<p>For all of you who are considering a career in the arts (which is why you are likely visiting the MT Forum!), and are always being discouraged by others for pursuing this path or being told to have a plan B......read this:</p>
<p>Art</a> and Music Are Professions Worth Fighting for | Blake Morgan</p>
<p>Susan, I just read the article – outloud – to my Hubby, sitting nearby. We looked at each other and said, “Wow.” It basically covers the heart and soul of what our young artists are trying to accomplish – and what we, as parents, should want so much for them. Respect.</p>
<p>Thanks for sharing!</p>
<p>What a great article, and timely for us. My daughter–a dancer who also has more practical genes than anyone else in our family–is definitely conflicted about how much she should “go for it” in college. She is not one of those people who waxes philosophically about her art. Dance just IS for her–it’s all she has ever known as an outlet for her creativity, her emotions, and everything else. As we have started talking about her college plans, she has started worrying about only majoring in dance because she is afraid she she will end up being a dance teacher with no real career prospects. And she does want to be financially successful as well as creatively fulfilled. It’s hard!</p>
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<p>I really enjoyed the article as well, and think it’s great that some people choose to relentlessly pursue a life in the arts, but I also applaud kids who are able to think ahead to the type of lives they want and recognize that an education narrowly focused on performing may not ultimately get them all that they seek.</p>
<p>We have a nephew who was always destined to be a visual artist (we all could see it when he was still in grade school). He attended a top art school and now has his dream job as an Art Director for a local newspaper. Bravo for him for fearlessly following his dream against the odds!! </p>
<p>On the other hand, last night I attended a musical with our MT D who opted to pursue a performing BA at an academically demanding school, where she could double major and explore various aspects of theatre (in addition to performing she’s taken a strong interest in Directing and is doubling in History). D is absolutely committed to pursuing a life as a performer, but after the show she took every bit as much pleasure in deeply discussing the historical context of the show and the director’s choices as she did in analyzing the performances.</p>
<p>Are the performers in D’s school less committed artists than those who opted for a BFA? Are they wimps with an often-maligned Plan B? Absolutely not! It can take every bit as much courage for people with artistic talents to step outside their comfort zone and challenge themselves in other areas as it does to focus narrowly on the arts, and each approach brings the world people with different perspective and skill sets. </p>
<p>Bravo to people with the courage to pursue their passions, WHATEVER they may be, and bravo to the adults who support them in those pursuits!</p>
<p>This is such an interesting topic, especially as the kids we know get further into the field and begin to know graduates of various programs. It was brought home for me again recently as D talked about a very talented friend who graduated from a mid-level BFA-MT several years ago and did not find work and is now continuing her education in a very well-respected MFA acting program. She’s a great singer who was never going to become a dancer and felt inadequately trained as an actress in her BFA. </p>
<p>With more and more schools offering the BFA-MT, the reality is that Plan B happens to many (most) graduates whether they plan for it or not.</p>
<p>I don’t think the article was talking about BFA vs BA or pitting one path to achieving a child’s passion over another. It was more about validating a child’s choice and helping them realize that their career was just as serious or important as a kid who chooses to be a doctor. Plan A can have many sub plans within it, but overall most kids who have this passion and pursue it in whatever way fits them will not need a Plan B.</p>
<p>I agree Bisouu and have 2 kids doing exactly that!
It is interesting though to watch their plans and currently those of older friends with the same goals going in morph and change over the years. I guess I’m missing the distinction between Plan B and a subset of Plan A. And, I really don’t care where they end up as long as they find a way to be happy and successful at something, eventually.</p>
<p>I guess for me a Plan B is something completely out of the artistic realm. Like a plumber or forensic scientist…I am sure some will argue that those professions have an artistic twist to them too.</p>
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<p>A large chunk of this article focused on the ills of Plan B, and I totally get the fact that jumping without a net inherently raises the stakes and all that, but the reality is that being “an artist” is not a black and white issue. All people live on a continuum, where some are highly specialized and others contribute as generalists. Some the most artistic people I know never studied art, and don’t even pursue it as a profession.</p>
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<p>I found this quote particularly interesting, as in my experience it is often a certain sense of detachment that enables some people to reach the very highest levels of success. MANY successful performers seriously considered and pursued alternate professions and the same is true in every other profession I can think of. Success often does not require, or even benefit from, laser focus.</p>
<p>As I say, I loved the article and am very glad there are folks in the world who defend the value of artists, but I also think it carries a certain specializing bias that is not useful for ALL kids.</p>
<p>On the other hand, I just printed out 17 pages of music for a new song, with a revision date of 12/21/13 at the bottom and which D is just seeing for the first time, for which D has a professional rehearsal a few hours from now.</p>
<p>Anyone who thinks MT kids don’t learn valuable life skills hasn’t spent much time with MT kids. :)</p>
<p>I agree with bisouu that I don’t think the article was talking about a BFA vs. a BA. And certainly those who opt for a BFA may also have additional interests such as history and in many programs, don’t just take courses in the arts. </p>
