Careers Brief - Performing Arts: Contemporary Theatre Performance FdA
Overview
The theatrical industry is highly competitive and demanding, but can be very rewarding. To succeed, it is not enough to have talent and training, but you also need personality, be a quick learner, flexible, be disciplined and determined, enthusiastic and have a high level of fitness and stamina. You must be able to work successfully within a team and be prepared to travel, possibly overseas.
Usually you work short-term contracts with long hours or have a 'portfolio' career with more than one job or freelance. Pay is high for a few but generally low for the level of skill and training required. Income can be erratic with maybe long periods of unemployment.
You can work in commercial theatre, fringe theatre, children's theatre, TV, films, cruises. It is essential for your career to join Equity, the actors union.
Apart from the performing roles in theatre, there are also the technical roles of lighting, stagecraft and sound. You can progress into related careers, such as: choreography, stage management, directing, teaching, dance/drama therapy, theatre management and arts administration.
To consider a wider choice of careers (matched to your interests) use Prospects Planner and other tools listed in the Career Planning section of this Careers Guide.
Go to the website links below to find out more.
Further Study
You may be able to apply for a top-up degree. Top-up degrees are designed as direct progression from Foundation degrees to achieve an Ordinary or Honours degrees, though entry may be selective.
Alternatively, you could transfer onto a related Honours degree. Entry point would depend on your grades, experience and overlap between courses but could be the final year.
Progression is possible for the 3rd year of the BA (Hons) Performance Arts at the University of Winchester. Go to www.winchester.ac.uk/ for course information.
Institutions offering related Top-ups include:
University of Bolton; University of Cumbria; University of Gloucestershire; University of Hertfordshire; University of Huddersfield; Hull College; Leeds Metropolitan University; New College Nottingham; University of Plymouth; Sheffield Hallam University; University of Sunderland; University of Teeside; University of the West of Scotland.
To search degree courses go to www.ucas.com/ (UCAS - Universities and Colleges Admissions Service for the UK). Use the university/college links for course details.
You will need to use UCAS to apply for courses. Contact the Course Tutor of your chosen course to find out your position, before you make your formal application.
Find out how much this will cost you. Where is the funding coming from? Go to the university/college website for information on costs and finance and to www.direct.gov.uk/uni/ for additional help with student support.
With a good Honours degree (First or 2.1), you may progress onto an appropriate higher level Masters and/or PhD doctorate. This could be to develop your area of study to a more in-depth practical and/or academic level or to gain specialist training.
For information on postgraduate study and finance, go to the national online directory at www.prospects.ac.uk/study.htm .
Go to the main section on Further Study of this Guide for more information and help.
Useful Links
Creative Choices - online service supporting the individual and business in the creative industries and cultural sector
Click on side button 'Theatre'
www.ukperformingarts.co.uk/acting
UKP-Arts: UK performance industry training and careers
Also click on sub-heading 'management' + 'technical'
Go to 'articles' and 'career profiles'
The Stage Online magazine
Click on sub-heading 'Advice' for 'How to Guides'
Soundstart - Radio drama tuning in to new talent
www.prospects.ac.uk/starting_out.htm
Graduate Prospects - national careers website for HE students studying in the UK:
Drop down sub-heading 'Jobs' and click on 'Types of jobs' for 'Performing arts'
Drop down sub-heading 'Jobs' and click on 'What jobs would suit me?' to use Prospects Planner
http://careersadvice.direct.gov.uk/helpwithyourcareer/jobprofiles/
Government Careers Advice service - click on 'Performing Arts, Broadcast and Media'
www.connexions-direct.com/jobs4u
Jobs4U Careers Database - click on sub-heading 'Job Families & Articles'
http://jobseekers.direct.gov.uk/
Government Careers database and links to jobs nationally. Search either by clicking onside-heading 'Careers' and choose a category or type in job title.
Equity - UK trade union representing professional performers and other creative workers across the entertainment, creative and cultural industries
BECTU - The Media &Entertainment Union
Check out side-heading '4TALENT'
www.bbc.co.uk/wales/justthejob/jobs
www.guidance-research.org/future-trends/arts/
Warwick Institute for Employment Research - 'Creative and cultural industries' for 'Performing arts'
www.intute.ac.uk/creativearts/
Intute - free online service that helps you to find the best web resources for your studies and research
www.britishcouncil.org/arts-drama.htm
British Council Drama information source - drop down 'Art Forms' for 'Drama'
The British Association of Dramatherapists
Arts Professional - the UK's leading arts management magazine
Spotlight - the industry's leading casting resource
Artjobster - free art workers jobsite for the UK
The Sector Skills Council for the Creative Media - Careers section
http://artsmatrix.plymouthart.ac.uk/
Arts Matrix - skills and enterprise development agency for the Creative Industries in the South West
Go to the Job Applications section of this Careers Guide for additional help and advice with making applications.
