I’ve always been really passionate about everything theatre, both the performing and technical aspects, but my plan is to pursue a serious career in musical theatre. I’m a rising high school senior (current junior) so I’ve got a basic list of schools that interest me. The issue is I feel like I should have a backup major of some sort since theatre is such a difficult industry to succeed in, but I would absolutely learn so much more if I focused on just performance (a more rigorous program such as a BFA or arts school). I don’t want to put myself in a position where I’m really struggling to even pay rent right out of college with no “sensible” major/degree but theatre is really the only thing I want to pursue. Is it possible to earn a liveable income while auditioning for things on the side (post-college) if I only have an arts/theatre education?
So you are asking can you go to a BFA in Musical Theater and make a career of it without being a starving actor? No… Lol.
But having a backup is huge or get ready for waiting tables if you can even find that job now.
The only thing you need for acting or musical theater is one thing… Talent! How you obtain that can take many different roads. If you want a job right out of college go into the technical side and do the performing when you can.
Otherwise doing a BFA doesn’t leave you a lot of room to get an accounting degree.
So maybe looking into a BA program might open up your options for minoring or double majoring.
Or… Get your degree in whatever you want and look for acting clubs or student groups or even acting groups close to campus. Some schools have open auditions for anyone.
You have sometime this summer and just investigate the different program /options out there. Many smaller Lacs might fit your bill while still getting a degree.
Musical theater is tough making a career out of since you can still be acting all the time and have trouble paying the bills. If going this route you want a fall back to make money when your not working. Baby sitting is a famous one. If there is anyway you can create a business then you can be in total control and act whenever the opportunity arises.
But standing in line for auditions and not working doesn’t pay the bills even if you have an agent.
I was able to double major in Musical Theatre and Arts Administration in college (I ended up graduating in 4.5 years after taking some time off to do a national tour that I booked while in college). It wasn’t easy (both degrees were BFA), and not all schools will allow you to double major (the suggestion above to look at strong BA programs is a good one) but I’m very grateful for my arts administration degree. I continue to audition and act professionally in my chosen market, but I have a traditional 9-5 job working for a theatre company in administration that pays my bills. I’m lucky to have supportive bosses who let me step out of the office as needed for auditions and get creative with how I’m allotted paid time off when I book an acting gig. Being a full-time salaried employee has definitely taken a lot of stress out of my life, since I know exactly how much money I’ll be making every month. I would definitely recommend some arts administration course of study (and an internship in arts administration, if possible) to any incoming theatre major.
Yes, you CAN get a bfa in musical theatre make a career of it without being a starving actor. It is hard and it is not common. But many people do it.
I do however think the smart thing to do is to get a minor or even double major. There are several great bfa programs out there that will allow u to do so.