<p>I am applying to colleges with great B.A. theater/drama programs, not B.F.A because I don't have that much experience with acting. Anyways I love acting, it is my passion, and I definitely want to pursue acting, but I know that this industry is extremely competitive and only a few are successful in it so I want to double major in something else as a back up. As of right now I am considering double majoring in theater and english because they both interconnect with each other and I love writing. However, I know that there are not that many good jobs for english majors besides teaching which is out of the question because I don't want to be a teacher at all. My dad wants me to do economics because the jobs in the field pay well but I hate this field. Although, my dad makes a good point that I need a strong back up plan in case acting does not work out. I am good at math so I wouldn't really struggle in economics as opposed to other students who struggle with math. What would you suggest I double major in that would land me good jobs that pay for the bills?</p>
<p>Why not flip things around and major in your backup (whatever you feel will make you the most money) and do acting on the side? This business is ruthless and to have a split focus makes things even more difficult. Working in local community theater to get your acting fix, but staying employed in a field other than acting might be a good option for you.</p>
<p>Here’s my advice:</p>
<p>Pick the area you want to make your career in.</p>
<p>Major in that.</p>
<p>Don’t double major in anything.</p>
<p>Don’t think about “plan B” until you are absolutely sure that “plan A” isn’t going to work. THEN you can abandon “plan A” and devote yourself completely to a new “plan B”.</p>
<p>If you REALLY want to be succesful at something you need to give it 100%. You don’t want to split your energies between two things. Because then you really won’t be giving either of them the attention it needs. The people who succeed at an acting career are the people who give it 100%. You will be competing for acting jobs with people who are giving it 100%, and this will give them an advantage if you are not.</p>
<p>When you are young, it is time to pursue your dreams. When you are as old as I am, then it might be time to “play it safe”.</p>
<p>There’s more than I can say about this issue, but I will cut it short now.</p>
<p>I know a very successful actor (a few broadway gigs, pretty steady work on national tours, some regional theatre gigs) who majored in Computer Science at an Ivy. He took a few theatre classes as electives, and was involved in as many productions as he could fit in - both departmental and student-produced.</p>
<p>Although he has been able to work as an actor pretty consistently (he’s in his mid-30s now), he has definitely had his share of “dry spells” for months at a time. He found that he could make a great living during those times by working in the computer science field - lots of jobs, lots of opportunities for contract and short-term work, excellent pay.</p>
<p>Good math skills are a prerequisite for a job in CS. It might be worth checking out. But I would caution you about majoring in ANYTHING just because “it’s pays well” or “there are lots of job opportunities.” I don’t believe there is any job out there that you would love 100% of the time (including acting!) - but I think it would be sad to train for a career, knowing that it was something you don’t like to do. </p>
<p>Unlike other posters on this forum, I don’t think it’s a bad idea to have multiple “arrows in your quiver.” I think double-majoring, or minoring, or getting an undergrad degree in one field and a masters in another, are all great options. Everyone out there is different, and I don’t think “one size fits all” advice is helpful.</p>
<p>Amen, Mountainhiker. There are many paths. And no matter which one you take…you gotta eat and pay the rent. </p>
<p>Also, the idea that your college major has to determine your life path is utter nonsense. Obviously that’s true for some people, but for many it’s just a time of exploration and learning how to think, read, write, and explore a field of study in depth. I majored in American Literature; now I teach (and practice) photography. My daughter majored in theater; now she’s a clinical counselor, specializing in helping adolescents and working with horses as therapeutic partners. Go figure! And one of her undergrad friends double-majored in math and theater. He was an alternate (waitlist) for the Yale MFA program, chosen for the apprentice program at Actors’ Theatre in Louisville, supported himself in a business/tech-oriented job while scraping along as an actor for a few years, then got that MFA and is on the audition circuit now, apparently doing fine. Meantime, that math degree gave him job options that he otherwise wouldn’t have had, and he was smart to keep that particular door open for awhile. Do what’s right for you!</p>
