Everyone knows theatre is about creativity and performing, but for some people, the idea of being a part of such an artistic environment is so alluring they can’t help but fall in love. Fortunately for those of you who may be looking to get your feet wet, there are many different career options in the world of theatre arts. With these five careers at your fingertips, you should be able to find one that suits your needs and style perfectly.
1. Puppeteer
Puppeteers are the individuals who control puppets by manipulating strings and performing with them on stage. A puppeteer will typically have to make all of the puppets from scratch, ensuring unique and original. They then perform on stage with the puppets, making them appear to be talking and moving by moving the strings behind their backs in a un visible way to the audience. Puppetry has been around for centuries and is a very popular form of theater today. It’s believed that puppetry started in ancient Greece, where the philosopher Plato (427 BC – 347 BC) used puppets in his teachings on morals to young students. Since this time, many famous puppeteers have been around, including Rodger Barnes and Bil Baird, who started the American puppetry Theater in the 1930s.
2. Director
A director is an individual who plans and oversees the production of a theater show, film, or television production. Their job is to make all aspects of a show come together seamlessly, from choreographing dance numbers to making sure the lighting effects are just right. Directors also have to cast talent and make sure everything stays within a budget. The director will typically work closely with the playwright or screenwriter, who writes the play or film and is hired by a producer or company. If a writer is working on a screenplay, he will have a script that he wants the director to bring to life. The director has to work with other departments, such as costume design, and make sure everyone on set is pulling in the same direction.
3. Actor
An actor is an individual whose profession is to act on stage, television, or in movies. The job of an actor is to portray different emotions to an audience and essentially put on a show for them. One important thing an actor will need if you are considering this career choice is a demo reel. A Demo reel is the most critical marketing material to have when it comes to landing jobs in this career field. This can be done by putting together a few short clips of your best work as an actor to ultimately showcase your skills to casting directors. It does not have to be long, only about 1-2 minutes, but it should present who you are and what you are capable of as an actor.
3. Lighting Designer
A lighting designer is an individual who designs the lighting for a theater show or film. On stage, the creative mind behind the type of light you see can impact the audience’s experience of a show. A good example is the glow of a spotlight on a character in the play. Without this sometimes subtle light, an actor would never pose their body correctly and create that much-needed effect. Lighting designers also work with special effects and other aspects of the show, so keep that in mind when considering such a career.
4. Writer
A writer is an individual who creates scripts, typically for plays. A cast then performs these scripts, but they’re written to be staged or performed by directors or actors in various ways. Writers have their style of writing that often comes out in the types of characters they write into their scripts and how they fashion the dialog between these characters. Additionally, a writer creates the overall direction of a play or script.
5. Stage Manager
A stage manager is an individual who organizes the backstage elements of a theater show, such as setting up the props, rehearsing actors for scene changes, and making sure everyone is on time for their cues in front of the audience. There’s a lot to think about when staging any performance, but at least everyone knows where they’re supposed to be and what their job is. Sometimes the stage manager has to liaison between the director and other cast and crew members or even audience members. In this way, they can keep everything calm and under control.
Stage managers are often at work before the play starts, setting everything up for any particular scene that might be performed that night. They have to be organized and have a good memory to remember what props might be needed during each scene. Stage managers are also responsible for ensuring everything goes according to plan during rehearsals and performances.
In conclusion, careers in theater arts are varied, rewarding, and exciting. Everyone knows about the spotlight and the applause, but anyone behind the scenes is just as important to a production’s success as those on stage.
