Career questions tagged musical-theatre


How many auditions did it take you to get your first actual professional music job/gig ?
I’m currently an undergrad vocal performance major and I know the industry can be brutal. How difficult is it exactly and how much rejection should I expect to receive?

Should I pursue musical theatre?
I've been a musician my entire life. I started violin when I was 5 and learned many more instruments along the way as well as absolutely loving singing. I live in a small town so there's very few opportunities for music, but spring of my freshman year, I went to a nearby town and saw a community theatre. I absolutely fell in love and started going to school there so I could do it. Since then I've been a part of every single production and lately I've been having a bit of a crisis. I really want to try and pursue musical theatre professionally. My original plan had been to go into audio technology and run a recording studio but I'm starting to wonder if I could truly make it. I love it so much, and I think I'm a very good musician and a pretty decent actor (I got second in speech and drama at state) but I also don't have much dance experience or opportunities to get into it. I'm also worried that because I got into this so late, that I might not have enough experience under my belt or suddenly not like it anymore. Realistically, would I be able to make a living in musical theatre? I don't need to be famous or rich, I just wish I could spend all day doing what I love and be able to support. I was also thinking as a back up getting a minor in education so I could work with education in a community theatre if nothing else. Anyone have advice for what I can do to prepare, or if it's not worth it and I should just stick with my original plan?

When pursuing a career in musical theater, is it better to go to grad school for an MFA after undergrad or head straight to New York and auditioning? #Spring25
I want to have my MFA so that if I choose to settle down in the future, I have the option, but my ultimate goal is performing.

What are some good part time jobs for students about to pursue a performance degree? Specifically jobs in the music/performance space or adjacent to that.
I am a graduating senior who will be pursuing a BFA in Musical Theater in the Fall. I want to get a job to start supplementing my schooling. In addition to musical theater I love choral music and singing as an art form. I want to get a job that allows me to work on my craft as well as make money.

What colleges are best fit for performing arts majors?
What colleges, if any, are great and noncompetitive? Is it more challenging to get into performing arts colleges or regular colleges with performing arts programs? What regular colleges have great performing arts programs?

What is the most effective way to build confidence and train for a performance/audition?
How do you pick the right song or script? What techniques are used to deliver the best possible performance? How do you put aside the stage fright? What should I anticipate when auditioning (whether it be for college or any other project)? How do I make certain that I am ready?

What degree should I major in if I want to be a Creative Director?
I am currently working in healthcare administration looking to pivot my career to creative directing. I have no clue where to start. I have interest in musical theater, production design, graphic design, and creative writing.

I'm young and really don't know all that much about college. I know that I want to pursue musical theater, but how do I go about doing that?
I've had my sights set on NYU, but I currently live in MD, and it would be pretty expensive. Are there any scholarships that could help relieve the price I can work towards? I'm really ill-informed about college, and if it's not a bother, I would really like the whole process to be explained. And also, assuming I graduate with some form of musical theater degree, how does the "real world" work in theater? I also plan on having kids--how is that possible if you're a full-time actor, especially one that goes on national tours? I'm not trying to sound naïve, but I was never taught about college and it's bringing me a lot of unwanted stress because it just seems so huge and incomprehensible. Is there any advice you all have to offer?

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?

My name is Kylie. I am sixteen and currently a Junior. Do you have any recommendations on college for a student with an average GPA and a want to be a musical theatre major? I really need some advice on how to get into a certain college and which one to pick.
I have musical theatre experience. I have been in my high school drama club for over 6 years now. Some standout roles are: Carlotta (Phantom of the Opera), Mr.s Teavee (Charlie and the Chocloate Factory), Jan (Grease) along with many others. I have had voice lessons training for opera singing for almost 7 years now. I also perform at my community theatre. I also do color guard and am the captain this year. I also plan for trying out for all Ohio ( a show that has student actors from all across the state.) I have also done solo and ensemble for 2 years now. Freshman year: I did Kind Fortune smiles, class B, and got a 1. Sophomore year: I did Sebben crudele, class B Italian, and got a 1. I am doing a class A this year

How do i get into the musical theatre world after high school?
I am a 15 year old sophomore at a private high school, looking to get a bfa in college. i would like to know just generally more about how difficult it is to get that degree and when i should start preparing for auditions.

How can I get into acting professionally at age 16?
I have been acting in school plays and musicals for 8 years. I have also taken theatre and acting classes.