<p>Flossy, I see a distinction of sorts between having a Plan B and “a subset of Plan A (the arts).” When I read on CC, for example, about having a Plan B, it is often those who are talking of double majors, “in case a career in the arts doesn’t work out.” To me, that’s different than majoring in the arts and hoping to have a career in the arts, but having survival jobs on the side, or in some cases, doing jobs in the arts that are not performance based. Survival jobs are enabling the person to pursue the arts. They are not the same as “fallbacks” and “needing another major in case the arts don’t work out.” </p>
<p>My kid did not enter college with the idea of a Plan B. She went for it in the arts and is working in various capacities in the arts ever since graduating college and has not worked in any other field. She is interested in many subjects and enjoyed studying things other than the arts in terms of her worldly knowledge. However, in terms of a career, she is only working in the arts and only intends to pursue various sorts of work in her chosen field of passion. There was never a Plan B. She has held some survival jobs, but even those were all in the arts. And I have seen this with those who have taken a BFA or a BA path.</p>
<p>“She went for it in the arts and is working in various capacities in the arts ever since graduating college and has not worked in any other field.”</p>
<p>That’s fantastic! And probably quite unusual, right? It would be interesting to see for how many of these students that holds true. Colleges love to brag about success stories but that’s a teeny fraction of the graduates of all of these programs. That said, we have no Plan B.</p>
<p>And if your child is doing what they love, they will never work a day in their lives! :)</p>
<p>Very neat article. And kids in MT training get the kinds of experience and work habits that, even if they don;t make it in the theater world per se, will allow them to succeed in a variety of endeavors if need be.</p>
<p>^^^totally agree with that statement, jeffandann!</p>
<p>Are we all going to gloss over what Flossy said? To me, that is the issue. She said, “It was brought home for me again recently as D talked about a very talented friend who graduated from a mid-level BFA-MT several years ago and did not find work and is now continuing her education in a very well-respected MFA acting program. She’s a great singer who was never going to become a dancer and felt inadequately trained as an actress in her BFA.” </p>
<p>I think the problem is that there are many more kids in this field than there are decent-paying jobs. And, some of these kids are delusional. You only have to look at some of the prescreens and video auditions on YouTube to be wondering what they are thinking. I don’t mean to be harsh, but we had a professional vocalist in our house while my D and I were watching some of the clips, and she said, “Why has no one stopped these kids?” Indeed. And when you google these kids, or search them on FB, you see that they are now majoring in MT at “mid-level” - or worse, programs. And they are going to, most likely, be inadequately trained, and come out expecting to work in their field. To me, that is sad. And unnecessary. These kids either need a Plan B, or they need to abandon their Plan A. Just like some kids are not cut out to be a doctor or a lawyer, some kids are not cut out to be in MT. It’s harsh, but it’s the truth. </p>
<p>So, while I agree with the article that every kid should pursue their dreams, they should do so realistically.</p>
<p>I don’t know. There are mid-level or worse jobs in MT, too. Isn’t that alot like saying unless you get into MIT you should probably not major in business? I agree there are too many programs and not enough jobs and at 17 all too many of these kids want is to get into some program somewhere and 4 years is not near enough time to turn a high school level performer into a Broadway level performer at any school so I do think the skill sets going in are the biggest factor in the skill sets coming out and many of these MT students will end up with a plan B, planned or unplanned eventually. But, that’s life I guess.</p>
<p>Also, I’ve been pretty surprised by some of the people we know who are working reasonably regularly, now. It’s not always the early stand-outs who are the most successful. Or even the best. imho.</p>
<p>For my kids, I am happy to support them pursuing their passion. If it doesn’t work out, they have the rest of their lives to pursue Plan B, C, etc.</p>
<p>Yes veritas it’s a tough business. But I would caution about slotting programs as mid tier , etc. in the end it’s talent and how it is nurtured and developed and this can be done well at many programs. Many kids are out there doing theater for a living from many different programs.</p>
<p>I do agree kids need to have realistic expectations. If the only goal is Broadway then kids may not reach their dream. But that is not the only job in MT. I see many people in my own town that do local/regional theater that are very happy and successful. Plus as I indicated above when going through a BFA program you develop a variety of work habits and skills that lend themselves to many career paths. Bottom line you come out with a marketable college degree.</p>
<p>I know plenty of folks with business, nursing, engineering degrees out there looking. Not really any different than a performer.</p>
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<p>I so agree with this. I never cared what my kids majored in when they went to college. I wanted them to pursue their interests and they did. Along the way, they became educated. </p>
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<p>Agree with this. People make too much of an issue as to what one’s college major is. The point is that having a college degree educates you and makes you marketable in the work force. Many people in all sorts of majors are out there job hunting, not just performance majors. And so many people are working in fields unrelated to their major. Further, even if a performance major, one is equipped to work in many facets of the arts, not just onstage. </p>
<p>While I agree that not everyone who likes MT has what it takes to succeed, but entry into the MT college programs already is a “cut” of sorts. And of course, not everyone who graduates from one will succeed in the field, but this is true of many college majors.</p>