When many people think of college, the last thing they think of is theatre. If anyone announces their decision to become a theatre major, most of the time it isn't met with open arms by family and peers. Comments like 'find a real major,' 'you won't get a job in the real world' and 'stop following a hobby' are all things theatre majors face. It's a tough road between the constant disapproval of peers and family, as well as the hard work a theatre kid must put into their degree. Many people don't realize that being a theatre major isn't a "useless degree." There are plenty of jobs someone with a theatre degree can find. The student will probably have to find a second or even third job to work as well, but if they're truly passionate about theatre, then they'll do it.
1. Actor
An actor walks into a bar. He says "can I get some glow tape on this?"
2. Model
"I was rooting for you! We were all rooting for you!" - Tyra Banks
3. Director
"The only safe thing is to take a chance." - Mike Nichols
4. Producer
"I wanna be a producer..." - "The Producers"
5. Lighting Designer
What do you call an actor who pisses off the lighting designer? Dark.
6. Sound Designer
"In sound design programs now, you can literally sculpt the sound on visual graphs. Sometimes the visual programs are even more interesting than the music." - Dough Aitken
7. Props Master
Maybe you'd know where your prop was if you put it where it belongs.
8. Set Designer
Practice safe design and use a concept.
9. Casting Director
"My experience with casting children is that... The whole movie is going to rest on their shoulders, so you have to set aside time and wait for the perfect people to appear." - Wes Anderson
10. Stage Manager
Actor broke irreplaceable prop. Stage Manager broke replaceable actor.
11. Make-Up Artist
"That's a lot of money to spend on a lipstick!" It was then that I knew we could never be friends.
12. Singer
I blame Disney movies for making me believe singing fixes everything.
13. Dancer
I danced like no one was watching but someone was watching, thought I was having a seizure and called an ambulance.
14. Dialect Coach
"It's all about the voice." - Andrea Callanan
15. Teacher
"I'm always joking with the principal. I always say to Margaret, 'you've got yourself an entertainment professional for the price of a teacher! So where's my pay raise?'" - Man Pictured Above
16. Puppeteer
"Around here, the puppet is the puppeteer." - Bayside (Seeing Sound)
17. Costume Designer
"Clothes make a statement. Costumes tell a story." - Mason Cooley
18. Business Manager
"Everyone has his own theatre, in which he is the manager, actor, prompter, playwright, sceneshift, boxkeeper, doorkeeper, all in one, and audience into the bargain." - A.W. Hare
19. Editor
"Drama lies in extreme exaggeration of the feelings, an exaggeration that dislocates flat everyday reality." - Eugene Ionesco
20. Dramaturg
"I think a playwright must be his own dramaturg." - Jogn Guare
There are different paths a theatre major can go down, and more schooling after a Bachelor's Degree that's open to someone with a Theatre Degree. There is technical theatre, musical theatre and acting/directing paths to name a few. I happen to be a musical theatre major at SUNY Oswego. These 20 are just some of the many jobs someone with a Theatre Degree can get. There are tons of jobs, especially with the many different tracks a Theatre Degree can take someone. As long as there is a stage, there will be people needed to make a production work. If you believe, then you can achieve.
