A question for those who are actors/actresses.

[Buzz Rules]

I have a cousin who is attending college next year and is thinking about pursuing acting as a career. I’m curious if those who do act for a career got a B.A. in theater or did you pursue another discipline and still were able to become an actor? He is fully aware that the career path could very well be a hard one and is also looking about other backup majors as well. I guess part of my question is could he become an actor with a minor in theater and have his back up career be a completely different major? How vital is a B.A. in theater to the entertainment/acting industry? Thanks in advance.

 

[mousefan73]

I have a good aquaintance who is a paid actor out in LA. She went to Harvard but did not study acting. She has though taken many professional acting classes outside of the University. I HS friend of mine did study get a BA in Theater and she did work smaller plays ( paid) in the Chicago area. and then ended up working for various Theater companies as non-talent. Though via her degree she was able to get her name out and network ( theater seems to work more this way) Another friend works in production for a decades long network show out of NYC ( degree in writing/literature).. She could care less what school a person went to or degree for an acting job... that is really irrelevant in getting a role. Auditions / look/ right agent does. Now getting a degree in your "craft" might develop you as an actor.

You do NOT need a BA in theater to become a paid actor. Seeing how the industry is I highly suggest a back-up. As this industry talent does not dictate success.. Luck does - having the right look, advocate pushing you does.

 

[Buzz Rules]

I have a good aquaintance who is a paid actor out in LA. She went to Harvard but did not study acting. She has though taken many professional acting classes outside of the University. I HS friend of mine did study get a BA in Theater and she did work smaller plays ( paid) in the Chicago area. and then ended up working for various Theater companies as non-talent. Though via her degree she was able to get her name out and network ( theater seems to work more this way) Another friend works in production for a decades long network show out of NYC ( degree in writing/literature).. She could care less what school a person went to or degree for an acting job... that is really irrelevant in getting a role. Auditions / look/ right agent does. Now getting a degree in your "craft" might develop you as an actor.

You do NOT need a BA in theater to become a paid actor. Seeing how the industry is I highly suggest a back-up. As this industry talent does not dictate success.. Luck does - having the right look, advocate pushing you does.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

My son graduated two years ago with a BFA in musical theater. We discussed all the options and thought long and hard about his degree options before committing to a full-on MT program. All he’s ever wanted to do is sing and act. And he proved that was committed to working hard and has tons of talent. We talked to industry professionals about the pros and cons of studying theater vs a degree for a back-up job. The advice was: If you truly want to be an actor, go for it 100%. Dive in completely, audition for lots of college programs, choose the best one that accepts you, work hard in your classes, do as many shows as possible, etc.

The director of my son’s college program pointed out that many careers just require a degree of any type. That musical theater degree can provide the basis for a teaching credential later on. It can lead to an entry level job that requires a degree of any kind. It can also open doors in the entertainment industry. Is it totally necessary to become a successful actor? No. Does it provide the necessary training and experience to jump into auditions with confidence and credibility? Yes, if the student works hard and takes their classes seriously. My son is so passionate about performing. An alternate college major would have been a painful waste of his time and talent. Just another perspective.

 

[barkley]

My son graduated two years ago with a BFA in musical theater. We discussed all the options and thought long and hard about his degree options before committing to a full-on MT program. All he’s ever wanted to do is sing and act. And he proved that was committed to working hard and has tons of talent. We talked to industry professionals about the pros and cons of studying theater vs a degree for a back-up job. The advice was: If you truly want to be an actor, go for it 100%. Dive in completely, audition for lots of college programs, choose the best one that accepts you, work hard in your classes, do as many shows as possible, etc.

The director of my son’s college program pointed out that many careers just require a degree of any type. That musical theater degree can provide the basis for a teaching credential later on. It can lead to an entry level job that requires a degree of any kind. It can also open doors in the entertainment industry. Is it totally necessary to become a successful actor? No. Does it provide the necessary training and experience to jump into auditions with confidence and credibility? Yes, if the student works hard and takes their classes seriously. My son is so passionate about performing. An alternate college major would have been a painful waste of his time and talent. Just another perspective.

curious-is your son f/t employed in the field of his major?

 

[Fairyjen1]

I have a BFA in Musical Theatre. I have several friends that work in TV and Stage. Honestly, the ones that just started going on auditions and didn’t finish their degree had a head start. A few of my friends with degrees did eventually catch up, I’m not sure how much of a difference the degree made.

I use my degree mostly for my side hustle, but I am in an area that has lots of opportunity for that. I’m a self taught data analyst to pay the bills. I was fortunate that the companies I have worked for only care that you have a degree and don’t care as much what it is in.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

curious-is your son f/t employed in the field of his major?

Not full time yet, but he’s had several acting jobs. He was just offered a contract today for a summer show.

 

[barkley]

Not full time yet, but he’s had several acting jobs. He was just offered a contract today for a summer show.

cool!