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WHAT THEATRE MAJORS LEARN:<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n THE ADVANTAGES THEATRE MAJORS\u00a0<\/b>\u00a0HAVE FOR\u00a0<\/b>ALL<\/b><\/span>\u00a0<\/b>JOBS<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n or….<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n What Can You “Do” with a Theatre Major?\u00a0<\/b>\u00a0Plenty!<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n 25 Special Advantages YOU Have.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n by\u00a0Louis E. Catron<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n _______________<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Of course theatre majors can “do” theatre.\u00a0 But they also develop a neatly large number of highly valuable skills that make them valuable employees for\u00a0<\/span>any<\/span>\u00a0job.\u00a0 This article seeks to help you recognize your special advantages as a theatre major….more advantages than almost all other liberal arts grads have.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In somewhat different form, this was first published in\u00a0<\/span>Dramatics<\/span>\u00a0magazine.\u00a0 It has since been re-printed in various other publications, and it also appears on internet sites hosted by colleges and universities.\u00a0 I am deeply appreciative to learn that many college theatre departments also have posted it on their bulletin boards.\u00a0 I’ve gotten interesting letters.\u00a0 For all that, thank you!<\/span><\/p>\n _______________<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I spoke to a group of business leaders about our college’s theatre program not long ago, and after my remarks we had an interesting discussion about what theatre students do and learn.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The executives were particularly interested in hiring people with qualities like discipline, dependability, loyalty, and leadership, qualities that theatre students learn because they\u00a0<\/span>must<\/span><\/i>\u00a0to be effective members of a production team.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 One CEO told the group that her company has found that theatre-trained applicants are valuable employees because they’re energetic, enthusiastic, and able to work under pressure. She pointed out that they generally have polished communications and human relations skills, and they’re experienced at working as members of a team toward a common goal.\u00a0 Most importantly, she said, theatre graduates have a can-do confidence based on their experience of successfully meeting difficult challenges.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “Theatre students have done extremely well with us,”\u00a0<\/i>she said,\u00a0“and we usually hire them because they’re well-disciplined workers who learn quickly and<\/i>\u00a0give of themselves to the company.”<\/i><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Another business leader agreed:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n “We like to hire theatre students,”<\/i>\u00a0he said, “but it is a shame that when they apply to us they don’t seem to realize their strengths and advantages.”\u00a0<\/i><\/strong><\/span>(Note his last phrase!)<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Not all managers are as enlightened as those executives\u00a0 about the value of a theatre education in many apparently unrelated kinds of work.\u00a0 (When you apply for a job, you’ll have to teach the personnel manager what special advantages you offer the company.)\u00a0 But the conversation started me thinking about what theatre students learn.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 It seems to me that, quite apart from the special skills that they learn to use onstage and backstage, theatre graduates enter the job market with important points in their favor.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 An examination of a theatre degree’s value in finding work outside of theatre is important both for\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n (a) students who are determined to study theatre and make it their life’s work, and\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n (b) those who are only considering a theatre major among a number of other options.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 For group “a,” it is highly likely that at some point in their lives they’ll have to seek non-theatre employment, either permanently or as a way of keeping body and soul together while they pursue a theatre career. For group “b,”\u00a0<\/span>“What can you do with a theatre major?<\/span><\/i>” is a question of fundamental importance.<\/span><\/p>\n The “two types of jobs”<\/b><\/p>\n John Munschauer writes in\u00a0<\/span>Jobs for English Majors and Other Smart People<\/span>\u00a0that there are just two types of jobs:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Theatre training can be valuable preparation for many of the innumerable careers that fall in the second category.<\/span><\/p>\n You need to be aware of the many skills you learn as a theatre major.\u00a0 Really.\u00a0 You’re a better candidate for employment than perhaps you know.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n And you need to be sure you let prospective employers know how well you are prepared– better prepared, in fact, than students who majored in most other fields.\u00a0 The following discussion points out some special advantages you have–25 of ’em, and you can probably add more.<\/b><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.8.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/wou.edu\/theatre-dance\/files\/2021\/02\/32446516640_eb8c879881_k.jpg” title_text=”32446516640_eb8c879881_k” _builder_version=”4.8.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”1%|2%|1%|2%|true|true”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.8.2″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n Here’s a list of twenty-five skills, traits, and qualities of personality that are usually well-developed in individuals who complete four years of undergraduate theatre study.