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.
