I REALLY need a little advice!

[cudramacat]

Posted: 7/20/05 at 11:44pm

ok, so I'm a theater major. I REALLY want to get into musical theater and i bleieve I want to minor in music. I was thinking of doing 2 majors w/ sociology but I just can't picture myself working in anything else other than theater even if I'm not a performer. any suggestions? Would a business minor be good? I find business sorta interesting. should I double major and have a minor or have a double minor? I know theatre isn't a job security field and I don't care, but I'm just a little confused! Thanks!

[ashley0139]

Posted: 7/21/05 at 7:49am

Hey I've been having the same dilemmas. As much as I hope and pray (and work hard) that theatre will work out, and can't see myself doing anything else, you also have to be practical. This is the real world. To be able to get to auditions, have headshots, dance lessons, voice lessons, etc. you have to have money. And if your not working in the business at the moment, you gotta have something else to fall back on. If nothing else just to get you back in. So I'm definetly going to at least major/minor or double major with something I can use. It's gonna suck. Theatre is an intense major almost anywhere and it takes up a lot of time, but it's gotta be done, for a lot of people. I would suggest doing it. Now, as to what to do for your other major, that is totally your thing. Something practical, something you can use. Something like business, education, something. Sorry I can't be of more help on that part but it's more individualized. Well, I hope this helped you a little bit.

[cudramacat]

Posted: 7/21/05 at 10:21am

Thanks you! I think that to be in theater even w/out performing something business related might be best (for me anyway) b/c I'm just not sure that a double major and minor is possible if I don't ALWAYS want to be stressed.

[o_kheem_o]

Posted: 7/21/05 at 12:12pm

i know it was mentioned that double majoring in theatre would be a difficult thing... is it the same for Musical theatre? worse?... i'm going to be a college freshman.. i'm thinking about double majoring too.. and trying to find something that i'm interested in and has some similar classes with theatre as to now stress myself out too much. so if i were to double major.. which schools would be good for that? theatre and also well-rounded in other degrees?

[mixbabycherub]

Posted: 7/21/05 at 12:45pm

I think just having a love for theater is enough to want to study it and be a part of the process in some way is wonderful. Producing broadway shows is always an interesting lifestyle or maybe even being like a casting director. You don't necessarily have to perform but you can atleast have HUGE part in the process of creating it.

[ashley0139]

Posted: 7/21/05 at 12:58pm

o_kheem_o, any university will have other majors that you can look into. The only type of place that wouldn't is a conservatory. I.e. Boston Conservatory, Cincinnati Conservatory, etc. They won't have other majors for you. Anywhere like FSU, NYU, Carnegie Mellon, etc will have other majors.

[briarbrad]

Posted: 7/21/05 at 1:23pm

Yes, Carnegie Mellon WILL have other majors - but if you're a student in the School of Drama, you won't be able to pursue a double major (unless you apply to a special Bachelor of Humanities and Arts, which is a dual-degree program, and you wouldn't get the full training in the Drama School.)

[o_kheem_o]

Posted: 7/21/05 at 4:08pm

thank you ashley, brad, DD! all have given me a lot to think over... wow... but.. more Q's from me.. =).. following Dd's suggestions abt internships in NYC.. are there other great schools in NYC offering good musical theatre programs other than NYU and also a good school overall in the case of a double major or minor?... thanks again guys...

[Aigoo]

Posted: 7/21/05 at 4:10pm

Ithaca and Syracuse both have good musical theatre programs you might want to look into. But don't take my word for it. Choose a school that appeals to you.

[ashley0139]

Posted: 7/21/05 at 5:56pm

Ithaca and Syracuse ARE both good, but neither are in the city. Ithaca is upstate (I believe) and Syracuse isn't in the city either.

[Aigoo]

Posted: 7/21/05 at 6:43pm

Ah, sorry. My mistake. I was thinking in-state.

[o_kheem_o]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 8:47am

you guys are QUiCK. i love this site btw... ^^ .. what about Pace U... i know that's in the city.. is its theatre or musical theatre pretty good.. or do they have it at all? i know academically it's not that difficult to get into.. or what about st. john's... i know that's not in the city but near... thanks~

[Aigoo]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 11:14am

Ah, another great theatre school in New York is Juilliard. It doesn't offer MT, but it offers a BFA in Acting and a BM in Vocal Performance.

I can't tell you much about PACE. I've heard of it, and anyone who GOES there will tell you it's a good school. I remember checking it out one point in time, but it never really interested me too much. I've never even HEARD of St. John's.

Updated On: 7/22/05 at 11:14 AM

[cudramacat]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 2:18pm

would some more people please answer my question? I appreciate the advice so far but any more input on what I might do would be wonderful.

[Aigoo]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 3:21pm

Well, if you want to be involved in theatre, but you aren't very confident in your performing abilities, you could always try to direct, produce, do PR, create websites for certain performers, photography, casting director. There are TONS. You can work backstage. To me, you aren't being very clear on what you want to do. If you want a business minor, then that'll get you just a universal job.

Something you must understand is that there is NO job security ANYWHERE. All fields are unpredictable. Theatre just happens to be EXTREMELY unpredictable. Job security does not exist in any field, but security varies by degree.

