Career Feature: Finding work in theatre

Do you dream of working in the theatre? Do you enjoy working behind the scenes or in the spotlight? Finding work in the theatre is not easy, but it can be done with hard work and true dedication. You may be wondering where to even begin to find this type of employment. I have worked in theatre before and have some wonderful references and experience in case I ever want to return to the field. It is a great career to pursue for the right person and here I will give you some tips on how to get started:

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1. Start with the right high school and college courses if you are still in school. Take every theatre class you can in high school and college. I enrolled in theatre classes which taught me behind the scenes trades and also acting classes which prepared me for a possible acting career – it's best to be versatile in this field.

2. Work in volunteer or little theatre to get your feet wet. Getting your start in the theatre can mean that you may have to start small despite your big dreams. Begin working with community theatre or theatre productions the high school or college level. If you are looking for more professional experience check into interning at a local professional theatre in your area.




3. When looking for work at a professional theatre you will want to highlight internships/externships, relevant college courses, and actual work experience on your resume. Every bit of experience and knowledge helps in this field. Again, being versatile is key.

4. If you are looking at working in theatre management, business courses and experience will count for a lot as well as creativity. Students generally take courses like accounting and business administration geared towards the arts. It may be necessary to get a masters degree in arts admin if you are more interested in the administrative aspect of the theatre.

5. It helps to have various knowledge and experience in every aspect of the theatre. When I was in college I took classes which taught me principles of set design, stage management, and theatre history as well as acting classes. You will draw from these classes when working in the theatre full-time. Also, being knowledgeable in technology and computers is a necessity as many of the big time shows run with computerized lighting and sets. Theatre Management will require computer usage as well.

Working in the theatre whether it is professionally or on a small scale will teach you many things. One of those things is the art of collaboration. Collaboration is something that can be brought to many aspects of the work world. It can teach comradery and a sense of trust, something of which gets lost in the world we live in today. Working in the theatre can be both rewarding and lead to a career of creativity and fun. To learn more about various careers and the best job search engine on the web go to www.hound.com.



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