Can a bachelor's degree in Theatre help me become an actor?

Question

This question is for a friend who doesn't have computer access.

Our university offers a Bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences with a major in Theatre, and I was curious.. can this degree help me become an actor?

I know I would have to work hard and audition frequently, but how helpful is this degree?

I know many big and small actors have this degree (thanks wikipedia!) because it teaches you: 1) technical theatre and design; 2) acting; 3) playwriting; 4) directing; 5) history and criticism.

Any information would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Thank you all for the quick replies.

The Theatre degree does teach acting, directing, and playwriting, so do you think this degree would be helpful since if does teach these much needed skills?

I believe the talent is there; I just need to further enhance my knowledge.

Answer 1

The degree won't make you an actor. You will still have to go through the agonizing auditioning process and it will be tough to even make a break. However, what you will get from a degree would be experience, connections, and it will also make you a better actor. You will be learning techniques and motivations and things from peers as well as many people who are much better than you--because of experience not to say you're not good.

Answer 2

Like shkspr said, the training offered in a University is what is important. Having a wide knowledge of theatre in all its aspects - acting, directing, dramaturgy, design, tech, playwrighting, history, theory, and literature - will enable your friend to better understand the craft of acting and the importance of theatre in general. Moreover, it will expose him or her to all the different types of theatre (there's more than just realism!) and offer him or her the chance to experience all of the different skills that go into collaborating and creating theatre.

Will a theatre BA guarantee that your friend will make it big? Of course not. It won't even guarantee that your friend will get cast in small community theatre. But the best way to become an actor is to train to be an actor and to learn as much about the field as is possible. The best actors are smart, knowledgable, versatile, and hard-working. A theatre degree can help your friend attain all of these qualities.

Answer 3

Nope, the degree won't help. Not a shred. I've been to thousands of auditions, and nobody ever asked to see my diploma.

HOWEVER...the TRAINING that the degree represents is worth its weight in gold. Trust me, the world is overflowing with wannabe actors who have no particular training...just an idea that they'd like to be "famous," and a belief that "I can do that."

In my opinion, training is what separates working actors from people who only THINK they're actors (here in Los Angeles, we call them "waiters," or "bartenders"). So, if you spend a few years learning the craft in a decent university theatre department, you'll at least have some technique and (hopefully) some discipline when you 'hit the streets" in a professional sense.

Answer 4

It would help, but it's not the only road to becoming a working actor. I would diversify college education as much as possible. Take some acting classes, but also take other classes to know more about the industry.

Talent agents and Casting directors do NOT care as much about an MFA unless it's from Julliard or a top notch school. They DO care about seeing instruction from the top studios in LA and NY, like The Actors Studio, Larry Moss, Stella Adler, etc. They care MOST about credits. If you don't have credits, then do some good student films in exchange for the footage and put a reel together of your scenes.

Answer 5

One thing. A Bachelors Degree couldnt hurt. I dont want to go into the amount of competition in the field, but if all else fails, he'd have the degree to move into a different area of the business. While they're getting the education, they can always go on auditions and get to know some of the people he'll need to know in the future. In the meantime, he'll gain some maturity and that can never hurt. Tell your friend to break a leg.

Answer 6

The only class that can teach a person to be a good/great actor are acting classes - which are not cheap. Once your friend takes classes, he should look for an agent to represent him/her. Once he/she is picked up by an agent, they require professional photos and will send them off to auditions.... Which are like cattle calls so they've got to work hard and stand out - Good luck. By the way, from what I know, an actor is NOT required to have a degree in anything.

Answer 7

Training offered at a four year institution is very good, but competitive to get into. It won't make you an actor but will give you the necessary training to become one. It will also open doors for you as sometimes talent scouts will come to college plays in order to scout talent, however don't count on that happening. Take vocal, dance, and acting lessons in college and make sure that you enjoy your experiences.

Answer 8

You said it. The information would be valuable, but to be an actor in theater or film would take talent. A paper degree an actor does not make. Keep training even after you get a break acting, the BIG stars do.
Spartawo...

Answer 9

I am wondering the same thing. I'm debating on either becoming an actor or a playwriter. Someone told me that you can but im not too sure.

Answer 10

If it were me, I'd major in something else - business or communications - and then minor in theatre. He should take as many theatre classes as possible to get in the training, but in the end, it's the audition that will get him the jobs. I can't imagine that a director would look at his resume and say his audition was fantastic but he didn't major in theatre, so no job.