What Young Theatre Professionals Need to Know Before Graduating

Troy University

Hannah Crawford, OnStage Blog Columnist

I would like you to know that I have a fancy degree. A fancy performing arts bachelor’s degree. And I get to put those fancy initials after my name.

Well, I thought it was super fancy. That is, until I graduated. 

I did the work in college. I was involved in numerous performances, including classroom performances, recitals, galas, musicals, and plays. In each of these, I played a different role in making them successful, from acting, directing, and tech to writing and more. 

I grew up in a religious family in Florida, so when I graduated, I had two options: 1. Bob Jones University, or 2. Pensacola Christian College (PCC). Both of these colleges are incredibly strict and conservative in their Christianity.  And in the “independent, fundamental, Bible-believing, Baptist” churches I grew up in, these were two common schools all kids went to.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t in the place in life back then to realize I could make my own decisions. But that’s a story for another time. So, let’s just suffice it to say that I didn’t even know I had a choice to find another. 

On paper, I had the degree, which means I’m fully prepared and know what I’m getting myself into in the theatre world, right?

However, once I entered the “real world,” I felt grossly unprepared in many ways. There seemed to be entire parts of the theatre world that I had not been taught. 

Now, I want to make it crystal clear here that I don’t have regrets. Yes, I realize that this is something people say. But I really mean it when I say it. 

I just recently wrote a piece about a nasty divorce I went through and how I had to find my way back to theatre. I don’t even regret being married to the wrong person for 10 years. I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it weren’t for that experience.

And I wouldn’t be the theatre professional I am right now if it weren’t for my college experiences that were less than desirable.

There are many things I wish I had known before getting into theatre, such as pay, equity vs. non-equity, Broadway life, where the best jobs are, how to hone a specific skill set, and a whole host of other things. But one thing that stands out to me the most is “how to get work.”

Figure Out How to Get Work On Your Own

Okay, those words weren’t exactly said to me. In fact, no words were said at all about how to get a job in theatre. In fact, looking back, the only thing we were encouraged to do was be a Christian School Drama Teacher. 

If I can just sum it up in two words: no thanks. 

It’s not that I never wanted to be a drama teacher. My heart is in working with youth, which is why most of my career has been spent working around kids' theatre. However, I had no desire to work for PCC’s school. I wanted more than anything to get out of the “cult-like atmosphere.” I can’t tell you how depressed I was, even so much as ending up in the hospital at one point.

I’m fresh out of college, and I came back to my hometown just knowing I was going to find a job! (Well…I grew up in Clermont, Florida…so orange groves…lots of orange groves.) Not a lot of theatres around. So, I had to look in Orlando for any real theatre work. 

Finally, I found my first gig…wait, gig? What is a gig? You mean to tell me I’m not getting a full-time job with benefits and two weeks' paid vacation off the bat?

I sure hope that gave you a good chuckle, because I could barely type it all out without laughing at how naive I was back then.

I did three months' worth of work as an ASM for $300. No, don’t worry, you didn’t read that incorrectly. 

$300 for 3 months.

I quickly had to learn how to negotiate for myself after that. I also had a big dose of reality that gig-to-gig work right out of college would not sustain me financially. I had to get a day job as a cashier.

Learning How to Sell Myself

I’m pretty sure that will be the absolute oddest header I will ever use in my writing. 

I was never taught in school how to showcase my talent. When I was in school, my work spoke for itself. And I was graded and given opportunities because I was paying the school to provide those opportunities to me.

But in the real world, I quickly learned I had to find a way to set myself apart. Because guess what? There are dozens of directors, set builders, lighting designers, and costume extraordinaires. What’s so special about me?

 Based on my experience, theatres that are willing to pay for work rarely give recent college graduates a chance. If it’s a choice between someone who has worked in the community and has a reputation and “knows someone”, they will be picked over the college kid with a degree every time.

Suddenly, I had to learn what a portfolio was and how to build a resume. Simple things that should have been taught to me in school, but were not.

I gained most of my experience working as a non-paid volunteer in a community theatre. I am beyond grateful to them, and I would not be who I am today had it not been for their teaching me youth coaching, lighting design, stage management, set design, and more.

Once I gained more experience, I began building a portfolio and resume, and then I had to go out and get them for myself. This wasn’t school, where my teacher reached out to let me know I'd been selected for the “director role” because it was my senior year.

I had to go up against many extremely talented theatre professionals. 

I would say that I felt very uncomfortable selling myself, but that would be a lie. I’m very extroverted around people, so I thrive on talking. I’m also inquisitive at heart. I love to learn, and I’m not ashamed to ask questions. 

What school taught me was discipline and hard work, as well as a love for theatre and what I could do with it to help struggling youth trying to find their place in life.

Let’s boil this whole article down to one simple phrase: you can’t learn everything in a classroom.

You need to meet people, make mistakes, try different things out, and figure out what works for you as you go along. It doesn’t mean that you’re unprepared; it just means that there is always more to learn.

After all, isn’t that the beauty of theatre? That there is always more to uncurtain.