Stuck Between 2 Paths and graduating soon what should I do?
I am 21 and completing my final year in university as a psychology, forensic specialization and criminology dual major with a minor in youth and children studies. I have been struggling with deciding 'what to do with my life' for a long time but it has become serious as I need to start applying to graduate schools. My first path/interest has to do with my majors. I am extremely interested in young offenders, at risk youth, mental health and criminality and general, and other forensic psychology related topics. I do not know what exact career I would want but I do have some ideas. I am looking to pursue a masters degree in forensic psychology, I am not completely sure I like doing research which is what most if not all master/graduate programs consist of though. Fortunately I am doing a Honours thesis this year which may help but I'm still nervous about not being good enough to do these programs. My other dilemma is that I have strong passions in another field. For the longest time I have wanted to be a singer it is my biggest passion, and I am honestly happiest singing. More recently I have developed a passion for musical theatre as it incorporates other things I like such as acting. However I have no experience or training in singing or theatre which makes it difficult to pursue. For my entire life practically I've been interested in the arts: music, singing, writing, acting and so on but I feel like for one it is too late for me to pursue it. I also really love my major(s) and feel passionate about doing things in that field but I also want to do theatre/the arts. I feel so stuck and I worry I will have issues pursuing a career in forensic psychology - I have mental health issues and this past year has been extremely difficult making my school work suffer so I worry I will get burnout and have another bad episode. I wish there was a way to do both somehow because that would make me feel very complete but it seems impossible especially considering how much time both careers need and the importance of work life balance. I am hoping someone has some insight. I apologize if this doesn't make sense

I’d it possible to become an actor at 14 and if so how?
I’ve been wanting to be in the entertainment business for my whole life. Now that I’m 14 and have some skills I want to know how I can make this a possibility.

How to a popular singer How to in the 10% of singers that make it to the big stage??
How to be a popular singer in a short amount of time.

How to memorize monologues quickly? #Spring2024
I am 16 and have an advanced theatre audition that I am going to, I have to memorize two monologues, one comedic and the other dramatic. I have ten days to do it.

How can teenagers realistically portray adults when acting? #Sping2024
I am a 16 year old interested in making my career in film acting, directing, writing, and producing. I am creating a TV sitcom set in 1950s New York. All of my actors will be high schoolers, who will be portraying adults. How can I sell the idea to distributors such as Tubi, even though adult characters are being played by teens.

How could I break into the acting industry in highschool?
Hello! I’m a Highschool theater student and I was wondering how or even if I could go into the big time acting industry in highschool! I think I’m ok at acting so maybe it’s possible!

How do I hire people (actors, set directors, costume artists, musical score orchestras) for my movie-production company ?
How do I hire people (actors, set directors, costume artists, musical score orchestras) for my movie-production company?

I have to take fine arts at my school, but which should I choose if I want to be a doctor? Does it matter at all?
My school has a fine arts requirement to graduate. I would like to become a doctor and am not very interested in art. What genre of classes are best for my situation? My school offers choir, band, orchestra, theatre arts, visual arts, dance, technical theatre, and art history at various levels and subgenres. Does it even matter that much and should I choose any of them? This is high school, by the way!

How should I improve acting/vocals for school musicals/plays?
I'm a middle/high school student who's interested in participating in plays and musicals for my school. I've only been in two in the past and have gotten side/background characters and a narrator. I don't have much experience in acting and I am a self-taught singer. What are some good ways to improve my acting/vocals and to possibly have a better chance in getting a lead role?

When it comes to booking jobs in the performing arts community, is it better to have a degree in Theatre Performance/Acting or Musical Theatre and why?
For some context, I'm currently a student at my college of choice, and am pursuing a degree in Theatre Performance currently. I truly love every aspect of performing, from live theatre and plays and musicals, to voice over work, and film and television. However, recently I've been debating whether or not to switch to the Musical Theatre program because I do also love musical theatre. I just want future agenices/managers/casting directors to see my versatility and be able to audition for all these types of jobs from all the areas I listed above.

Theatre degrees?
What is a good alternative or a job that you can get with a theatre degree? Are there any well-paying jobs with a theatre degree, and can I do theatre for a living?

How do I find acting auditions near me?
My Name is Aureale. I'm a 16 year old African American in the 11th grade. I love acting and singing. They're both my passions. I want to one day be an actor. But I don't know how to find auditions.

What is the hardest part of becoming a professional actor or techie?
Most people talk about how they enjoy their life as an actor now, but never share the struggle of becoming one. I would like to know the real process of going into acting. I know it’s not all smooth sailing so I would like to know what struggle I could face if I go down this route.

Major and minor in different subjects?
Is it possible to major in biology and minor in musical theater at a college that offers both of these classes? I really want to go into the medical field but I've been doing musical theater for 7 years and want to keep doing it during college. im even open to considering musical theater as a career path.

What is it like applying to colleges for musical theatre?
Is it a lengthy process? Is it different than applying for other majors?