WHAT CAN I DO WITH A MAJOR IN...

THEATRE OR DANCEwww.sc.edu/career

the-a-tre

The scientific study of the origin, the behavior, and the physical, social, and cultural development of human beings.*

*"Anthropology." The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. 24 Jul. 2009. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Anthropology>.

dance

1. A successive group of rhythmical steps or bodily motions, or both, usually executed to music.

2. To perform or take part in.*

* "dance." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 07 Aug. 2009. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/dance>.

Theatre And Dance Majors Study

• Discipline based performance and production skills

• Visualizing, criticizing, evaluating, and explaining performances

• Summarizing and synthesizing perceptions• Conceptual thinking and composing skills• Detailed movement and speech

techniques• How to interpret and edit ideas

Anthropology Degrees Available At The University Of

South Carolina

IMA

MAT

MFA

MA

BA

Theatre And Dance At The University Of South

CarolinaUndergraduate Options Graduate Options ~Theater Only

Bachelor of Arts (BA)Majors: TheatreMinors: Theatre, Dance

Master of Arts (MA)

Master of Fine Arts (MFA)Emphasis in acting, directing, costume design, scenic design, lighting design.

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)Prepares and certifies students for teaching in public high schools.

Interdisciplinary Master of Arts (IMA)For students who already have a teaching certificate.

Theatre And Dance Majors Develop Skills In

• Managing multiple projects, people, and production elements simultaneously

• Interpreting, editing, and organizing ideas

• Problem solving • Advising, teaching, and

directing• Selling ideas, products,

and services

• Communicating ideas, thoughts, and emotions through speech, writing, and movement

• Reading critically• Conceptual thinking• Interpersonal

relationship building• Accurate reporting

Employment

To increase employment prospects, it is recommended that a theatre, speech, and dance major: • Gain as much and as varied performance

experience as possible• Learn technical aspects of production

development• Seek part-time or summer job experiences• Obtain an occupationally related minor (i.E.

Advertising, management, and education)

Employment Settings

• Business & Commerce: Includes management and direction of for-profit organizations including the development of business plans, marketing strategies, product development, and human resource management.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Business &

Commerce• Buying Manager• Claims Adjuster• Communications

Director• Community Planner• Credit Analyst• Employment Interviewer• Labor Relations

Specialist

• Lobbyist • Marketing Research

Analyst• Project Planner• Public Relations

Assistant• Recruiter• Sales Manager• Service Representative• Trainer

Employment Settings

• Education:

Includes classroom instruction, curricula development, research and writing, administration and program management, and lecturing.

Teaching and research positions at colleges and universities require an advanced degree. Most other teaching positions require proper certification.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Education

• Administrator• College/University

Faculty• Curriculum Writer• Dance Instructor• Drama Teacher • Educational Media

Programmer• Grant Writer• Guidance Counselor

• Language Instructor • Lecturer• Librarian• Primary School Teacher• Program Director• Secondary School

Teacher• Text Author• Theatre Director

Employment Settings

• Performing Arts & Entertainment: Includes film and television acting, theatre, musical theatre, announcing, writing, producing/directing, facility management, business management, non-profit administration, development (fund-raising), marketing/promotion, and technical operations like set, lighting, costume, and prop design.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With

Performing Arts & Entertainment

• Actress/Actor• Agent• Announcer• Business Director• Critic• Choreographer• Costume Designer• Development Officer• Director

• Facility Manager• Music Director• Publicity Coordinator• Producer• Script Writer• Speech Writer• Stage Manager• Tour Promoter• Vocal Coach

Employment Settings

• Public Relations & Advertising:

Includes publicity, advertising/marketing, lobbying, corporate public affairs, development (fund-raising), sales, creative directing, media analysis/planning, audience analysis, news/informational writing, speech writing, public opinion research, and campaign management.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Public Relations & Advertising

• Advertising Agent• Audience Analyst• Booking Manager• Corporate Public Affairs

Director• Creative Director• Development Specialist• Event Planner

• Informational Writer • Marketing Specialist • Media Analyst• News Writer• Public Opinion

Researcher• Publicist • Sales Manager• Lobbyist

Employment Settings

• Social & Human Services: Includes among others counseling, social work, program management, public service, non-profit work, ministry, and positions in correctional facilities.

Most ministry and counseling positions require the completion of a special certification or degree program.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Social &

Human Services

• Victim Advocate• Community Affairs

Director• Correctional Worker• Drug Counselor• Fund Raiser• Grant Writer• Mediator• Non-Profit Researcher

• Occupational Therapist • Policy Analyst • Public Service

Specialist• Recreational Worker• Social Scientist• Social Worker• Speech Therapist• Tourism Director

TOP 10 Occupations That Employ Persons With Only A Bachelor’s

Degree In Theatre

1 Artists, broadcasters, writers, editors, entertainers, public relations specialists

2 Top- and mid-level administrators, executives 3 Teachers, secondary 4 Receptionists, typists 5 Sales (including retail) 6 Other administrative (i.e. record clerks) 7 Other service occupations (except health) 8 Other marketing and sales occupations 9 Food preparation and service occupations10 Other management-related occupations

Source: Fogg, N.P, Harrington, P.E. & Harrington, T.F, (2004). College Majors Handbook (2nd ed). Indianapolis, IN: Jist Publishing.

Strategies For Developing Skills To Get The Job You Want

• Acquire patience to learn lines, scenes, and steps

• Audition for school and amateur community group performances

• Maintain proper health since the stress and competition is high

• Volunteer to perform technical work backstage pre and post-performance

• Gain directing experience• Acquire problem solving

skills to manage schedules and deadlines

Strategies For Developing Skills To Get The Job You Want

• Join related professional organizations

• Acquire knowledge, skill and related experience in additional area(s) of interest since work in the performing arts is unpredictable

• Develop strong verbal and written communication skills

• Develop a portfolio• Demonstrate excellent

interpersonal skills• Obtain a graduate

degree or advanced certification

• Acquire a minor

Books And Web Resources

BooksUS directory of entertainment employers published by Studiolot Publishing

Creative careers : paths for aspiring actors, artists, dancers, musicians and writers by Elaina Loveland

Web Resources

Dance Art http://www.danceart.com

American Association of Community Theatre http://www.aact.org/

Resources for more information

Department of Theatre & Dance www.cas.sc.edu/thea

Career Center Libraryhttp://www.sc.edu/career/Library/library.html

Theatre & Dance Related Websites http://www.sc.edu/career/la/theatre.html

CAS Career Development websitewww.sc.edu/career/cascdp/index.html

Career Center Contact Information

University of South Carolina Career Center6th Floor, H. William Close Building (BA Building)Columbia, SC 29208Phone: (803) 777-7280On-call counseling without an appointment: M - F, 1:00 am - 4:00 pm (Summer and holiday hours may differ, please check the website at www.sc/edu/career)