What would you tell your child if they want to be an actor?

[Anonymous]

My niece went to college to major in theater... majored in neuroscience, nobody had to say anything.
My nephew majored in theater production and runs a place like The Anthem.
My neighbor's daughter majored in theater and runs a place like Strathmore Hall.
My neighbor's son majored in music and minored in business, and he is a manger for an orchestra, plans travel and books gigs.

If there is a theater there are plenty of jobs besides acting.

[Anonymous]

Let them try, Don kill their dreams.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve told my kids we will pay for their Bachelor’s degrees. That will be our last major gift to them. I don’t care what they do afterwards as long as they’re 100% self-supporting. The expectation is that they’ll complete at least a BA, barring special needs and/or health issues.

I have the same expectations, but if they major in something like theater, and 99% of the time they can't get a job to financially support themselves within 2 years, then what will you? Just cut them off?

My DD *loves* * adores* *lives* theater and drama. But, she knows she shouldn't major in it because 1. she likes her material things and 2. she has thin skin, and can't handle the type of comments/rejections that people in the arts/entertainment industry have to deal with.

So, DD will major in something that she can get a good job in, and do community theater on the side. I 100% support her joining a theater/drama club/community theater in college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let them try, Don kill their dreams.

so, you plan on supporting them till you die?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My niece went to college to major in theater... majored in neuroscience, nobody had to say anything.
My nephew majored in theater production and runs a place like The Anthem.
My neighbor's daughter majored in theater and runs a place like Strathmore Hall.
My neighbor's son majored in music and minored in business, and he is a manger for an orchestra, plans travel and books gigs.

If there is a theater there are plenty of jobs besides acting.

there are not *plenty* of theater jobs that pay enough to financially support yourself in a hcol area, especially if you want to have a family one day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let them try, Don kill their dreams.

so, you plan on supporting them till you die?

Yes, that’s the only alternative. You are a genius.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let them try, Don kill their dreams.

so, you plan on supporting them till you die?

It’s called letting your adult kids make their own mistakes. Not talking about college.

[Anonymous]

My son did tell me he wanted to be an actor and now he is one!

I'll be going to see him in his fourth community theater production in the last two years next month! I'm so proud of him, he's a great actor and having so much fun! He's in his 40s BTW.

I suggest to OP suggest to your kid to try community theater first and see if they have any talent and whether they actually enjoy it.

[Anonymous]

That I know multiple people who majored in the “right” things at theater school, and they never worked in the industry or only got one piddly tech job. Ever. It’s that worth $200,000 to you and her?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That I know multiple people who majored in the “right” things at theater school, and they never worked in the industry or only got one piddly tech job. Ever. It’s that worth $200,000 to you and her?

Which college costs $200,000?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That I know multiple people who majored in the “right” things at theater school, and they never worked in the industry or only got one piddly tech job. Ever. It’s that worth $200,000 to you and her?

Which college costs $200,000?

Nearly most of them at this rate?

[Anonymous]

Agreee with "Great! What's your backup plan?" A relative got an MFA in theater at a top school. She said that out of the couple of dozen students in her class, many of whom were excellent actors, only a couple ended up acting full time even a couple of years after graduation. She's gotten a few jobs here and there but makes a living doing video production for a corporation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let them try, Don kill their dreams.

so, you plan on supporting them till you die?

See previous posts.

One friend who was a theater major now teaches elementary school.
Another friend is a minister.
Another friend who majored in theater worked as an actor for several years and now manages a theater.
Two theater major friends are lawyers.
Another works in advertising.

I didn't major in theater but volunteered in college, which is how I know so many majors.

It's better to let the kid try, while having them also take some more immediately applicable classes, like some CS classes for example, or double major.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That I know multiple people who majored in the “right” things at theater school, and they never worked in the industry or only got one piddly tech job. Ever. It’s that worth $200,000 to you and her?

Which college costs $200,000?

Nearly most of them at this rate?

Most are about $90k all in.

[Anonymous]

My DD wanted to do this. I told her she could either double-major in theatre and something more secure, or minor in it.