Careers Brief - Performing Arts: Music Theatre FdA
Overview
Music theatre is highly competitive and demanding, but can be very rewarding. Successful performers are those who are multi-skilled and flexible. It is not enough to have talent and training, but you also need personality, be a quick learner, be 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 belong to 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 onto choreography, stage management, directing, teaching, dance/drama therapy, agent/manager, 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.
Use the website links below to find out more.
Further Study
You will be able to apply for a Top-up degree. Top-up degrees are designed as a direct progression from Foundation degree to achieve an Ordinary or Honours degree.
Institutions offering Top-ups include:
Buckinghamshire New University; University of Cumbria; University of Hertfordshire; Hull College; New College Nottingham; Sheffield Hallam University; University of Sunderland; Teeside University; University of the West of Scotland.
Alternatively, you could transfer into a related Honours degree. Entry point would depend on your grades, experience and overlap between courses but could be into the final year.
Progression is available to a one-year Honours top-up (level H) at University College Winchester. Go to the Links on the HE Home page for details.
To search for 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 could 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 other specialist training.
For information on all postgraduate courses and research, go to the national online directory at www.prospects.ac.uk/links/pgstudy/ .
Go to the main section Further Study of this Guide for more information and help.
Resources
www.ukperformingarts.co.uk/musicaltheatre
UKP-Arts: UK performance industry training and careers
Creative Choices - online service supporting the individual and business in the creative industries and cultural sector.
Drop down sub-heading 'Knowledge' + go to sector side-heading 'Performing Arts'.
http://careersadvice.direct.gov.uk/helpwithyourcareer/jobprofiles/
Careers Advice Service
Graduate Prospects - online national careers service for HE students studying in the UK:
- Drop down 'Careers advice' and click on 'Use your qualification' for 'Your foundation degree...what next?' + 'Options with your subject'
- Drop down 'Jobs & work' and click on 'What jobs would suit me?' for Prospects Planner
www.connexions-direct.com/jobs4u/
Jobs4u Careers Database - click on sub-heading 'Job Families & Articles'
The Stage Online (magazine for the entertainment industry) - go to sub-heading 'Advice' for 'How to Guides'
The Sector Skills Council for the Creative Media - Careers section
www.guidance-research.org/future-trends/arts/
Warwick Institute for Employment Research - 'Creative and cultural industries' for 'Performing arts'
Check out side-heading '4TALENT'
The British Association of Dramatherapists
Click on '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
Arts Professional - the UK's leading arts management magazine
Spotlight - the UK's leading casting resource
http://jobseekers.direct.gov.uk/
Careers database and links to jobs nationally. Search by either clicking on side-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 and Entertainment Union
www.britishcouncil.org/arts-drama.htm
British Council Drama information source - drop down 'Art Forms'
Arts Matrix is the skills and enterprise development agency for creative professionals in the South West
The Council for Dance Education & Training site - comprehensive information service
Foundation for Community Dance - online directory of dance companies
Dance UK - for the UK-based dance professional
International site for singers - providing information, articles relating to singing and getting into the music industry
Go to the Job Applications section of this Careers Guide for help and advice with making applications.
