Hello, I am a junior in high school and currently have a 4.0 GPA and am taking 2 AP classes. As a kid I thought I would be a doctor, as I imagine others have as a child, but knowing how difficult and long it will be and realizing how I don’t want to be that anymore, I don’t know what to major as in college. Recently I’ve sparked in interest in the performing arts. The thing is I have never been in a school play or drama club. I am also an introvert with stage fright which is weird considering what I have stated as an interest. As someone who has been characterized as shy and would probably be considered as an outsider by my peers, I still believe I could learn to be social outside of my school environment. I strongly feel that with training/classes and being outside my comfort zone I could succeed. I know this can seem stupid but I’ve been thinking about this for a year and a half. Please let me know your opinions, specifically those who are already in the arts. Anything is greatly appreciated.
If you are interested in theater but not so much being on stage, consider the technical side. I’m sure your high school production would be thrilled to have help with set painting, costumes, production, props, lighting, sound…or something else that is not on stage.
Thank you for your very prompt response. I have actually thought about helping with productions this year. Unfortunately I couldn’t at the beginning of the year but will definitely keep an eye out for future assistance. What I wanted to say in my previous post is that I’m interested on being onstage. Possibly an actress. Definitely an actress. It’s why I’m having trouble figuring out where I want to apply and what to major in. My shyness and inexperience on stage really puts me on a disadvantage.
In my opinion, you need some experience on stage before you decide you want to be an actress. It’s not that easy a career goal. If you want a BFA in acting, you will need to audition.
But lots of folks do theater for fun!
And back to your doctor thing…you do know that there are tons of other health care professions you could consider beside doctor.
As you consider any major, a good idea is to look up a college catalog (the one for your state flagship could work- they usually have a large variety of majors), and read the course descriptions for the required classes in that major. See if all of it actually sounds enjoyable or not. Look through the majors list to see if anything else appeals while you’re at it.
For sure try to do some HS or community theatre this school year.
My DD’19 definitely struggled with what to major in while in high school (even though I told her she didn’t have to decide then, she wanted to). Theatre/musical theatre was definitely on her list. She was involved in speech and theatre all 4 years, generally having main roles and going to State, etc. So she had some experience in a small school environment but she had no dance experience and very few voice lessons.
She started college with theatre as a second major, then dropped to a minor, then dropped altogether. However, she is at a school where she can still participate for fun. She knew she didn’t want to live the actress life and pound the pavement in NYC like another girl from our HS. Maybe DD will be involved in community theatre, or help with a school’s drama program as a volunteer coach though.
Some college’s theatre programs are competitive, but others, like DD’s, are open to anyone. Their Theatre BA is not a huge amount of credits, so it’s fairly easy to add to another BA. It could be really good for you to be involved in theatre- give you skills like being a more confident public speaker, etc. that are good in all types of jobs. Not all theatre majors work in theatre but it can still be a useful degree (as I was told when I worried about DD being one).
Yes I have seen that most if not all colleges want you to audition. So I can do theater for fun? I did not know that you could do that. And yes I do know I don’t have to be a doctor. Science has just become something that does not appeal to me anymore.
That’s very interesting. Would you mind saying where she went to college. Seems like a school to look into.
Absolutely. High schools often have ensemble people…parts that are not speaking parts, but you are still in the play. Many towns have community theater groups (many on pause because of Covid…but opening up). Many adults do community theater as a hobby and really enjoy it. You don’t have to have a speaking part or be a professional actress to still be in shows.
It’s a directional public, if you’re not in the Midwest you probably wouldn’t be interested in this particular one, but I would think a lot of nonselective smaller public or private schools would have open access to theatre majors.
DD did audition for a scholarship, but wouldn’t have needed to audition for admission to the program.
So there are many different ways to be parts of performing arts in college and to be a performer once you are done with school. The classic way is to audition for a BFA acting program which requires prepared auditions and are highly selective. But, many schools have BA acting, which is basically a declared major just like any other. If you are a highly talented actor then you can get merit for performance or an admissions boost but most schools are not selective for these programs and anyone interested can declare the major and join the classes.
You can participate in theater at tons and tons of colleges. Look through the websites of colleges you are interested in and see what they offer and if non-majors can participate.
FWIW my D went to a LAC and did theater as an EC,.she took some theater classes she found interesting, and and ended up with a theater minor. (She is now a speech and language pathologist.)
Keep in mind that the odds of “making it” as an actor are not great.
Thanks. I’ll look into some liberal arts colleges near me.
No need to limit yourself to LACs.
For most schools you do not need to know your major until the end of sophomore year. Plenty of time to explore.
Start your involvement in theater in high school if you can, in any capacity. On stage, back stage, anything.
In college, you do not have to major in theater to act. You can do extracurricular theater.
Whatever you do now, as a junior in hs, should be for your development and enjoyment, not just for college or career goals. Particularly if you are introverted and relatively isolated.
If you do, consider doing a double major (or even a triple major if permitted by your college or university).
hey! so I decided to take theater tech next year as an elective! I’m not really trying to be on the technical side but I thought it would be a good idea to start there. At least I’d see the environment (albeit its a high school stage)and learn the terminology. Thanks!