though.
When I started college at 18, did I envision my life to turn out this way? No. Do I have any regrets? Also no. Everyone has their own path, and luckily a degree in theatre is so incredibly versatile that it will allow you not only to find your path, but to successfully follow it too. I wouldn’t trade majoring in musical theatre at a conservatory for the world. I find it’s served me well, and it will continue to serve me well in whatever comes next.
Bottom line: It will all work out. 