Paths other than theater?

Gwen · Paths other than theater?

There's been a lot of conflict in my mind lately on whether I'm going to continue acting when I get older...it's actually gotten to a point where it gnaws away at my sanity on a constant basis.
I feel like I'm at an utter loss here. My main passions are acting and writing, and after that...I have no clue. I know I can't really make a living off either of those. Besides that, confidence has always been an issue for me...

But anyway to get to my question: Have you ever considered doing something else besides theater, and for what reason(s)?

shakalakababy

well music composition has always been a huge passion of mine and i probably have more talent in that then theater but again that's a hard thing to make a career out of.

I'm pretty sure i'll end up being a theater or music teacher.

As far as a career outside of the arts? Honestly never thought about it, don't really see it happening. This stuff is my life so even if i just got to share my joy for it by teaching it to students i'd be happy.

PappyCat

I've considered a ton of different career options and degree options. In all honesty, if you haven't at least considered other options, you really should. How do you know that theatre is the thing that makes you the most happy if you don't try other things?

I started out as a performer in theatre, but as college approached, I knew I didn't want to focus on acting. I went, hoping I'd be inspired, and excited just to be learning about theatre in general and I've found I really like props, stage management, makeup, that sort of thing.

A lot of people here go into departments thinking acting is the way to go, and switch to technical theatre.

Robinflamingo

I think an overall education in the arts (technical theatre, design, business) will help both with a career in theatre, and a career OUT of theatre. To me, even a professional actor can benefit from understanding the other aspects of theatre. And if you want to direct, it's even more important to get experience in all aspects.

If you aren't sure you want to go into the arts, DON'T. It's one of those cruel mistresses that will suck the life out of you if you don't love it so much that you wake up every morning singing show tunes. Metaphorically speaking, of course, but you know what I mean Smile

Other careers that use theatre skills? Just about every single one from the ministry to public relations, to leadership, to teaching.

MusicalGal1194

I am exactly the same way as you. Ever since I was a little girl, I showed a lot of natural talent in writing, and even now I love it still. But then I discovered theater, and even though I didn't have as much natural talent (I have some of course!) I loved it just as much as or more than writing. My parents are always telling me that they know I'm going to be a writer, but I know in my heart I want to persue acting. It's tough, really really tough. Because I have a lot of "school smarts", my parents have always wanted me to go into something...well, more academic than "just acting". But acting is my passion and I'm going to follow it.
Anyway, the moral of that story was, the only time I considered doing anything other than acting is when I considered writing as a career. But I don't think I could make enough money to support myself out of college on just writing.

mizzie

I always had the closet dream of being a techie. Lighting or sound.

Too bad I am completely inept at anything technical.

JIJane

Musical gal - sounds like my life story! And I am doing both now and so can you if you want to. Smile

wicked_boy

I've tried to come up with other career options, but anything I think of is theatre - related.

LisaKitty

Um ... just wanted to point out that it is not only possible, but completely feasible to continue acting throughout adulthood and do something "practical" as a career. The two are not mutually exclusive.

Just sayin' ... Cool

Catherine

All I can really think of is pyschology, thats the only thing I'm interested in, other than theatre and cello. And pyschology is just an interest, whereas theatre is a passion.

Gwen

I'm well aware of it LisaKitty.

Kiwi

Well, costume design, but that's still theatre-related. I've also considered some kind of science. But whatever it is, I'm going to major in something in addition to majoring in theatre so I have something to fall back on other than just waitressing.

Gwen	Paths other than theater? There's been a lot of conflict in my mind lately on whether I'm going to continue acting when I get older...it's actually gotten to a point where it gnaws away at my sanity on a constant basis. I feel like I'm at an utter loss here. My main passions are acting and writing, and after that...I have no clue. I know I can't really make a living off either of those. Besides that, confidence has always been an issue for me... But anyway to get to my question: Have you ever considered doing something else besides theater, and for what reason(s)?
shakalakababy	well music composition has always been a huge passion of mine and i probably have more talent in that then theater but again that's a hard thing to make a career out of. I'm pretty sure i'll end up being a theater or music teacher. As far as a career outside of the arts? Honestly never thought about it, don't really see it happening. This stuff is my life so even if i just got to share my joy for it by teaching it to students i'd be happy.
PappyCat	I've considered a ton of different career options and degree options. In all honesty, if you haven't at least considered other options, you really should. How do you know that theatre is the thing that makes you the most happy if you don't try other things? I started out as a performer in theatre, but as college approached, I knew I didn't want to focus on acting. I went, hoping I'd be inspired, and excited just to be learning about theatre in general and I've found I really like props, stage management, makeup, that sort of thing. A lot of people here go into departments thinking acting is the way to go, and switch to technical theatre.
Robinflamingo	I think an overall education in the arts (technical theatre, design, business) will help both with a career in theatre, and a career OUT of theatre. To me, even a professional actor can benefit from understanding the other aspects of theatre. And if you want to direct, it's even more important to get experience in all aspects. If you aren't sure you want to go into the arts, DON'T. It's one of those cruel mistresses that will suck the life out of you if you don't love it so much that you wake up every morning singing show tunes. Metaphorically speaking, of course, but you know what I mean Other careers that use theatre skills? Just about every single one from the ministry to public relations, to leadership, to teaching.
MusicalGal1194	I am exactly the same way as you. Ever since I was a little girl, I showed a lot of natural talent in writing, and even now I love it still. But then I discovered theater, and even though I didn't have as much natural talent (I have some of course!) I loved it just as much as or more than writing. My parents are always telling me that they know I'm going to be a writer, but I know in my heart I want to persue acting. It's tough, really really tough. Because I have a lot of "school smarts", my parents have always wanted me to go into something...well, more academic than "just acting". But acting is my passion and I'm going to follow it. Anyway, the moral of that story was, the only time I considered doing anything other than acting is when I considered writing as a career. But I don't think I could make enough money to support myself out of college on just writing.
mizzie	I always had the closet dream of being a techie. Lighting or sound. Too bad I am completely inept at anything technical.
JIJane	Musical gal - sounds like my life story! And I am doing both now and so can you if you want to.
wicked_boy	I've tried to come up with other career options, but anything I think of is theatre - related.
LisaKitty	Um ... just wanted to point out that it is not only possible, but completely feasible to continue acting throughout adulthood and do something "practical" as a career. The two are not mutually exclusive. Just sayin' ...
Catherine	All I can really think of is pyschology, thats the only thing I'm interested in, other than theatre and cello. And pyschology is just an interest, whereas theatre is a passion.
Gwen	I'm well aware of it LisaKitty.
Kiwi	Well, costume design, but that's still theatre-related. I've also considered some kind of science. But whatever it is, I'm going to major in something in addition to majoring in theatre so I have something to fall back on other than just waitressing.

The Resource For Musicals

Paths other than theater?