Other that NYC , where is a good place to start a career in Theatre and the Arts, not acting, but set design?

Question

Looking for a city or place to work actively as a set designer, and still be able to afford to live, but be in a artisically rich environment. Not NYC, LA, or the obvious, somewhere different but well respected and known for the theatre professionals.

Answer 1

I second the nomination of Chicago and would also recommend you check out Philadelphia.

Here are two web sites on the theatre scene in Philly:
http://www.avenueofthearts.org/index.htm
http://www.theatrealliance.org/index.html

Answer 2

First of all, you must be trained if you expect a career!!!

The top tier of theatre markets includes NYC, LA, and Chicago.

The next level would include Seattle, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Dallas, Atlanta, San Diego, San Francisco, Kansas City, Washington DC, Tampa Bay, and comparable cities.

Any of these will have several levels of Theatre Groups ranging from the LORT Houses (League of Regional Theater) down to Community Theaters.

If you've got good training, then you know how to put together a portfolio. That will be the key to getting your first job in any new city. After that, just keep plugging away. Make sure that you invite Producers and Directors from around the city to see your work. Not many companies are eager to hire you if they haven't seen your work (be that it is in a portfolio or actually onstage).

Lastly, and perhaps the best advice I can offer, is DON'T BURN ANY BRIDGES!!!! Good news travels fast, but bad news travels faster. If you are difficult to work with, if your design is over budget or behind schedule, your bad reputation will proceed you and you will be blacklisted before you can say "Joe McCarthy".

GOOD LUCK!!!

Answer 3

There are several respected regional theaters that offer great training, livable wages, and excellent living environments. The largest is here in Oregon, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, in Ashland. There are many more throughout the country. You may also want to try large cities with many theatrical companies. Besides Chicago and San Francisco, think also of Seattle, Portland, Denver, Minneapolis-St. Paul, and Atlanta.

Answer 4

While not widely known by the public at large, Mobile, Alabama and Birmingham, alabama are highly respected by those "in the know" in the theater community. There have been numerous sets for splashy expensive productions that have been designed in Mobile including the sets for Raiders of the Lost Ark, the Incredibles, Philadelphia, Forrest Gump, and Shampoo.

Answer 5

Artisically rich environment, well respected and affordable to live?? Well, think outside the box...the more affordable the place is, the less work you'll get and the lower the salary.

Answer 6

I've worked as a performer in San Francisco and LA and known designers, techies, dancers, divas (the original operatic variety), make-up crew and artists of all stripes who have worked all over the world and have stories to tell.

Education is critical. The competition to get in the right school can be cut-throat. Depending on the city, once you get your schooling, you only have to wait for a Union member to die and pray to Dionysus they don't have a relative earmarked for following them into the business.

The best track record I know of is indeed Los Angeles. Both UCLA and USC have superb technical theater departments and they place students and grads into more jobs than any agency could ever hope to.

Answer 7

I would suggest Minneapolis, MN. I studied Theatre in Minnesota and now live in Chicago. Minneapolis has a thriving theatre community and a huge fringe following. I think it is definitely a great place to start. Affordable living and beautiful environment.

Answer 8

Philadelphia...Check out the University of the Arts for programs or some of the smaller theatres.

Answer 9

How about Chicago?