While many theatre lovers grow to be actors themselves, a number of dedicated performing arts gurus find their true calling backstage. Jobs in the theatre world can range from freelancing projects to working full-time. Though tough to break into, it’s an industry full of dynamic opportunity and potential.

Interested in being involved in the theatre? Explore these seven professions:

1. Dramaturg

This fancy-sounding job (sometimes called a “literary manager”) is essential to helping actors, directors and companies as a whole bring a story to life. A dramaturg researches everything from a play’s historical context to the playwright’s own background. Often, they assist costume and set designers in making sure the time period is accurately represented, as well as prepare a packet of information for actors and creatives to dive into when studying a piece’s social or political context. Are you a history buff? A research fiend? Someone who likes compiling comprehensive reports? This job might just be for you!

2. Stage Manager

Some say stage managers are the backbone of any successful theatre production. Along with performing administrative duties such as coordinating transportation for an event or helping the director and production staff, a stage manager is charged with making sure the performance itself goes smoothly. Organization, a knack for taking initiative and a strong knowledge of theatre are required.

3. Teacher

If being onstage isn’t your cup of tea, becoming an acting coach or improv teacher probably isn’t for you. However, there are plenty of other courses of study that call for a theatre nerd’s mind. Teaching a class on the history of theatre, theatre development and Shakespeare are examples of non-acting classes that help educate future generations on what it takes to bring a production to life.

4. Marketing/Public Relations Professional

With many millennials drawn to these fields already, theatre aficionados can find their niche working with an agency or venue that specializes in the performing arts. Marketers seek to promote a show to the general public through social media campaigns, promotions and more. Press representatives coordinate interviews with the media in hopes of getting show coverage. If you seek both the theatre world and business world, these professions might catch your eye.

5. Playwright

Yes, you’ve probably heard of this one, but we think it’s awesome! While playwrights often write in their spare time, this can be rewarding if it’s something you’re invested in pursuing. Working on a passion project like this might not be a full-time job right away, but no play or musical would exist without a dreamer. Playwrights have the power to inspire, empower and create change with words.

6. Costume/Set Designer

Creating the world that a piece of art lives in is no small task. These two creative professions often work on a project-to-project basis — and they’re necessary to the industry. From working with opera houses to contemporary theatres, these artists can take audiences to a new time and place.

7. Casting Director

This job may sound like a piece of cake, but a lot goes into picking the perfect ensemble of cast members. Teaming up with the director, producer and creative team, the casting director must have an acute understanding of what each character brings to the story. Understanding what type of actor is needed, as well as coordinating auditions, is only the beginning of this unique career.

There are plenty more roles in the world of theatre. Share yours in the comments below…

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Having these 5 things will put you ahead of 90% of your competition:

1. Website

As a producer, its alarming to me how many actors (even well-known) don’t have a website at all. Many who do have a site, haven’t updated it in a long time and the aesthetics echo the sentiment. A website is an actors home base, a portfolio of all the great work they have achieved. It should be a living resume that fans and potential employers can go to see how you shine. Think of it as your brands “audition” for people who have never personally watched you perform. A website can also display a level of importance and how serious you take your work.

Actors are busy trying to book auditions and get work, so a website may seem like a daunting task to take on. The important thing is to just get something up. Something is better than nothing. Odds are you know someone dabbling in web design, and if not, there are many platforms you can use to build a website without using code at all.

It can be overwhelming to know where to start, so I have highlighted some things below to help you get up and running. I also always recommend building your own site so you can update it without waiting for a developer. Also, developers are expensive and can hold your site somewhat hostage. It’s worth it to struggle a bit and teach yourself how to build it.

Click Here To Learn How To Setup, Build And Launch Your Personal Actor Website

If you are building your own site, I recommend:

For website hosting, we recommend Bluehost 

For Domains, we recommend Godaddy

For Web Platform we recommend WordPress which is available as a package with Bluehost

Wix is also recommended. It’s a user-friendly drag and drop builder that requires no coding or development experience. WordPress doesn’t require coding, but has more of a learning curve than the others. WordPress powers a large percentage of the sites online and is definitely a standard you should shoot for eventually.

2. Professional Resume

Auditioning and getting professional acting work is hard, so give casting directors every single reason possible to hire you. Present them with a clean, organized, and professionally put together resume of work. Don’t use crazy fonts or write short novels about each credit you list. Make it visually easy for directors to look at. Similar to a website, this is a birds eye view of how and why you may be qualified to get the part. Remember, it should only be 1 page that highlights your best work.

Resume format depends on certain factors, for a SAG example, GO HERE

Tip: Take the time to update your resume frequently. After you finish a job, add it on to avoid gaps between work.

Bonus: How To Write An Eye-Catching Acting Resume

3. Professional Headshots

Needless to say, looks and appearance are a big deal in the acting industry. A professional headshot is one of the best things you can have to give you an advantage at casting. Sorry folks, a great Instagram with a “sweet” filter does not cut it. A headshot should be viewed as an investment in your career; it’s a business expense. They are expensive and they are necessary, no way around it.

Casting directors will see dozens of people; don’t count on them to remember everything you did at auditions. When they review your resume and headshot for consideration, this is your chance to immediately tell them you are a professional and invest in your craft.

Bonus: 9 Hacks For Cheaper Headshots

4. Social Media Presence

Social media is an amazing way to get your brand and work out to people immediately. The more fans and followers we have, the more appealing we will be when it comes to being cast in a show. Why? Because producers are taking a risk and putting money into a show, so the pressure is on to sell tickets. With acting, our jobs only last as long as the run of the show, so we need to take steps to build our own unique audience. If we do, we can alert our loyal followers of the next project and immediately fill the seats, thus increasing exposure for the show. Take a look at Jeremy Jordan’s twitter account; he has 107,000 followers. (AKA free advertising platform)

Besides selling tickets and getting work, fans love to see what you are up to. Acting is an exciting life full of intrigue for those in other fields. They are hungry to hear about your experiences as a professional.

Tip: Don’t feel pressure to be on every social media platform, try picking one to focus on and be consistent with. I’d recommend Twitter or Instagram. Post often, even when it seems there is not much to post about. People are interested in your routines and love to hear about the little details.

Bonus: 5 Broadway Stars Who Are Crushing Twitter

5. Business Cards

I know what you’re thinking, why carry around these old dinosaurs in our pockets in 2017? The answer is you never know whom you will meet and where you will meet them. Connections and relationships are 9/10 of the theatre industry law, so be prepared at any given moment. If you meet a big time casting director or producer at a mixer or at the local Starbucks, giving them a business card can be your foot in the door, a way to leave a lasting mark with them on their busy day. It’s not a great feeling when someone asks you for a card and you don’t have one, I’ve been there before. You may not need them often, but you will thank the lucky stars when the time comes.

Tip: VistaPrint makes it easy to design your own business cards

Think of something else or have questions? I’d love to hear from you, just leave a reply below…

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