arts/theater management degree??

[corfriends]

Posted: 9/8/03 at 9:41pm

I am a senior in high school and looking to go to college near the pittsburgh area. I've heard about arts management and theater management and think that this is what i would be interested in. does anyone know what these classes offer and what kind of jobs you could get with a degree from these majors? also what kind of training do you need to either be a broadway agent or producer? and how would you go about getting a job? thanks so much for your help!

[Gothampc]

Posted: 9/8/03 at 10:18pm

Internships, internships, internships!!

With a college degree you could get a job as a managing director of a theater. You can also take internships, which pay almost nothing, but get you good connections. Almost all theaters offer internships in arts management. And several of the talent agencies in NYC offer internships that can lead to a job as an agent.

Many of the non-acting jobs are listed in ArtSearch magazine which you can find out about at www.tcg.org/artsearch

Yale has a good theater management program, but I think it might be a master's degree.

[WOSQ]

Posted: 9/9/03 at 9:56am

Agents and producers learn by doing. There are seminars on producing, but internships are the first place to go. You've heard the phrase "started in the mailroom at William Morris/ICM/any agency"? That's where observation comes in. Its the lowest rung on the ladder, but where some (but not all) of the best and brightest go first to watch, listen and take notes how the biggies do business and cut deals.

Anyone can be an agent. Being a good agent is a stressful, time-consuming job. It doesn't matter which coast you're on, the other one is three hours away.

Go to college. Anywhere. That's where one learns to be sort-of an adult. Its the socialization process.

Theatre Communications Group which publishes American Theatre magazine would be a good resource as to which school offers which program. (I think its TCG.org) There's producing as in "David Merrick presents..." and there's producing for regional and resident companies as in "Managing Director". Big diff.

Good luck. Have fun.

[QueenS]

Posted: 9/9/03 at 10:06am

Yale's program is a graduate degree.

There are not a lot of colleges that offer arts management degrees. NYU offers a certificate program, of course that's not near Pittsburgh.

It may behoove you to study stage management, if you want to get a theatrical degree. Learning all the different aspects of what happens backstage can only be helpful to a future theatre manager.

After that, I'd reiterate the internship programs. They can be vital for contacts and knowledge.

[qpidsangel]

Posted: 9/9/03 at 10:26am

In PA I know of a couple schools that have that program Waynesburg College and Point Park College. I am also extremely interested in this degree anyone know of the best UNDERgrad programs? I am already involved in a few interships in this area.

Peace love and hairgrease,

QP

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 9/9/03 at 1:10pm

"Anyone can be an agent. Being a good agent is a stressful, time-consuming job. It doesn't matter which coast you're on, the other one is three hours away."

So, who's been in my office lately? This statement is very true. It's very hard to be a "good agent". Good doesn't always mean BIG. The biggest agencies have the most exposure,clients, contacts and measurable success rate. And you pay dearly for that service!
But some of the smaller ambitious agencies can and do strive to give personal attention to what's important to a client and a presenter. There is no "agent school" nor degree needed as with other theatrical careers. It's a tough business.

Go for the degree. You can always use the theatrical career training to narrow down your choices when you've found what you think you'd like to do. Wish you the best!

[jill326]

Posted: 9/10/03 at 12:12pm

H i There!
I don't respond often to messages, but I just had to respond to you. I recently graduated from Indiana University's Individualized Major Program in Arts Administration - Theatre Management. My goal upon switching my major (I was originally a voice performance major) was to become a producer. I considered the coursework to be 1/3 music, 1/3 theatre and 1/3 business. I also had three internships (one in touring, one in marketing and the last one for a producer -which is where I am now). The contacts I have made through my internships and the education that I received from such a program has been absolutely invaluable in finding a job in an already tight job market. I also attended the Commercial Theatre Institute's 3 day workshop in April which gives you incredible information on producing.
Jobs that you can get out of such a degree include: marketing, PR, advertising, touring, producing, development for non-profits, creative development, general management, company management, etc. Just about any field you can think of in the theatre industry. A good resource is the Artsearch magazine which is distributed every two weeks with job openings around the country.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me!
Good luck!