What Can I Do With A Major In Acting?

Introduction

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting is a professionally oriented degree designed for students who plan to pursue a career in theatre and related fields. Training focuses on three principal areas: stage acting, voice and speech, and physical performance. The Bachelor of Arts degree in drama is a broader more liberal arts program that allows students who wish to major in drama a more general course of study.

The curriculum in acting develops an understanding and beginning mastery of the fundamental principles of realistic acting and a beginning development of performance skills across a range of styles and historical genres; an understanding and application of the fundamentals of good stage speech and vocal production; an understanding of the basic principles of physical communication and the physical structures of character; an ability to function professionally, effectively and cooperatively as a member of a performance ensemble; and an understanding of and ability to assess and critique their own creative process.

The glamour of actor, director, and producer jobs attracts a large number of people; this supply of potential workers, coupled with the lack of formal entry requirements, will continue to produce keen competition for these jobs.

Employment of actors, directors, and producers is expected to grow through the year 2006. Rising foreign demand for American productions, combined with a growing domestic market-fueled by the growth of cable television, satellite television, home movie rentals, and television syndications-should stimulate demand for actors and other production personnel. Growth of opportunities in recorded media should be accompanied by increasing jobs in live productions. Growing numbers of people who enjoy live theatrical entertainment for excitement and aesthetics will attend stage productions. Touring productions of Broadway plays and other large shows are providing new opportunities for actors and directors. However, employment may be somewhat affected by government funding for the arts-a decline in funding could dampen future employment growth.

A Sample of Related Occupations

Related Occupations Related Occupations Related Occupations
Stage Actor Touring Actor Film or Television Actor
Theatre Director Film or Television Director Theatre Teacher
Playwright Broadcast Journalist Radio and Television Announcer
Clown Mime Storyteller
Fight Choreographer Opera Performer Singer
Stand-up Comedian Stunt Person Dialect Coach
Agent Publicist Back-stage Technician
   
 
Types of Employers
Private and Non-profit Organizations
 

Regional Theatres

Professional Theatres

Community Theatres

Educational Theatres

Industrial Filmmakers

Private Schools

Colleges/Universities

Radio Stations

Television Stations

Film Studios

Cruise Ships

Dinner/Cabaret Theatres

Theme/Amusement Parks

 
Government Agencies
 

K-12 Public Education

Public Universities and Colleges

Public Radio and Television Stations

Related Web Links

 

Professional Associations

For additional career information, see the Occupational Outlook Handbook