I'm a communication major with a concentration in theatre. I've loved theatre for almost my entire life; the second I saw my first Broadway production, I knew I was hooked, and I even turned to my parents and said that I wanted to act in productions. My parents immediately smiled at each other, and eventually signed me up for community theatre. From that point in time to now, I've been in over 50 productions, whether it be a straight play or a musical. I've had a passion for theatre for over half of my life, and I am so thrilled to currently be concentrating in it. I am a bit disheartened, however, when some people tell me all I will do is wait tables, or that I will at least do that for a while. I get angry when they say I should rethink my major, especially since I have such a passion for this field. I won't be changing my major at all, and here is a list of reasons why.
1. Doing so would put me behind in whatever major I choose.
Now that I'm a junior, it really wouldn't make sense for me to switch majors. I would be so behind in whatever my new major is that it may require I stay at college for an extra semester or two, and have to take introduction courses as an upperclassman. I'm already almost done with my concentration, so I don't think the pressure of a new major would be right for me, especially considering I've already done so much for my current one.
2. As long as I get a job out of college, I'm happy.
People have said I may not get a job in theatre directly out of college...and they may be right. However, it doesn't matter to me what job I get; for me, it's all about experience. Sometimes, you need to do jobs that have nothing to do with your current field. If you get a job out of your current field, it is still experience and you should be happy they chose you. Theatre is really competitive, and even if I don't get a job in theatre directly out of college, I am going to be thrilled with whatever job I do get, even if it is out of the field I'm studying in.
3. Theatre is my passion.
I have loved theatre since I was five years old. I have a passion for it and nothing will ever change that. I feel like if you major in something that you have a passion in, it'll make all the difference. I'm not going to change my major to something that I don't have a passion for because then I will be really bored and I may not enjoy the material that I am learning about. If you major in something that you're passionate about, you will want to go to class to learn anything you can about the subject and you'll probably do better than some kids who don't have a passion for the field you're studying in. Also, if you major in something that you're passionate about, you'll enjoy learning, as well. You'll want to go to class and you'll want to learn new things. I learn new things about theatre every single week, and I'm proud of that. I love theatre and my passion for it is huge. I have learned how to stage manage, and do props, and I am currently learning how to design scenery three things I never thought I could do. Thanks to the theatre program at my school, I've done them and I am so proud of myself for doing them.
So, please don't ask me to rethink my major, because I am very passionate with the one I have. I'm thrilled being a theatre concentration, and I am thrilled for what my future holds, regardless of whether I get a job immediately in this field.
