A.3.c Career possibilities.
Acting is not the only viable career choice in the
theatre. Far from it! In terms of steady work, it doesn’t come
close to being as secure as many other occupations on the list. And it certainly affords you less power and
control than many others. It’s not even
sure to provide you as much personal satisfaction as many of the others, or as
much cash. In many ways it calls for
much greater personal risk than most of the others. So why elect a career in acting? Well, if you have to ask, it’s probably not
for you. Choose another.
But acting does have this going for it: it’s the most fundamental of the theatrical arts. It embodies the heart of what theatre is
about—a first-person storyteller shaping the imagination of the “other” in an
audience, and leading the social artistic and ritualistic experience. And to give acting it’s due, all the other
jobs on the list point to that moment of audience contact which the actor
controls. Arguably, in order to be
fulfilling, they must all be peopled by either itinerant actors (those working
toward creating the artistic moment) or ardent audience members (those fixated
by the event). Being both helps.
If you will persist in your attempt to earn a living through
your art, the following are some of the recognized
careers in the theatre you may wish to consider. Film, television, radio and cognate
entertainment media are not included.
Performance
|
Sound Controller
|
Actor
|
Properties Supervisor
|
Director
|
Props Handler
|
Playwright
|
Props Maker
|
Choreographer
|
|
Specialized Coach
|
Management
|
Speech
|
Producer
|
Movement
|
Artistic Director
|
Fight / Fencing
|
Casting Agent
|
|
General Manager
|
Production
|
Company Manager
|
Stage Manager
|
House Manager
|
Assistant Stage Manager
|
Box Office Manager
|
Technical Director
|
Director of Development
|
Master Stage Carpenter
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Audience Development
|
Crew Carpenter
|
Educational Activities
|
Grip (Stagehand)
|
Public Relations
|
Flyer
|
Press Agent
|
Rigger
|
Advertising Agent
|
Scenic Designer
|
Literary Agent
|
Scene Painter
|
Personal Manager
|
Costume Designer
|
Booking Agent
|
Cutter / Seamstress
|
|
Wardrobe Supervisor
|
Education /
Criticism
|
Dresser
|
Dramaturg
|
Makeup Artist
|
College Professor
|
Wigs/ Hair Stylist
|
Secondary School Teacher
|
Lighting Designer
|
Elementary Arts Specialist
|
Master Electrician
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Private Acting Coach
|
Lights Board Operator
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Arts Librarian
|
Sound Designer
|
Play Reviewer
|
Master Sound Technician
|
Theatre Critic
|
It’s clear that all of the careers on the list call for
special preparation. You can be introduced
to the skills of many of them right here through your involvement with our production
program and course work.. This is
probably the best time to begin your sorting-out process, remembering that
choosing one does not eliminate all the others.
Later, you’ll need more technical training through either additional
formal education or by way of intern/apprenticeship programs. You
should begin thinking of these possibilities now, and talk it over with your advisor, explore through our
production opportunities, choose summer jobs which will support your training
for specific areas, look into internship possibilities with local theatre
companies.
Then it’s off to graduate school or to starting in the
trenches in a production company. Don’t
pass on any opportunity to practice your craft and build your résumé. You will want to gather as many contacts as
you can. And if you need to earn a
living through non-theatre activity while you’re waiting for the break, be sure
that it will help build your theatrical skills.
Be sure to create a support group for yourself. Your family and friends are the logical place
to start, but if they don’t fully share your dream, add others who do. After you’ve made some contacts you’ll begin
to develop professional relationships which provide support in an entirely
different way.
Next
Section: A3d:
Support Organizations
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