Theatre Arts

Major/Career Profile

General Description

The theatre arts career field is comprised of those professions involved in performance, direction, design, and management. Performance opportunities include positions on stage and in television and movies. Community theatre, recreational theatre, educational theatre, theme parks, and children's theatre are also places of employment. Although theatre careers are found throughout the country, the largest concentration of performing arts are in the metropolitan areas.

Patience, talent, commitment and the ability to work long and varied hours are qualities necessary for theatre careers. Theatre professionals often work intermittently and wait long periods for work.

Because of stiff competition for professional positions, formal training in the theatre is increasingly necessary. Training is available through private dramatic arts schools located in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and in colleges and universities throughout the country. Theatre arts professionals who wish to teach at the university and college level need to obtain a master's or doctorate.

Career Options

Graduates with this major have found work as: Actor, Actress, Dramatic Coach, Teacher, Director, Narrator, Costuming Supervisor, Supervisor - Prop Maker, Stage Director, Playwright, Recreation Leader, Recreation Therapist, Dramaturge, Critic, Sound and Special Effects Specialist, Lighting Technician, Program Assistant, Performing Arts Administrator, Talent Agent, Press Agent, Make-up Artist, Casting Director, and Model. Some of these careers require additional education or experience. Various entry-level trainee positions in business and industry are available for graduates regardless of academic discipline.

Typical Employers

Colleges and universities, community playhouses, drama conservatories, motion picture studios, private and public schools, radio and television, radio/TV industry, recreation departments and theatrical production companies.

Salary and Employment Outlook

The field of theatre as a whole is expected to grow faster than the average of all occupations according to the most recent projections of the Department of Labor. Future possibilities for growth lie in the establishment of year-round professional acting companies. Summer and winter stock companies, outdoor and regional theatre, repertory companies and dinner theatres presently represent increasing employment opportunities for theatre professionals. Rising foreign demand for American productions should also stimulate the demand for actors and other production personnel. Additionally, the fields of teaching and recreation will continue to need graduates of theatre arts programs. The Actors' Equity Association, the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists are unions which have collective bargaining agreements on minimum salaries and other work related issues.

Salaries will vary by size and type of employer, geographic location, course work and related experience. Consult the Career Development Center for current local and national salary information.

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