To many who are asked what their major is they have to only say "Oh. I am an engineering major." or "Oh. I am an education major." and this list can go on and on. If you are an art major in any field and you answer "Oh. I am a theatre major." or "Oh. I am a music major." you get drilled on what you are going to do with your life after you graduate. This may sound trivial to some people, but quite honestly for many people follow their life pursuit of art and creativity it is very degrading.
Recently Wells Fargo put out an advertisement and I have been meaning to make an article on it for some time now. Basically, the ad would have a picture of a young person working in the lab or working on an equation then over the picture it would have something along the lines of "A ballerina yesterday. An engineer today." Of course, a lot of people in the artistic community were up in arms over this and rightfully so, but it shows the flaw in our society of how we view the arts in general. There is a stigma that if a child or young adult takes an interest in an art is that is a hobby and a hobby is something to do on the side of an actual career. I asked some of my friends who work within the arts or are studying a variety of arts degrees to get their experiences with how people react when they are asked about their career path or studies.
Not surprising that many people I asked came to me with these questions or comments they had received such as "Oh that must be easy! School must be a breeze." "What is your backup plan if it doesn't work out?" "That's interesting..." "Oh! So you are an actor!" "So must want to go to California or New York when you graduate, right?" and lastly sometimes it is followed by complete silence. This isn't even all the responses I have received from people within the arts program at UCF and beyond. The arts are considered unstable, unprofitable, and overall an impossible career path to be successful in. Yet everyone watches television, Netflix, Hulu, Youtube, movies and other outlets of entertainment that are all included in the creative outlet. This notion of the starving artist is the common idea of what the arts are. We don't always need backup plans and we will all amount to something some day.
Have you ever heard of Hamilton? You know the overly successful play written by Lin-Manuel Miranda? Oh yeah, he is an artist. Crazy right? Someone super successful within the arts. Many people take their talents to a community, regional or professional theaters. Just because they aren't on Broadway or an A-lister in Hollywood. It is about following your heart and just settling for the easiest path isn't for everyone. This isn't to discredit the sciences or any other career it is just to point out the stigma given to those who choose a different path rather than choose based on how much money one can make. Money doesn't always equal happiness. Following your passion is important and if you end your day feeling fulfilled then it is worth it.
Sincerely, a film and theatre student at UCF.
