Why I Don't Recommend Pursuing a Career in Theatre

Hannah Crawford, Guest Editorial

When I entered college, I decided to get a degree in counseling. I had a huge passion for helping our youth and thought I would be good at it. Little did I know that a few years later, I would end up with a career in the performing arts. 

The counseling path just wasn’t for me. I started volunteering at Juvenile Justice Systems, and it was too much for me. However, more than that, I wanted to give youth something constructive to do to stay out of trouble versus just talking to someone about their problems. 

It was as if the stage lights came on for me, and I could finally see my future laid out in front of me. I became very attached to theatre and all it had to offer. From directing, stage managing, and performing, I fell in love with all aspects. There is a bond that theatre lovers have that I haven’t found anywhere else. It was a home away from home. A place where I belonged. 

After I left college, I became quickly attuned to the harsh realities of having a theatre career. Let me preface this next section by saying I’m not discouraging theatre involvement–but rather encouraging prioritizing the security of a full-time job where you can be financially stable. 

The Harsh Realities of a Theatre Career: Financial & Job Security 

When I made the leap into graduating with a theatre degree, my dad was not happy. I’ll never forget him telling me I should take up another degree or a minor in business. I was disappointed in my own father's lack of support. I knew my dad didn’t like change and didn’t understand those who chose jobs that weren’t “blue-collar.”

Little did I know that his discouragement from pursuing a career in theatre had more to do with his understanding that there is no real job security and financial stability in the arts. (Yes, I realize there are exceptions, and there are those who make a very healthy living. However, from my experience, this is not the case. Everyone I know—even theatre owners—struggles financially and mentally.) 

Finding a full-time job with benefits in the theatrical world is rare, if not impossible. Most jobs are based on gigs. As we all know, gigs vary and change from season to season. While you might have a theatre that likes your work and constantly contracts with you – at the end of the day, that’s all it is – a contract position. 

The pay that is included in these gigs is sometimes so minuscule that over time, you spend more on gas, food, and time than you do with the money you receive from the gig. Straight out of college, I contracted with a theatre as an assistant stage manager. My pay was $300 for a 3-month job. Yes, I was clearly insane for accepting that. 

There was a point where I had a full-time theatre career shortly after this above gig.  However, the job came with no benefits. Not only did I not make enough money to cover my bills, but I also had to get a second job working nights until 2 AM. I did this for two years. When I tell you I was stressed and beyond burnt out, that would be putting it lightly. 

The Harsh Realities of a Theatre Career: Mental & Physical Health

Putting aside the issue of the financial security of theatre, your mental and physical health should also be considered. When you dedicate your life full-time to a performing arts position, there is no reprieve. You go from one show to the next. Then, when the summer comes around, you’re doing summer camps. There is quite literally no break. 

From the full-time theatre position that I had for a few years, without benefits let me remind you, I will never forget that I never took time off, ever.

Finally, about my third year in, my nephew was graduating and I wanted to attend his graduation celebration. Well in advance, I informed my direct boss of this, and he was completely fine with it. The night came, and sure enough, about 30 minutes into it I got a phone call “Remind me again why you can’t be here tonight? I know you said something came up - but the owner isn’t happy at all.”

When I tell you that I was floored, that would be putting it mildly. Can you imagine being a dedicated professional who never took vacations, and the one time you took one night off, there was an issue?

Many jobs are grueling in all industries, but through my years working in theatre, I have found that there never seems to be a healthy “work” and “life” balance. Theatres tend to think that everything revolves around their shows. As someone who has directed and produced shows, yes, I know how it feels to think that way. But at what point do we put our artists first?

How to Have Theatre in Your Life Without Making It Your Career

While I don’t recommend pursuing a career in theatre, I do recommend keeping theatre in your life. There is so much beauty about being involved in something greater than ourselves—whether that’s producing a thought-provoking production that can help incite change in audience members or putting on a classic comedy that will have everyone roaring with laughter. 

I suggest finding something you’re good at outside of theatre and pursuing that as a career. If you’re in college now and reading this, I recommend double major in something like business\theatre or marketing\theatre. Many theatre programs actively discourage double majors; of course, they will insist that a theatre major requires 100% of your time (ignore them). But if you know that you cannot handle a double major, I would recommend a major in an unrelated theatre degree and then taking theatre classes on the side.

For all the love you may have for theatre if you can’t pay your bills, I can promise you that you will live a stressed-out life. Nothing is worse than coming home to an eviction notice on your door or choosing between paying the light bill or your car insurance. 

Once you’ve pursued a career outside of the arts, start becoming involved in shows in the area. The great thing about not having to be financially dependent on getting every gig is that you can pick and choose what you want to be involved in. 

At the end of the day, theatre is a powerful art form that brings immense joy and deep connections. However, as a full-time career, it often demands more sacrifices than most people realize—financially, mentally, and physically. While some do break through and find success, I have found that the struggle never ends for the vast majority. 

Save your wallet and your mental health. Get a job that will allow you to be financially stable and maintain a work-life balance, and then hand-select the shows you want to be involved in because of your passion.