Theater and drama students know there's no business like show business.
But before they're ready for Broadway or Hollywood, actors need to learn the
craft. There are many educational options for a career on stage or screen.
Many colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees in drama or
theater. Students can also opt to do a master's or PhD. Most students
who take a PhD want to teach at the college or university level.
You can also take a two-year program at the community college level.
Many of these programs will give you two years of credit at a university if
you decide later that you want to do a four-year degree.
There are also many private theater schools that focus entirely
on theater training, rather than the broad curriculum you get at a college
or university.
One example is the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, which operates campuses
in New York and California. It offers a two-year professional program leading
to an associate's degree, as well as evening, weekend and summer programs.
You may want to enroll in a program accredited by the National Association
of Schools of Theater. While accreditation is not mandatory, accredited programs
have met certain academic standards.
Theater classes cover set design, costume design, history of theater,
stage management, acting, technique and music. A drama or theater student
can expect to become well-rounded in culture and communication.
Students who major or minor in theater develop more than just acting, producing
and directing techniques.
"Students will have the ability to understand the different styles of acting
and theater, [the] ability to communicate honestly and openly and a good foundation
of knowledge of technical theater and construction," says Carrie Morgan. She
is a theater professor at Oswego University in New York.
Consider acting in high school. Do as many productions as possible.
This includes acting as well as stage management and scriptwriting. Public
speaking courses are also helpful.
Paul Mulholland is the academic counselor for the drama department at a
university. He recommends not only performing in productions, but also attending
as many theater performances as possible.
"I would suggest that prospective students should try to attend as much
theater as they can, and if possible follow this up with analytical evaluation
of the various aspects of the productions seen," he says.
Besides tuition, theater students can expect to shell out money for books.
Other fees include student organization membership fees and fees for things
like costumes and make-up.
Links
Occupational Outlook Handbook
For more information related to this field of study, see: Actors
For more information related to this field of study, see: Producers
and Directors
Playbill Online
Magazine focusing on Broadway theater
American Academy of Dramatic Arts
An example of a school offering related training
Talkin' Broadway
Find out what's playing and read some reviews