<\/p>\n Take special note of them.\u00a0 They are more extensive and important than perhaps you recognize.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As you think about them, consider how many of these advantages are unique to theatre majors–and that you have\u00a0far\u00a0<\/i>more advantages than majors in most other disciplines.<\/p>\n Many students find that theatre helps them develop the confidence that’s essential to speaking clearly, lucidly, and thoughtfully.<\/span><\/p>\n Acting onstage teaches you how to be comfortable speaking in front of large audiences, and some of your theatre classes will give you additional experience talking to groups.\u00a0 Furthermore, your work on crews has taught you that clear, precise, and well-organized oral communications are best.\u00a0 Oral communication skills are so important to some employers that they often send management trainees to special workshops.\u00a0 You already have an advantage.<\/span><\/p>\n Most people expect theatre students to exhibit creativity in such areas as acting, design, playwrighting or directing, and many companies do recruit creative thinkers.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>But employers are not always aware that theatre experience also helps you learn creative problem-solving techniques that are applicable to\u00a0<\/span><\/i>many jobs<\/span><\/i>.\u00a0<\/span><\/i>Tell them!<\/span><\/p>\n For one example, tech theatre work–building scenery, hanging lights, making props, running the show, and so on–is a particularly good way to learn how to think on your feet, to identify problems, evaluate a range of possible solutions, and figure out what to do.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The point here is that your creative ability, what you’ve learned about using creative processes to solve problems,\u00a0<\/span>can be directly applicable to virtually any job you may have.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Most major companies believe that a creative problem-solver will become a good employee.\u00a0 That’s\u00a0you.<\/p>\n But theatre students learn that just “getting it done” isn’t enough.\u00a0 Not at all.\u00a0 It goes beyond that.\u00a0 You learn\u00a0<\/span>to do it correctly.<\/span>\u00a0 In theatre we learn that merely “getting the show on the boards” is pure bush league and totally unacceptable.\u00a0 Whatever your theatrical job–tech, performing, research, management–it has to be done\u00a0<\/span>right<\/span>\u00a0.\u00a0 You learn to take pride in doing things at your very best level.\u00a0 Of course an employer will value that trait.<\/span><\/p>\n Being involved in theatre productions and classes demands commitment and motivation. These are qualities that college theatre faculty members and, in some measure, you and your fellow students, probably already possess.\u00a0 By example, we teach each other that success comes to those who are committed to the task at hand.\u00a0 Few other disciplines you study will so strongly help you develop motivation and commitment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Many theatre students learn to transfer that attribute from theatre to other activities such as classes and jobs.\u00a0 For employers, that positive attitude is essential.<\/span><\/p>\n Your work in theatre companies teaches you how to work effectively with different types of people–often\u00a0<\/span>very<\/span>\u00a0different types!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Theatre demands that participants work together cooperatively for the production to success; there is no room for “we” versus “they” behavior; the “star” diva is a thing of the past.\u00a0 Your colleagues will usually let you know when you violate the team spirit of a production.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In theatre, it’s important that each individual supports the others involved.\u00a0 Employers will be pleased to know that you understand how to be a team player.<\/span><\/p>\n In theatre, you’re often assigned tasks that you must complete without supervision.\u00a0 Crew chiefs.\u00a0 Directing.\u00a0 Putting together this flat, finding that prop, working out characterization outside of rehearsals.\u00a0 It’s left up to you to figure out how best to achieve the goal.\u00a0 The ability to work independently is a trait employers look for in their workers.<\/span><\/p>\n When you’re a student, being involved in theatre forces you to learn how to budget your time.\u00a0 You need to schedule your days very carefully if you want to keep up your grades while you’re busy with rehearsals, work calls, and the other demands that theatre makes on your time.\u00a0 Good time management skills are enormously important to employers.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0Personnel managers call people who approach work with initiative and enterprise “self-starters,” people who do what needs to be done without waiting to be asked, without needing to be told.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The complexities of a theatrical production demand individuals who are willing to voluntarily undertake any task that needs to be done in order for the production to succeed.\u00a0 In theatre, we’re all self-starters.\u00a0 We learn how to take initiative, to move a project from initial concept to finality–and to do it\u00a0<\/span>well.<\/span><\/p>\n Tardiness is never acceptable in theatre because it shows a lack of self-discipline, and more importantly, a lack of consideration for others.\u00a0 Being late for a rehearsal or a work call or failing to finish an assigned task on time damages a production and adversely affects the work of many other people. Theatre demands that you learn to arrive on time and meet scheduled deadlines.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n That’s a job-skill.