Can you become an actor with a minor in theatre?

Question

I really want to persue acting as a career, but my mom is nervous about it. She thinks I should get a minor in theatre while I would like to major in it, preferably in a BFA program. But now I'm thinking, can you become an actor with only a minor in theatre?

(Reply to d_cider 1) The reason I want to act stems from a revelation - for a lack of a better word - I had walking home from school one day. Freshman year of high school, November night. I ask myself, "Why am I doing this? I'm getting to school before the sun rises, and I'm going home well after the sun has set. This is insane!" Then this over-coming voice, from what felt like the bottom of my soul, echo in my head with the reply: "Because it's worth it." So I'm not acting for the money, fyi.

Answer 1

Kate is right of course, but it is often better not even to go to college if you want to be an actor. Most college theatre and acting majors are dishonest and do not really train you for a career. There are exceptions, of course, the very best schools like Yale Drama and Purchase College, and then even those are stage oriented and not really for the film actor. College majors and minors will fill you full of junk that you will never need as an actor, like building sets and lots of academic junk that is in the program to justify its existence. I think mom wants you to go to college because she wants you to have something to fall back on, but if you do that , it is exactly what will happen, you will give up on acting and fall back on. It is inevitable. The only way you can succeed as an actor is if you have to do it because there is nothing else you can do. It is also much cheaper not to go to college and use your money for well selected acting classes and other expenses needed to get your acting career started. I am a retired University Theatre Department Chairman and Professor, and I know what the deal is with colleges. Click on my name read my profile and write to me at my aol address for more information..It is all free.

Answer 2

Ken sounds bitter and out of touch. What, Ken, are you not familiar with those famous graduates of the BFA acting programs at Wright State University or SW Missouri State? Not aware that a comprehensive study of stagecraft helps actors to know how to work with sets and props--and is essential if one goes into stage management or directing? Pish posh, how many professional actors are you meeting who've had zero formal training? I've got a doctorate too, mind you, and my own teaching in the backwaters of higher ed. isn't as bleak as the description you're providing.

So--back to the question--while it's true that you can become a professional actor with no degree at all, the practical reality is that acting is an incredibly competitive enterprise and anything less than the most ambitious course of study will not prepare you well. Most professionals either earn a BFA or they get the equivalent from professional acting schools--and unless you're in New York, Chicago, or LA, the BFA is the option most available to you.

In theatre education, we say that if you think "I'll try acting and if it doesn't work out I'll fall back on ______" then you shouldn't even try acting, it's guaranteed that you'll fall back on the other thing. The only people who make it as actors are the ones who can't IMAGINE doing anything else, they love it so much. Oh, they work at other things while they're trying to make it (one BFA program I knew, back in the '70s, required their majors to also train as airline reservation clerks--a job with high turnover and demand at the time which the students could hold down for a few months until a break came their way, then go back to if the show closed early). But the main thing is, never give up! Or give up early and get a jump on the career you're really going to have.

Now, on a practical level--don't argue with Mom about it. Concede that she's got some good ideas and that you have decided it's good to keep your options open.

Tell Mom that a college professor (me) suggested that it's a good idea to get involved with the career development office at your university and to let them guide you. Tell her the prof advised you starting out in the BFA program because if the career experts determine it's right for you, you don't want to be behind--but that lots of BFA theatre majors choose (or are counseled) to switch majors, and it's easier to go from BFA theatre to (say) BA accounting or BS math than it is to go the other way.

By the way, that IS genuinely my advice, not just a story you're handing Mom. :-) And definitely work with your career development office to assess which careers would be rewarding for you--if they determine acting, then let the BFA program guide you in career planning, otherwise continue to work with the career experts--I hope Mom appreciates that they're professionals and they know a ton more about career planning than you, me and Mom put together!

Break a leg!

Answer 3

Yes, you can. I believe that acting isn't so much your college degree--it's more of your talent/abilities/experience/connections. I may be misunderstanding your question, but I think you can definitely become an actor with a minor in theatre.

Answer 4

Cider cut through Ego Posts and say NO!

Ego Posts Bad.

Seriously, do you actually think that a Degree makes you a better Actor? Or more Hireable?

TALENT, my friend, is what gets in to the World of Exploitation.

Advice: Act for fun, not for $$