AREAS
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 experienceand to make contacts with others in the field. Join unions or actors' guildsto stay abreast of opportunities and developments in the field. Get as muchacting experience as possible. Perform in school productions, community theater,summer stock, etc. to hone acting skills. Prepare a professional resume thatlists your acting experience. Have your resume attached to or printed on thereverse side of an 8" x 10" photograph of yourself. Be prepared tomake the rounds. Distribute your resume to numerous agencies and offices. Followup with several personal visits. Be aware that more opportunities exist in largecities such as New York and Los Angeles. Learn about the entertainment industryas a whole: Take courses on entertainment law, business, management, etc. Anextensive network of contacts is essential. Get to know people working in yourfield and related areas.
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 withfund-raising is important. Volunteer to do this with local theaters and artscouncils. Learn what types of permits and insurance are needed to film or performin certain areas. Volunteer with directors in local theaters to become familiarwith the environment. Serving as an assistant is a great way to get startedin this area. Gain directing experience by participating in college productions.
AREAS
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. Becomeinvolved in the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).This organization can give you information about becoming an apprentice as wellas help you make valuable contacts. Get experience. Offer your services to schooland local theaters. Read industry magazines and books to learn about your area.For sound design: Become familiar with computer technology as digital soundeffects and electronic music replace traditional means of sound design. Forcostume design: Supplement your program with courses in art history and fashiondesign. Learn about different eras in history in order to recreate on stage.A basic knowledge of history and architecture is helpful.
AREAS
WRITING
Scriptwriting
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 pressreleases, arrange press conferences, and other media events. Take courses inrelated areas such as public relations, advertising, and business. Reportersspend time on the set absorbing everything. They interview actors as well ascraftspeople. Get as much writing experience as possible: Write for the collegenewspaper, enter playwriting contests, etc. See many different productions andshows. Read variety of scripts to see how scripts are developed. Researchersgather information for movie writers. They may also track down photographs orhistorical documents to make the film more authentic.
AREAS
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-stonesto other positions and a good way to make contacts. Take business courses tosupplement your program. Obtain a working knowledge of computers. Gain a thoroughunderstanding of theater. Develop skills in leadership, negotiation, budgeting,and fundraising.
AREAS
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 certificationfor more teaching opportunities. Get experience in various areas of theater,as well as working with young people. Obtain a graduate degree to teach on thecollege level. Develop one or two areas of expertise within theater arts.
GENERAL STRATEGIES
Complete an internship or an apprenticeship with a local theater. Participatein summer stock.
Network: Talk with people working in the field to find out about jobs and opportunities.
Read newspapers and periodicals related to the theater to keep up with newdevelopments. Read the "trades"--magazines and newspapers that reportevents in the entertainment industry. Read the "Theater" section ofdaily newspapers to find out about upcoming productions.
Get your foot in the door and get involved with productions in any way youcan. Be prepared to do various tasks assigned by stage managers or producers.
Join professional groups as an opportunity to make contacts.
Volunteer with fundraising efforts for the arts.
Be aware of scams. Check out the legitimacy of agencies and companies beforepaying any fees.
Be prepared to move to a metropolitan area where more opportunities exist.
A career in the arts takes patience, dedication, and luck!
Have a back-up plan. Be aware that the unemployment rate for actors hoversaround 85%. Develop skills that qualify you for other jobs while you wait foropportunities in acting. Consider pairing theater with another career interestor major to open up more job opportunities.
Theater helps students develop verbal and written communication, public speaking,and teamwork skills. These transferable skills are valued by many types of employers.
There are many ways to be involved in the theater while pursuing other careeroptions.
Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University ofTennessee, Knoxville. (2005) UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA Employer