\u00a0 Employers appreciate workers who are on time and do their work as scheduled.<\/span><\/p>\n In theatre you work within the structure of a set of procedures and rules that deal with everything from shop safety to behavior at auditions, rehearsals and work calls.\u00a0 You learn that you must be a “good follower.”\u00a0 Theatre teaches you the importance of rules, a concept that’s valued in any organization.<\/span><\/p>\n Theatre students, whether they’re memorizing lines or learning the technical aspects of a production, must have the ability to absorb a vast quantity of material quickly–and\u00a0<\/span>accurately<\/span>\u00a0. Your work in college theatre will show that you have the ability to grasp complex matters in a short period of time, a highly-valued trait to employers.<\/span><\/p>\n Note that part of this ability is another significant trait:\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>knowing how to\u00a0<\/span><\/i>listen<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0 If you don’t listen, you’re likely to make some major error that will damage the production.\u00a0 Listening is a skill for any job and an employer will respect your ability to listen and comprehend.<\/span><\/p>\n In theatre you discover that a successful production requires contributions from everybody who’s involved.\u00a0 Mutual respect is essential.\u00a0 Working on a production teaches us to respect and trust the abilities and talents of our colleagues.\u00a0 A prospective employer will appreciate the fact that you have learned the importance of respecting your co-workers.<\/span><\/p>\n Only one person can be in charge of any given portion of a production.\u00a0 The director.\u00a0 The shop foreman.\u00a0 The tech director.\u00a0 The designer.\u00a0 Theatre teaches you to willingly accept and respect authority.\u00a0 That’s a trait employers look for in their workers.<\/span><\/p>\n Theatre students must be adaptable and flexible. You need to be willing to try new ideas, accept new challenges, and have the ability to adapt to constantly changing situations and conditions. In one production you may be a member of the prop crew; in the next perhaps you’re in charge of makeup, publicity or the box office; in a third production you might have a leading role.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A worker who is versatile and flexible is highly valued to most employers; both traits prove that you are able and willing to learn new things.<\/span><\/p>\n Theatre work often demands long hours.\u00a0 There’s pressure–often, as you know well,\u00a0<\/span>a lot<\/span><\/i>\u00a0of pressure.\u00a0 It’s important that everyone involved with a production be able to maintain a cooperative and enthusiastic attitude under pressure.\u00a0 The ability to remain poised under such tensions is an asset that will help you cope with stress in other parts of your life, including your job.<\/span><\/p>\n To work in theatre, you must know who you are and how to project your individuality.\u00a0 But at the same time, it’s important to recognize the need to make yourself secondary to the importance of a production.\u00a0 This is a tricky balance that, although difficult to accomplish, is a valuable trait that employers treasure.<\/span><\/p>\n Theatre people learn to deal with dashed hopes and rejection on a regular basis.\u00a0 Who hasn’t failed to get a role he or she really wanted or a coveted spot on a tech crew?\u00a0 You learn to accept that kind of disappointment and move on.\u00a0 You try again.\u00a0 Employers need workers who are resilient enough to bounce back from this kind of frustration.<\/span><\/p>\n Theatre demands that you learn how to control your life. More than other students, you are forced to make choices between keeping up with responsibilities and doing things you’d rather do. You learn to govern yourself.\u00a0 An employer will respect that ability.<\/span><\/p>\n Many aspects of theatre involve setting and achieving specific goals.\u00a0 In employer’s terms, you’ve learned to be task-oriented and capable of finding practical ways to achieve goals.<\/span><\/p>\n Busy theatre students, involved in a production or other theatre projects while also taking a heavy academic load, must learn to concentrate if they are to succeed.\u00a0 Acting classes in particular stress concentration, and once you have learned that skill as an actor, it can be transferred to other activities.<\/span><\/p>\n As you work in theatre you learn to dedicate your very being–to doing your best to create a successful production.\u00a0 There is dedication to that show…to your home theatre…to theatre as an art.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Many theatre students discover that committing oneself to a given task is deeply rewarding.\u00a0 Employers respect workers who have learned the value of dedication.<\/span><\/p>\n Theatre students sometimes have an opportunity that is seldom given to students in other disciplines–the chance to take on sole responsibility for a special project.\u00a0 Being a production stage manager…a designer…a crew chief…a director.\u00a0 Students with other majors seldom have anything even close to these lessons.\u00a0 You can expect employers to value this unusual ability.<\/span><\/p>\n As a theatre student, you have many opportunities to assume leadership roles.\u00a0 You may, for example, assist a director or designer and lead other volunteers, serve as a crew chief, or even design or direct a production yourself.\u00a0 In the nurturing environment of theatre, faculty help you learn from mistakes so you become a better leader.\u00a0 Leadership training like this can open the possibility for comparable opportunities in a company that hires you.\u00a0 Can you think of any other major that offers this opportunity?<\/span><\/p>\n\n
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25 SPECIAL ADVANTAGES\u00a0<\/span>THE THEATRE MAJOR HAS:
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