Careers

Performing

Employers

• Community theaters
• Regional theaters
• Commercial theaters
• Summer stock theaters
• Dinner theaters
• Children's theaters
• University theater groups
• Touring companies
• Industrial shows
• Show groups
• Amusement and theme parks
• Television/film studios
• Radio stations

Strategies

• Participate in acting workshops, courses, and seminars to get advice and experience and to make contacts with others in the field.
• Join unions or actors' guilds to stay abreast of opportunities and developments in the field. Get as much acting experience as possible.
• Perform in school productions, community theater, summer stock, etc. to hone acting skills.
• Prepare a professional resume that lists your acting experience.
• Have your resume attached to or printed on the reverse side of an 8" x 10" photograph of yourself.
• Be prepared to make the rounds.
• Distribute your resume to numerous agencies and offices.
• Follow up with several personal visits.
• Be aware that more opportunities exist in large cities such as New York and Los Angeles.
• Learn about the entertainment industry as a whole: Take courses on entertainment law, business, management, etc.
• An extensive network of contacts is essential.
• Get to know people working in your field and related areas.

Directing

• Direction
• Technical Direction
• Casting
• Stage Management
• Support Staff

Employers

• Theaters
• Television/film studios

Strategies

• Participate in the Director's Guild Training Program.
• Develop leadership skillsthrough participation in campus and community organizations.
• Experience with fund-raising is important.
• Volunteer to do this with local theaters and arts councils.
• Learn what types of permits and insurance are needed to film or perform in certain areas.
• Volunteer with directors in local theaters to become familiar with the environment.
• Serving as an assistant is a great way to get started in this area.
• Gain directing experience by participating in college productions.

Behind the Scenes

• Set Design/Construction
• Property Design
• Lighting Design
• Sound Design
• Costume Design
• Camera Operation
• Hair/Make-up
• Special Effects
• Wardrobe
• Prop Management
• Broadcast Technology
• Riggers
• Electricians

Employers

• Community theaters
• Regional theaters
• Commercial theaters
• Summer stock theaters
• Dinner theaters
• Children's theaters
• University theater groups
• Touring companies
• Industrial shows
• Show groups
• Amusement and theme parks
• Television/film studios
• Radio stations

Strategies

• Learn to work well in a team.
• Develop a sense of artistry and creativity.
• Become involved in the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).
• This organization can give you information about becoming an apprentice as well as help you make valuable contacts.
• Get experience. Offer your services to school and local theaters.
• Read industry magazines and books to learn about your area.
• For sound design: Become familiar with computer technology as digital sound effects and electronic music replace traditional means of sound design.
• For costume design: Supplement your program with courses in art history and fashion design.
• Learn about different eras in history in order to recreate on stage.
• A basic knowledge of history and architecture is helpful.

Writing

• Playwriting
• Screenwriting
• Journalism
• Publicity (Press Agents)
• Research

Employers

• Theaters
• Television/film studios
• Television stations
• Magazines
• Newspapers
• Freelance

Strategies

• Review plays, movies, and TV shows for school or local newspaper.
• Theatricalpress agents publicize and promote theatrical productions.
• They write press releases, arrange press conferences, and other media events.
• Take courses in related areas such as public relations, advertising, and business.
• Reporters spend time on the set absorbing everything.
• They interview actors as well as craftspeople.
• Get as much writing experience as possible: Write for the college newspaper, enter play writing contests, etc.
• See many different productions and shows.
• Read variety of scripts to see how scripts are developed.
• Researchers gather information for movie writers.
• They may also track down photographs or historical documents to make the film more authentic.

Business

• Producing
• Management
• Agents
• Marketing
• Fundraising and Development
• Coordination of Volunteers
• Administration of Arts Programs
• Box Office Sales

Employers

• Theaters
• Arts councils
• Television/film studios

Strategies

• Secretarial/clerical positions in theaters and studios are often stepping-stones to other positions and a good way to make contacts.
• Take business courses to supplement your program.
• Obtain a working knowledge of computers.
• Gain a thorough understanding of theater.
• Develop skills in leadership, negotiation, budgeting, and fundraising.

Education

• Teaching

Employers

• Public and private schools
• Colleges and universities
• Performing arts centers

Strategies

• Obtain certification for the state in which you wish to teach.
• Obtain dual certification for more teaching opportunities.
• Get experience in various areas of theater, as well as working with young people.
• Obtain a graduate degree to teach on the college level.
• Develop one or two areas of expertise within theater arts.

Other Professions

• Actor/Actress
• Advertising/Marketing Manager
• Booking Agent-Resort Industries
• Campaign Director
• Children’s Theatre Director
• Community Affairs Liaison
• Convention Director
• Costume Designer
• Costume Shop Supervisor
• Development Officer
• Director, Tourism
• Events Coordinator
• Fashion Merchandiser
• Fund Raiser
• Journalist
• Lighting Designer
• Minister/Clergy
• Museum Manager
• Non-Profit Arts Manager
• Professor/Theatre
• Props Designer
• Puppeteer
• Recreational Supervisor
• Sales Rep-Theatre Industry
• Scriptwriter
• Set Designer
• Set Designer Specialist
• Sound Designer
• Stage Manager
• Stunt Performer
• Teacher (HS/College)
• Technical Theatre Manager
• Theatre Company Manager
• Theatre Educator
• Theatre Manager
• Travel Guide
• Voiceover Artist
• Universal Information Specialist