<p>mountainhiker Thank you so much for your advice and I have considered double majoring in Theater and English because I love acting and performing as well as writing. I see myself as a screenplay writer as well like Emma Thompson and Tracy Letts who are also brilliant actors. I have also thought about minoring in Economics by taking a few of those classes so when I apply for a job I have that to back me up with my English degree. My cousin majored in English and wants to become a film/television producer and a screenplay writer but for the mean time he has a finance job which pays well and without any economics background so I think I can do the same for a part time job but I would have a small economics background to help me.</p>
<p>tyler, just to give you my two bits. KEVp gave excellent advice and so have many others. I can tell you the route my son is going and at the end of the day, it is up to you. I strongly think you want a backup field in a field that you would enjoy, not hate. so that would go against economics. Not sure I’d double major in English as it is also hard, I think to find work, in that field. Anyway, for my kid, he is likely to get a BA, just have fun acting in college, and learn what it takes to have a shot in this profession. I figure, and his dad and I disagree on this, that by studying acting, esp in teh context of a BA, he will leave college being a great oral presenter, and he will be good with critical reasoning and writing skills due to his combined classes. He will also know the value of hard work by being in productions, whether he is on stage, back stage, or helping with the front office part of things, all of which he will need to do for a BA. Those life skills will eventually help him land work in a wide range of fields if acting does not work out. I personally could see him excelling at sales or some position where a lot of public speaking is involved, such as PR, a spokesman for a company, or a spokesperson for a politician, who knows. He is considering broadcast journalism as well either as a major, with a minor in theatre, or vice versa. Although that field is also hard to break into, it is easier than acting. While in college, he hopes to get some experience in either a television or film studio, as he would rather work back stage if you will for a television studio than a theatre. Hopefully, this will help you. And have fun in college!!!</p>
<p>If your school offers a minor in business, that looks good on a resume for “back up” purposes. Even if those are not your favorite classes, learning basic accounting, the basics of economics and finance are useful for any adult. Personally, if you were my kid, I would encourage you to have a strong back up for theater. Hey, maybe you will be on the business side of show business!</p>
<p>good point there. i’d like to take my kid to take some business classes as he will be in business for himself when he graduates. At least to understand the basics.</p>
<p>I majored in Theatre as an undergraduate, but I have worked for a few years as a lawyer (actually I am getting back into acting now . . .). Nobody knows. Your choice of major indeed does NOT determine your life path, and often does not really have much connection with careers. Especially since people nowadays change careers several times over the course of their life. (Certainly true of me). The days where after you left college you just worked at one career for your whole life are gone, it doesn’t work like that any more.</p>
<p>For all these reasons, it just doesn’t make sense to major in something you don’t like. Major in the subject you are passionate about. If that is theatre, make it theatre. What’s really going on with Tyler is that his parents don’t like his choice of college major. But you have to decide at some point to be an adult and to stop letting your parents ruin your life. (In my life that took me longer than it should have)</p>
<p>My daughter had a choir teacher in high school that told her this: If you are going to do this, do it. Don’t even think about a back up plan, because that is what you will end up doing. Put 100% in it, because it takes that much." He went on to say that is one regret is not taking that shot when he was young and without a lot of obligations. He is an extremely gifted singer and musician. Double majored in music and music education. Remember, I said he was a choir teacher. An excellent choir teacher at that, but that was his back up plan.</p>
<p>My 2 cents for what they are worth. Back up plans often become the primary focus. You are young! jump in with both feet! If you are going to pursue a career in the arts it takes 100% focus and commitment. Someone told my son when he started auditioning last year that if he could think of anything, ANYTHING he wanted to do more than pursue theater (MT) then he should do that because this path requires 100% commitment. As a parent i understand wanting you to have a “back up plan” i.e. minor in something more “marketable” but sometimes you just need to step back and allow your child to soar. Best of luck as you decide your path. Remember nothing is forever!</p>