[cudramacat]

Posted: 7/22/05 at 11:23pm

I don't mean to be unclear. I just want suggestions about a possible minor and/or double major. All of this advice has been great! Sorry if the first message was confusing. Anyway, thanks for all the advice. I REALLY want to perfrom and plan on pursuing that first and foremost, but if that doesn't work out I figured something practical to back that up might be a good idea. thanks again!

[Aigoo]

Posted: 7/23/05 at 2:20am

If you intend on really performing, you wouldn't really care if it "wouldn't work out" or not, because you'd be doing something you love and cherish for the rest of your LIFE. If you get paid for doing it, more power to you! You happen to be one of the select few who is able to live off of the money they make from doing something they enjoy.

Here's my philosophy:

Go and audition for those "big-name" colleges. Yes, you've heard of them. First, it's up to you which curriculum appeals to you the most and which school seems to offer you the most benefits. Then go and audition your little heart out. These adjudicators have a GREAT sense in being able to pick out potential and marketability. If you have it, great. Go out and sell it. If you don't, then...time for plan B: which you can decide on what to do.

[cudramacat]

Posted: 7/23/05 at 12:06pm

Performing is what I love and I don't care if it doesn't make me tons of money but I also want to be practical just b/c I want to be able to pay the bills. Anyway,to be honest, it's my mom who is more concerned than I am. She's pretty supportive but worried which I understand. I do want to be practical but performance is what I want to pursue. Anyway, I know I have to do what makes ME happy and that's what I intend on doing but I'm just trying to do a little research so I can honestly say that performance is what I want and I've looked into other options and decided that theater is really the best choice for me.

[Aigoo]

Posted: 7/23/05 at 12:30pm

This is a gamble you must take. Remember that NO job has complete job security. Performing just doesn't have as much of it as other fields. If you truly believe that performing is what you want (make sure your intentions are in the right place) and you're talented enough to make a living, then go for it. You wanted a "back up" plan, but if you want this, you need to work EXTREMELY hard to make yourself known to those people who will land you that role. If you truly believe that performing is what you want, you won't WANT a back-up plan, because nothing else will settle for your passion. Have the confidence in yourself that you will succeed. You already have the part. You already have the role. You just can't LOSE it to other people.

You and your mom both have to realize that performing is not a glamorous life. You want to be able to be practical and pay the bills. You can, by getting a temp job that all those have heard about: waiting at restaurants, cleaning houses, things like that. You must make your mom understand that everything will work out. You have to realize that too. Even though you may not go far, you will still be doing what you love, and chances are, you probably won't end up that badly.

Updated On: 7/23/05 at 12:30 PM

[ashley0139]

Posted: 7/23/05 at 1:39pm

Performing may be the only thing that makes you happy. I completely understand that feeling. But, Aigoo, just because you don't WANT to be practical, doesn't mean you shouldn't be. That is the meaning of practical. While cleaning house, waiting tables, etc. may pay the bills and the bare minimum. What money are you going to have to get headshots done, take voice and acting and dance lessons, etc. while waiting for a break. You may not care how crappy you live, but there are still necessities for even going and auditioning in the theatre. Transportation, even. While waiting to get a job in the theatre, it is very possible that you will need another real job until them.

[Aigoo]

Posted: 7/23/05 at 3:15pm

One thing that would really help with the costy things (especially rent-wise) is living with a roommate. And as for any other costs: headshots, classes, etc...you'll have to work around that. Prioritize them, and know when you can avoid paying for them and when you can't. But believe that everything will work out. Because it will. I'm not saying it'll work out even if you don't do anything. It'll work out if you work hard enough. And things will become clear as time progresses.

[cudramacat]

Posted: 7/23/05 at 11:35pm

I know performing is not glamorous and so does my mom. That's not why I'm in this. I know that working in Theater is what will settle my passion and I don't really WANT to do anything else and I plan on pursuing it whole heartedly but IF it doesn't work out for me, I also don't want to wait tables for the rest of my life. I do plan on having a roommate to cut costs and I would honestly be fine if performing payed even half of my bills. It's just what I want to do. Even if I don't "make it" I figure I will just do community theater b/c I know I can't go the rest of my life w/ out performing. To me being practical doesn't mean giving up my dream at all. I think the best advice I've gotten so far is just to follow my heart and my heart is def. in the performing arts!

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 7/24/05 at 10:34am

Sorry! Clicked the wrong link, I thought I was on off-topic! Forgive me.

Updated On: 7/24/05 at 10:34 AM

[o_kheem_o]

Posted: 7/25/05 at 10:21am

*heh heh heh....*

i just thought it was funny, cudramacat, co'z i totally understand what you're trying to ask and get a response to... since.. your first msg.. haha.. and i've watched the many well-intentioned ppL give you info that have greatly helped you and me... but not answered your Q. ^^ .. i'm in the same boat as you.. and this is yet another msg to you that's not answering your Q... haha but i just wanted to second your plea for advice co'z my parents are much less supportive, "be-a-doctor" nazis.. Ü ... altho' thank you aigoo and ashley and all for the advice.. i don't mind getting more side help since i'm learning a lot from these MsgBoards.... but.. poor cudramacat ....

[ashley0139]

Posted: 7/25/05 at 12:28pm

Are you asking what other major you should do? Because that is a personal thing.