When I was looking into university, and while I was a student, I was always posed the question: “Do you want to flip burgers for the rest of your life?” and “You can’t do anything with an arts degree.” This never really bothered me, since I knew a degree was a slip of paper that would slightly help me in getting a full-time job out of fast food. It gave me a leg up, in a sense. It also never bothered me because the Theatre Department made it apparent that we, as post-graduate students, could still get a job even if it wasn’t in the arts.
Post-graduating the questions changed to “What can you do with a theatre degree?” and “Do you regret it?” The more I was asked, the more I began thinking about it. Do I regret it? Should I have pursued another degree?
Being 18 years old, I had no idea what in the world I wanted to do for a living. In college, you’re expected to know. Some people know they want to be a teacher, others know they want to be a doctor. But me? I had no clue. I wasn’t even sure I was going to go to college but there I was, filling out college applications with the age old question: “What is your intended major?”
I toyed with the idea of Early and Primary Education as well as Deaf Education, but ultimately I chose Theatre. I decided that I was going to college to study theatre and have a “useless degree”. But I loved theatre and found a deep love for it while in high school and wanted to continue pursuing it.
I spent a lot of time researching acting professionally, and that’s what I thought I wanted to do. But when I got into college, I wasn’t casted in the Fall show, but instead was an Assistant Stage Manager. From that point on, I began drifting away from acting and diving head first into Stage Management. I still loved acting but found more love for being behind the scenes, and running the show. I began thinking of Stage Management as a career, specifically as a touring Stage Manager. But after speaking to one of my favorite people (shout out to Josh!) and discussing Stage Management as a potential career, I decided not to pursue it. If you don’t know, the arts are not the best when it comes to a living wage…
So, here I am, 3 years later with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre. I’m not really using it so… Was it worth it? Was 3 years of studying and an endless amount of debt worth a degree that I am technically not using?
In my opinion, yes. It was absolutely worth it and I would do it again in a heartbeat.
I don’t regret my degree because I loved it. It was an escape for me and gave me a sense of purpose. I am grateful that my 18 year old self chose to pursue something that she was passionate about, rather than chasing a degree that might’ve burned me out by now. I enjoyed that part of my life, stress and all, and am eternally grateful for the experiences I had during those long tech weeks, thought-provoking classes, and endless support from those around me.
Spending 3 years in a theatre program taught me countless skills: team work, communication, and understanding, to name a few. These skills are invaluable in my current position.
But beyond those skills, theatre taught me empathy and how to interact with people from all walks of life. When we were able to return to in person auditions, I noticed a significant increase in the diversity of people who came through the doors — non-theatre students, as well as individuals from outside the college. It was an enriching experience that helped me understand the broad spectrum of people around me. Which in turn, has helped me in my day to day life.
I think these experiences contributed to my ability to succeed in higher education. I love helping people, and though my work isn’t creative in the same way, it’s still meaningful. I’ve gained a deeper understanding of how college can be confusing and overwhelming, and I enjoy supporting others through that process. Along with that, I found that theatre gives me something to speak to students about. I understand the expectations a department may have on a student and how a course load can be overwhelming, especially as a first generation student.
Would I have gained some of these skills if I had chosen a different major? Probably. But Theatre helped shape me into a well-rounded individual, and it fueled my passion for what I do. It taught me hard work, dedication, and the importance of following something you love, even when the path isn’t always linear.
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