For some people, the idea of working in an office every day from 9 to 5 is never something they have aspired to achieve. If you love the theater and all things creative, then spending your working day in an office is probably your idea of a career nightmare. For many creative people, being unable to express themselves and constrained by the boundaries of a regular job can feel stifling. If you are hoping to follow a career that allows for self-expression and lets your creativity flow freely, then you may have come up against some barriers to making this happen. As a career in the performing arts is often considered an alternative choice, making your career dreams a reality can feel incredibly challenging. Although your job aspirations are not regarded as mainstream, this does not mean that you cannot enjoy a long and successful career in the theater. Here are some of the ways you can build a career in the performing arts and follow your dreams:
Consider Your Options
Your first step towards a career in performing arts is to consider your options. Working in the theater does not necessarily mean that you have to be front and center on stage. Instead, you may prefer soaking up the atmosphere of theater life from behind the scenes. There are loads of behind-the-scenes roles available, from theatrical makeup artists to set designers. Or, you may prefer to put your writing skills into practice and write your own play. With so many different choices to consider, it is worth taking your time to decide which is the right choice for you.
Build Your Experience
When you have considered which aspect of performing arts you would like to work in, you will need to start building up your experience. You may choose to take part in small-scale productions in your local area or with your school. Alternatively, you could put yourself forward for work experience at a theater near you to get a better feel for the job. Once you have experienced working in the theater first-hand, you may decide that you prefer to be performing on stage or choose to take a different backstage role. Gaining experience is the only way to know for sure which position is best for you.
Study for a Performing Arts Degree
Gaining a recognized qualification, such as a performing arts degree, is an excellent way to build your industry knowledge and gain the skills needed to pursue a full-time career in the arts. There are many different performing arts degrees available, so you will need to do some research to decide on the right course. One way to determine which college to study at and which course to take is to research the faculty staff. You may find prominent names in performing arts working at specific schools, such as Travis Preston of CalArts. Attending a school with an inspirational and highly-regarded figure brings many learning opportunities and an added touch of prestige to your studies.