Jobs for Theatre Majors – Careers to Consider

Students who major in Theatre here at Dean College end up with far more skills than just acting. Many learn how to do the work that goes on behind the scenes, direct, manage actors, write and interpret plays, and more. Many of these skills, including those like public speaking, memorization and working under tight deadlines, can come in handy in plenty of other careers as well, even those outside of the theatre and theatre community.

So, if you’re considering a major in Theatre, here are some of the potential jobs for Theatre majors that you’ll qualify for by the time that you graduate.

What Theatre Majors Learn

Spending time working on a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre doesn’t mean that every second is spent on stage, honing your acting skills. In order to get a well-rounded education, students also take classes in producing, directing, costume design, set design, business, writing, history and more. These courses provide them with the ability to go on and work in or for a theatre in any capacity. Here are a few examples of jobs that theatre majors are qualified for after graduating from Dean College:

Costume Shop Manager

Costume shop managers work with theatre production teams, either professional or at the college, high school, or community level, to create costumes for the cast of a particular play. The skills needed to work this job include the ability to make costumes, knowledge of the history of clothing, and the skills needed to work under tight deadlines to get the costumes done on time. Costume shop managers also employ a team of specialists to make those outfits, and those who have advanced degrees may also teach related courses in costume design at colleges or performing arts programs. If you like costume design, organization and managing a team, this could be a great job for a Theatre major.

Lighting and Set Designer

Not only do Theatre programs need actors and costumes, but they also need lighting and sets in order to pull off the magic that encompasses a stage production. Theatre majors gain experience behind the scenes as well as onstage, learning how to recreate the vision that the director has for both lighting and sets. In addition, students operate the lights during rehearsals and the live show, gaining valuable experience that they can use in other settings as well, such as creating the perfect lighting design for photographers, videographers, live musical concerts, and more. If you like the more “technical” side of things, this could be a great job for Theatre majors to consider.

Producer

Producers work with the creative directors (see more on them below), as well as stage directors to ensure that the production gets done on time and within budget. They play an important offstage role in every one of these productions, as they find financing for the play or musical, and put together a creative vision that the director is then in charge of enacting. Majoring in Theatre provides students with experience in all aspects of a production, including the important job of producing, allowing them to take on this type of career in the future.

Choreographer

Even plays that aren’t musicals and don’t have song and dance numbers need choreographers. After all, someone needs to instruct the actors on how to move onstage, where to be when they hit a certain cue, and how to use movement and body language in order to embody their character. Musicals need even more choreography, as the actors dance and sing, completing musical numbers. Theatre majors can find a job as a choreographer, especially if they have dance experience.

Creative Director

Many creative directors run both profit and non-profit theatre programs, choosing which plays and musicals will be scheduled, working with directors to select the cast, and making sure that sponsors and donors are secured. Creative directors have quite a job on their hands, but the skills that they learned while majoring in theatre provides them with all of the skills that need to keep those programs running smoothly.

As you can see, there are numerous rewarding jobs for Theatre majors to pick from once they begin their exciting journey into the wonderful world of entertainment. Ready to take the first step? Learn more about our Theatre degree programs.