2 answers
Maddie
Student
Mansfield, Texas
1
Question
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After earning a BFA in musical theater, what are the best strategies for becoming a working actor / performer in Broadway level productions What are the biggest challenges and what should I be prepared for??
I want some real-world insights on the challenges that recent BFA graduates encounter while trying to make a career in musical theater.
What's the average pay for musical theater jobs?
Will I have to have a second job?
What are job opportunities like in different geographic locations in the United States?
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1 answer
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1916
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Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Maddie !
I am not a recent graduate, but believe that I can qualify myself to share some advice for you. I am a very honest person because I want young actors to do their best especially at the beginning of their careers and many times students take different routes that did not totally prepare them for the career.
You have your degree in Musical Theatre. I can only be upfront to say that it is absolutely not necessary to have a degree in a genre such as musical theatre. It is advised to get a degree in a career and for Acting, it would fall under Theatre or Film. I am so sorry and I do bet you are at a professional level with four years of it behind you ! This degree may also hinder your chances from getting work outside of acting because employers feel that an actor will take the job and then leave when they get cast in something. This is actually a real issue. Now that I have reluctantly stated the truth about the degree, let's see what you can do to get some work.
Let's begin with musicals. As someone who reads casting notices on a daily basis, I can confirm that musicals are few and far between and don't appear that often and in a city that you'd hope for. To do only musicals, you'd more or less have to move to and live in New York City. Join Actor's Equity which is the union for stage performers and pay an initial fee and then on-going dues even if you're not working as an actor on stage. You would then have to read the trades to see which agents are accepting new talent to represent. An agent will offer you representation - they choose you, actors do not choose an agent, so you may get an agent soon or may have to wait around until an agent becomes familiar with your work and feels they can generate revenue from representing you. So much for Broadway. And you'd have to expect to travel with some of the shows, too. You could also look for casting notices for Music Videos.
Your best bet would be to put on your actor hat and submit your materials for every acting job in every genre and every media. Consider how serious you are about having this career and plan to move to either New York City or Los Angeles where there is a constant flow of work in Television, Film, some stage (not necessarily musicals). As an actress, I have lived in both Los Angeles and New York City and I would recommend Los Angles if you can do it as that is where more work is plus you're in Texas so it wouldn't be as big a move as New York City would be.
Once you join Actor's Equity, you can get an idea of what musical theatre performers are paid. You can easily contact them. It is different for all performers, famous names, unknowns, production budget and there is no general pay amount to give you an idea of what you will make. When you are hired for stage, you will discuss and sign your contract for whatever salary is offered if you accept it. There is no "average" pay - all roles are different and all production companies are different.
You will only need a "support job" if you find that your savings are dwindling and you need a paycheck because you're not getting cast or making enough to meet your needs. No one can tell you how you career will go and the possibilities are endless. It's just something you have to try if your passion is strong enough and see how it goes.
Your main focus for jobs would be acting. You can work as an actor in some very unthought of places. Medical schools hire actors to portray patients for their students' practical exams. Amusement Parks and places like Legoland hire actors sometimes, too. We have a Veterans Cantonment where I live that hires actors to portray life during the Colonial Era. Explore Museums that may have live action reenactments, too, that use actors. I know that Disney World in Florida uses actors and performers as one of my classmates from college was working there. Explore performance jobs at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA that may be indicated on their website. No one can tell you where to apply for jobs, though. You can try Temporary Agencies, too.
So, register at the trades, such websites as Backstage, Actors Access, Direct Submit, Auditions Free dot com, and look for more and see what happens. Nothing is a sure thing when it comes to acting/performing except that you will be very happy that you chose this career once it gets started. Do not worry - you'll have a unique journey and will learn and enjoy every project you work on !
Wishing you the best and I apologize if the information seems disappointing but your professors really should have prepared you for the outside world. Do return to ask more questions. Different information can be most helpful to you because, as I've mentioned, no two acting careers are exactly alike !
I am not a recent graduate, but believe that I can qualify myself to share some advice for you. I am a very honest person because I want young actors to do their best especially at the beginning of their careers and many times students take different routes that did not totally prepare them for the career.
You have your degree in Musical Theatre. I can only be upfront to say that it is absolutely not necessary to have a degree in a genre such as musical theatre. It is advised to get a degree in a career and for Acting, it would fall under Theatre or Film. I am so sorry and I do bet you are at a professional level with four years of it behind you ! This degree may also hinder your chances from getting work outside of acting because employers feel that an actor will take the job and then leave when they get cast in something. This is actually a real issue. Now that I have reluctantly stated the truth about the degree, let's see what you can do to get some work.
Let's begin with musicals. As someone who reads casting notices on a daily basis, I can confirm that musicals are few and far between and don't appear that often and in a city that you'd hope for. To do only musicals, you'd more or less have to move to and live in New York City. Join Actor's Equity which is the union for stage performers and pay an initial fee and then on-going dues even if you're not working as an actor on stage. You would then have to read the trades to see which agents are accepting new talent to represent. An agent will offer you representation - they choose you, actors do not choose an agent, so you may get an agent soon or may have to wait around until an agent becomes familiar with your work and feels they can generate revenue from representing you. So much for Broadway. And you'd have to expect to travel with some of the shows, too. You could also look for casting notices for Music Videos.
Your best bet would be to put on your actor hat and submit your materials for every acting job in every genre and every media. Consider how serious you are about having this career and plan to move to either New York City or Los Angeles where there is a constant flow of work in Television, Film, some stage (not necessarily musicals). As an actress, I have lived in both Los Angeles and New York City and I would recommend Los Angles if you can do it as that is where more work is plus you're in Texas so it wouldn't be as big a move as New York City would be.
Once you join Actor's Equity, you can get an idea of what musical theatre performers are paid. You can easily contact them. It is different for all performers, famous names, unknowns, production budget and there is no general pay amount to give you an idea of what you will make. When you are hired for stage, you will discuss and sign your contract for whatever salary is offered if you accept it. There is no "average" pay - all roles are different and all production companies are different.
You will only need a "support job" if you find that your savings are dwindling and you need a paycheck because you're not getting cast or making enough to meet your needs. No one can tell you how you career will go and the possibilities are endless. It's just something you have to try if your passion is strong enough and see how it goes.
Your main focus for jobs would be acting. You can work as an actor in some very unthought of places. Medical schools hire actors to portray patients for their students' practical exams. Amusement Parks and places like Legoland hire actors sometimes, too. We have a Veterans Cantonment where I live that hires actors to portray life during the Colonial Era. Explore Museums that may have live action reenactments, too, that use actors. I know that Disney World in Florida uses actors and performers as one of my classmates from college was working there. Explore performance jobs at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA that may be indicated on their website. No one can tell you where to apply for jobs, though. You can try Temporary Agencies, too.
So, register at the trades, such websites as Backstage, Actors Access, Direct Submit, Auditions Free dot com, and look for more and see what happens. Nothing is a sure thing when it comes to acting/performing except that you will be very happy that you chose this career once it gets started. Do not worry - you'll have a unique journey and will learn and enjoy every project you work on !
Wishing you the best and I apologize if the information seems disappointing but your professors really should have prepared you for the outside world. Do return to ask more questions. Different information can be most helpful to you because, as I've mentioned, no two acting careers are exactly alike !