Musical Theatre careers- not just performing

[cindy013]

Posted: 6/29/05 at 11:17am

Ok, I'm sorry if this has been posted before, but I searched and found related material but not what I was looking for.
I'm going to be a senior in high school and since the whole college thing has been coming up recently I have some questions for those of you who may already be finishing or out of college and employed in the theatre world. Are there A DECENT AMOUNT of jobs in musical theatre besides performing? Like, if you get a BFA musical theatre, can you seriously be considered for any other jobs besides a performer? I was thinking of majoring in music education minoring in theatre, but in reality I don't think I want to teach, I'd rather be in shows while I'm younger and then be like a casting director or something. I'm not really into the technical aspect or directing either, so I don't know of any careers related to MT that I could have after.

The thing that worries me the most is job security, because I don't want to major in MT and then if I'm unable to get a performing job be stuck unemployed. And I know people will probably say "oh, you'll get a job somewhere acting" or something, but that's not good enough. I don't think I would feel comfortable making my parents spend $$ to send me to school for a MT degree without knowing I could get a job and not have to come back home and live with them until my 40's or something
[I'm considering Ithaca, U of Michigan, and Syracuse(any info on those?) and I have a 1280 SAT and a 29 ACT]

Also, are Music Business or Arts Administration anything anyone here is involved in? And how much does it pay, what is the job security/availability, and do you find it relates to theatre and is enjoyable?

Thanks!

Updated On: 6/29/05 at 11:17 AM

[WonderBoy]

Posted: 6/29/05 at 11:26am

Not to sound rude but if you are looking for "job security" then you are definitely in the wrong business.

Perhaps you should look into majoring in a Communications degree. That will allow you to perform if you so choose but it can also open up a lot of windows of opportunity for you as well.

Posted: 6/29/05 at 4:26pm

As a mom, I am insisting that my MT kid minors in education.

[Love4Cheno]

Posted: 6/29/05 at 4:37pm

I feel I should weight in on this, because I know it's tough.

I have a lot of friends who went through the acting/MT programs at NYU, and while some are working, those looking for an office job are having a very difficult time. They do get temp jobs, but certain companies are not taking them seriously, despite how intelligent they are.

I myself majored in Anthropology and Literature, and then trained post-graduation in acting and MT. I don't think it has hurt me that my degree isn't in acting (as long as you have good training).

Job security is one thing you most likely won't have in theatre.

Can you double major?

[peach]

Posted: 6/29/05 at 4:46pm

Have you considered majoring in something more on the business side - communications, etc.? Stay involved in the theatre on your own (take your dance classes, I always say!). With that background, you can perhaps get a job as a theatre publicist, a theatre critic, a journalist, a graphic designer (someone needs to put those marketing materials togther), a teacher...

MT is a business, so there are definitely business-like jobs to be had in the theatre. Think of any job you could have in business, and apply it to a theatre setting. There are lots of options! Public relations is a big deal in theatre - think of event planning, perhaps (all those B'way community benefit concerts).

There are jobs, you just need to be persistent and creative with your approach. Note, that the arts generally pays a bit less than corporate, at least when you are starting out.

Updated On: 6/29/05 at 04:46 PM

[briarbrad]

Posted: 6/29/05 at 5:04pm

A BFA in Musical Theatre program trains students to be PERFORMERS. Obviously, students who go through these programs sometimes turn out to pursue other careers in the theatre thanks to theatre business, directing, and other non-performance classes they take. However, if you're going into this saying that you don't want to be a performer, then it would be silly to get a performance degree.

There are Arts Management programs (mostly at the grad level, though) that deal with everything in the theatre that is not related to the creative side of the theatre. You could go to a liberal arts program and possible double major in Theatre (BA) and Business...go on to get a Masters of Arts Management, or whatever. Or you could major in PR or Marketing and apply that to your on-the-side theatre hobby. Tons of ways to stay in theatre/the arts without performing.

[cindy013]

Posted: 6/29/05 at 8:52pm

Thanks everyone