I found a lot of the information on the original thread quite valuable. Here is the link to that thread: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/1318265-what-future-are-our-mts-training-for.html#latest
If anyone would like to continue the conversation, here’s a new thread!
Thank you for bringing that thread to our attention (at least mine).
I think much of this applies to any student seeking a college education in the arts. As I have a child who has been on the classical ballet track, I have heard similar conversations regarding college level ballet training. I’ve watched the older dancers dd has known enter top college programs as ballet dancers and leave as modern and contemporary dancers and have seen some leave for other fields. A good number of those we know that graduated from college programs as dancers are working in restaurants, in real estate and other non-dance fields and working in the side in small modern and contemporary companies where I am not sure they are actually paid.
A place where maybe dance differs from MT is that those that we know that are actually working in ballet companies did not go to college directly after high school. They went to training programs. Some work on their degrees on the side. I wonder about this sort of thing and MT. I just don’t know enough about the training for this field outside of college programs. Dd and I are just learning about those now!
Something we have talked about for years has been a plan A, a plan B and a plan C. For dd, plan A and B have always involved performing. I think we are now at a point where plan A, B and C all involve performing. It’s plan D that doesn’t really exist yet… what would she do if a performance career does not pan out or after a performance career?
My opinion is that intense, conservatory style or college level training requires a strong work ethic that will translate into any career path.
This is a GREAT article about the actress who plays Flo on the Progressive commercials - all about the long-term grind of an actor’s life plugging away until they get that lucky break: http://www.cosmopolitan.com/career/news/a38633/get-that-life-stephanie-courtney-flo-progressive/
That article was wonderful! A must read. Love her—she is so wise.
I think dancers’ careers often peak long before singers’ do. This was quite apparent D’s Miami YoungArts year. Many dancers at D’s university have already been principals in major companies before starting college, while most of the MT’s in her school with Broadway credits played teens or kids. In our experience MTs who read very young are the ones who most often choose to forgo college, but there are non-college conservatory options like Cap21 and Circle in the Square.
I love that they note she has a degree in theatre!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/what-does-michelle-obama-need-ask-kristen-jarvis-her-chief-of-stuff/2015/04/14/7ac88e72-dec9-11e4-be40-566e2653afe5_story.html?tid=sm_fb
I caught that too, @austinmtmom!