Broadway stars who did NOT go to College...- Page 4

[feinstein9]

Posted: 8/29/08 at 10:44pm

You don't have to go to college to get training. I went to college for three years and decided organized education wasn't for me-- I didn't want to be part of a machine, someone else's idea of how I should be spending my time. Luckily, I live in NY, which means I have access to some of the best teachers in the country. I don't need a BFA to be a good performer, I need training. They're not necessarily mutually exclusive.

[Holbee]

Posted: 8/30/08 at 4:05am

Well, lately, it appears if you go to the University of Michigan for musical theatre you're pretty much guaranteed a career on the musical stage..

[KrissySim]

Posted: 8/30/08 at 4:23am

Wanna Be... I know professors who are making upwards of $125K in theatre and in film, that was where I got that figure. I will not mention where or who, because it is really not my business to report to you.

Here are some links for general info:

http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/stories/2008/04/28/story4.html

http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/strategic/nav03.cfm?nav03=17157&nav02=17146&nav01=17123



on salaries Updated On: 8/30/08 at 04:23 AM

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 8/30/08 at 12:02pm

Doesn't it depend on whether they're tenured or not?

[KrissySim]

Posted: 8/30/08 at 12:40pm

SporkGoddess, maybe it does. I think it also depends on who they are, their educational background and professional background, and on the institution and how much they can afford to pay.

Footyball coaches at some Universities get paid millions. Maybe I should go into football instead. (Women's tackle football.)

[AKDPerformer]

Posted: 8/30/08 at 9:24pm

feinstein 9-You took the words right out of my mouth!!!! I'm doing the same exact thing as you! So well put! :)

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 8/30/08 at 10:16pm

"Wanna Be... I know professors who are making upwards of $125K in theatre and in film, that was where I got that figure. I will not mention where or who, because it is really not my business to report to you."

I think his main objection to your post was how easy you made it sound... usually a high paid professorship... which would most likely be very difficult to actually get hired... requires you to be a working professional in addition to your teaching... researching and publishing analysis and criticism... etc. It isn't something you are guaranteed just because you have a degree... you would need a terminal degree in your field and have a body of work to represent your capabilities. In some ways... a high paying professorship... and I'm speaking of one that pays more than fifty thousand a year... is a harder gig to get than working on Broadway. I exagerate... but only just.


kmc

[feinstein9]

Posted: 8/31/08 at 12:45am

thanks AKD! go us, and best of luck to you.

[KrissySim]

Posted: 8/31/08 at 1:50am

KMC, (or KJisgroovy) Yes, I agree with your statement. To get that kind of position (high-paid professorship) requires a dedication to your work and a certain mindset from the get-go. I have, however, met people who have accomplished that by their early 30's. That approach to the art and craft can potentially provide security (once you get the tenure) that the commercial theatre world seldom provides.

It may be hard (read "a lot of hard work") to get such a position, but you can almost guarantee that you will not get it if you don' have an advanced education. There are exceptions, for example, if you have "star power" that can draw money for the institution, but first you would need to be a star.

This brings up a question, I'll bet there are more professorships than there are leading roles or directorial positions on Broadway at any given time. Perhaps?

My point restated: It's not stupid to have the education. Quite the contrary.