Theatre Careers

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What can I do with this degree?
(Adapted from "A Philosophy for Concordia Theatre Folk" by Jim Cermak, Concordia College-Moorhead, MN)

FSU's Theatre program, grounded in an approach that seeks to provide students with a variety of experiences in and around the theatre - both in the classroom and in production settings - equips students to be better members of the workforce, more marketable, more inclined to leadership, and better citizens.

Does study in Theatre involve only those skills needed for a job in the theatre or in a theatre building?

NO.

Theatre at FSU is a program that seeks to develop life skills for majors and non-majors alike. FSU Theatre approaches work in the classroom and in our co-curricular activities as challenges that can be valuable in every vocation or avocation a person chooses: teaching, music, educational administration, preaching, management, leadership, service, law, business, church administration, marketing, mass media, public speaking, politics, as well as more traditional roles in the fine and performing arts.

How can study in Theatre Arts help you in YOUR vocation (even if you don’t know what your vocation will be)?

Often considered to be a “first” cooperative learning, service learning, or community-building project, theatre productions teach many ideas and skills and provide many opportunities for students to be life-long learners. How?

Students learn to manage creatively limited and valuable resources of time, money, people, building space, equipment, supplies, ideas, and texts. For example, majors and minors in Business, Religion, Communications, Education, Wellness, etc. have found theatre courses to be valuable learning opportunities for preparation in THEIR respective fields.

Students develop writing skills through script analysis, playwriting, dramaturgy, reviews, resumes, and journaling.

Students engage in practical application of time management, budgeting, interpersonal communication, organizational communication, design, learning and leadership styles in theatre classes like Scene Technology, Costuming, Design, Directing, Production Seminar, etc.

Students undertake “creative problem solving” within the context of theatre production.

Students experience hands-on work with tools and materials such as wood, plastic, paper, metal, foam, hot melt glue, sewing machines, PVC and metal pipe, table saw, radial arm saw, chop saw, miter box, band saw, power drills, electric tools, hammers, wrenches, electrical lighting and sound, paint, etc.

Students explore human nature, human experience, and truth in each production. They engage in exploration of intercultural understanding, personal tragedy, love, laughter, hope, sharing, fear, social acceptance, etc.

FSU graduates involved in the theatre (majors and non-majors alike) move on to great work across many disciplines.

Careers

With drive, focus, initiative, and ability, a degree in Theatre prepares you for a number of career choices and possibilities. Practical skills in the areas of performance, communication, education, management, design, and production prepare you for careers in:

Professional Theatre
Arts Administration
Non-profit Management
Design
Education
General Business
Communication
Media
Psychology and Counseling
Law
Therapy
Music
Community & Organizational Leadership

Not everyone wants to go on stage - and that's okay. Theatre is an excellent major for developing job-related skills, and employers seeks skills you develop in theatre classes and productions.

20 Special Advantages the Theatre Major Has (and may not even know!)

Here is a list of twenty skills, traits, and qualities of personality that are well-developed in individuals who complete four years of undergraduate theatre study. Consider how many of these are unique to theatre majors -- and that you have far more advantages than majors in most other disciplines.

Oral communication skills
Creative problem solving abilities
More than a "get it done" mentality
Motivation and commitment
Initiative
Willingness to work cooperatively but independently
Time-budgeting skills and respect for deadlines
Ability to learn quickly - AND correctly
Respect for colleagues and authority
Adaptability and flexibility
Ability to work under pressure
A healthy self-image
Acceptance of disappointment - and a built-in ability to bounce back
Self-discipline
A goal-oriented approach to work
Concentration and focus
Dedication
Leadership skills
Self-confidence
Creative engagement with the world

What about a JOB?

Contrary to the popular misconception, theatre is a highly valued degree that provides skills for a wide-variety of employment, both in the field and in other fields.

Theatre Job Areas

Direction
Design
Technical Theatre & Production
Management
Acting
Education & Instruction
Theatre History
Theatre/Film Criticism
Writing

Related Job Areas

Talent Representation (i.e., agents)
Labor Relations
Producing
Advertising/Marketing
Radio/TV
Voice Work
Training & Development
Public Affairs
Box Office
Public Relations

Sample Careers in Theatre

Actor
Stand-in (film work)
Theme Park Entertainment
Comedian/Impersonator
Stunt Coordinator
Technical Director
Scenic Painter
Costumer/Draper/Dresser
Sound Board Operator
Properties Coordinator
Stage Hand
Light Board Operator
Show Control Operator
Playwright
Theatre/Film Critic
Broadcast journalist
Entertainment writer/editor
Screenwriter
Comedy writer
Artistic Director
Company Manager
Theatre Manager
Box Office Manager
House Manager
Production Manager
Event Coordinator
Acting/Script Coach
Arts & Education Coordinator
Theatre Historian
High School Drama Teacher
College Professor (advanced degree required)
Author
Scenic Designer
Lighting Designer
Sound Designer
Costume Designer
Themed Entertainment Designer
Makeup Designer
Director
Casting Director
Assistant Director
Musical Director
Stage Manager
Choreographer

Sample jobs in related areas

Radio/TV announcer
Tourism Director/Guide
Ticket Sales Coordination
Media Salesperson
Art Director
Mediator
Sales Representative
Advertising/Marketing
Public Relations Specialist
Public Affairs Officer
Student Affairs Specialist
Recruiter
Customer Service Manager
Development Officer
Special Events Coordinator
Wedding Planner
Admissions Director
Labor Relations
Human Resource Specialist
Training & Development Specialist
Fashion Designer
Architecture (advanced training required)
Engineer (advanced training required)
Lawyer
Counselor/Therapist
Politician

Department of Performing and Fine Arts