<p>My daughter plans on double majoring because she has many intellectual passions. Theatre has been a huge part of her life but she’s not ready to close the door on everything else the world has to offer. </p>
<p>I’m a theatre major with a focus on technical theatre and design. I worked professionally from 15 to 30. Truth is, I do wish I’d double majored. I don’t regret the time I spent in theatre but I regret that when I turned 30 and I realized how incompatible theatre was with how I wanted to raise my children, that I didn’t have a ready fall-back… a double major… a teaching certificate… something that would have allowed me to move into the real world more smoothly (and offered “school time” hours.) I know I had it easier than most as stage management skills are pretty easy to translate to the layman. The problem I see with theatre degrees isn’t just the competitive issues but the fact that it’s a very different lifestyle that most high schoolers have no concept of when choosing to major in it. I can’t tell you how many ex-stage managers who leave because they are tired of the lifestyle… I might have to follow their lead and go get a masters in computer science. </p>
<p>I support my daughter’s choice to go into theatre. She’s a talented kid with a good head on her shoulders. She’s been raised in theatre with her eyes open. She’s gotten a ton of practical advice from some of the best in the business. Ironically, it’s pretty much just peers and coaches using the “if you have a fall-back then you will fall-back” line. The more successful people she’s worked with encouraged a double major, forgoing conservatories, taking business classes and understanding how to make your own opportunities (which means knowing how to produce a show, knowing how to manage a small business, ect.)</p>
<p>This is a little off-topic but do you ever wonder why we don’t encourage more kids to study theatre through professional lessons and constant auditioning? It would cost less in many cases… and when it comes to theatre, what matter most is your audition and experience… not where you went to college lol.</p>
<p>Plenty of actors do that (take tons of classes while auditioning and working a survival job). The number of roles for recent high school graduates is pretty small, though. I am glad my son is getting a college experience while he is training, and growing up some more in a sheltered environment. </p>
<p>I should add that many conservatory programs include classes on business and marketing, and that it is possible to study other subjects later in life as one’s interests and focus change.</p>
<p>Many different paths, and the goal is to choose one that works for that person.</p>
<p>I agree, many different paths to a happy life. There are some lovely conservatories out there. Some are pretty darn difficult to pass up. I just personally feel that 17 and 18 is so young to commit to one area of study. The college period is a wonderful time of growth… I want my own kids to be surrounded by all sorts of people, majors and ideas. Perhaps that’s just me though. I’m the sort that wants every opportunity and path open for as long as possible even if your kid were into biology or computers.</p>
<p>Money is the main reason I question the college track for all actors. We know so many kids going into theatre. At least 10 starting out this year alone. Many will be graduating with 80 grand in debt. We have a friend that took out 50 grand in loans for their daughter to go to a musical theatre program… for one year. It can be difficult to watch in certain cases. Of course, I’m irritated with the college system as a whole… not just for theatre. It’s just that entertainment is still something you can do without a degree and still have access to quality training. Theatre is still such a mystery to so many that I worry many don’t really know that there are other options. Ah well, I’m just theorizing now… still looking for that ideal world lol.</p>
<p>I’d rather my kid move to Hollywood with 4 years of BFA or conservatory training under their belt and the skills, and contacts from their program, then at 18 after being scouted at a John Robert Powers convention in Louisville, Kentucky and sold a bill of goods that they should move out to LA because they have a great look.</p>
<p>Funny enough, there was an article in our local paper today who did just that and has had a bunch of TV guest spots and just filmed some kind of kid-friendly feature film last month. She’s extremely tiny and very pretty and 18 but has been playing small kids parts on some decently regarded shows. It took her about a year to start actually booking things (or maybe it took till she was legal 18) but it is happening and I saw 2 of them. She does a decent job and has absolutely no formal acting training. I guess my question is, is this a reasonable route or would it fizzle away as you get older?</p>
<p>I’d have to bet that for every success that comes out of those sorts of conventions there are thousands of dashed dreams. </p>
<p>Your always going to hear about someone that it worked for, apparently Aaron Paul, from Breaking Bad, was discovered at a convention when he was around 17. One thing Aaron did have going for him was the guy who discovered him is the real deal so he was not sold a bill of goods. </p>
<p>I’d rather my kid have some education and training before they head off to LA.</p>
<p>Oh gosh, I do feel an education is very important. I’m just not totally sold on the BFA or single BA in theatre despite having one myself. I’d much prefer my kid major in something else, or double/minor in theatre. Get some professional training if they aren’t majoring and then head out into the world. I’d not want them skipping college all together and heading to Hollywood lol. Absolutely not my thought at all.</p>
<p>Reality is, our kids will make their own choices. It’s all a matter of helping them grasp all the various options out there.</p>
My D had the skip college and get out there and work option. She also had the 2 year conservatory option. She CHOSE to pursue a BFA for a variety of reasons. She has turned down some opportunities while in school because she didn’t want to leave and perhaps not finish her degree. She isn’t double majoring or minoring. But that doesn’t mean she hasn’t learned new non-theatre related skills while in school. Just like you don’t have to get a theatre degree to act, you don’t have to major in business to run one. </p>
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And you can be exposed to all of that while getting a BFA degree.</p>
<p>I have to admit that I do not have a plan B at the moment but to be honest I don’t want to have one right now. I want to concentrate and when I tried it and everyone is telling me that I have got absolutely no talent for acting, I will think about a Plan B again.</p>
<p>Nicely put. Reminds me of an article I read this week in the New Yorker, with Bryan Cranston (of Breaking Bad). He says, “I came up with this motto: ‘Find something you love and hopefully become good at’ - as opposed to 'Find something you’re good at and hopefully fall in love with.”</p>
<p>He also says, "It incrementally came to me that when I audition I’m not trying to get a job [or a school!], but to give them something, my acting. The victory isn’t ‘Did I beat that other guy out?’ but ‘Did I present that character as believably as I could?’</p>
I am bumping this thread. Spent some time over the holidays with relatives that we don’t get to see too often, and my kid, my husband, and myself all felt like we spent our holiday defending life choices (her for what she is doing, us b/c we are paying good $$ for it) Wasn’t the first time, surely won’t be the last- ah well…
My new year’s resolution is going to be to try to mind my own business more…and to ignore the people who can’t. Seriously, though, what could these people possibly know about your family and your daughter and the choices you’re making?
To be fair- these are family members, not people on the street- but they are not “arts” people. They care for my kid, and would like to see her on what they define as a more “secure” path. Also, to give them their due, when presented with arguments for why we think D’s path IS a wise choice, they responded positively. But I think it is valuable to have some facts/figures at the ready
