"I want to be a theatre major!" are words that may have put dread in your heart. How will my student support themselves after graduation? Can they actually make a living with this major? These are questions that have been around as long as there has been a major in theatre. In recent years, a number of organizations that study college career placement in relationship to employers have determined a list of traits that employers find most desirable. Good news! Your student will learn those traits and so much more. The most desired traits are listed in the tabs below, and the details of theatre training are listed below the traits.

  • Ability to receive constructive feedback
  • Interpersonal communication
  • Oral communication
  • Presentation skills
  • Understanding of nonverbal communication
  • Understanding of the human condition
  • Written communication
  • Acceptance of responsibility
  • Accountability
  • Decisiveness
  • Budgetary understanding
  • Concentration
  • Confidence
  • Empathy
  • Healthy and realistic self-image
  • Research
  • Self-awareness
  • Self-confidence
  • Self-discipline
  • Vision
  • Ability to recover from disappointment
  • Ability to learn quickly and correctly
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Acceptance of disappointment
  • Dedication
  • Enjoyment in a job well done
  • Focus
  • Initiative
  • Adaptability and flexibility
  • Goal oriented approach to work
  • Improvisation
  • Acceptance of rules
  • Collaboration
  • Commitment to community
  • Cultural awareness
  • Respect for authority
  • Respect for colleagues
  • Trustworthiness
  • Use of technology
  • Respect for deadlines
  • And, of course, creativity!
Great! Now what kind of job will my student get with this degree? Good question! Below is a listing of jobs currently/recently held by our alumni:
  • Actor (Film)
  • Actor (Improvisational)
  • Actor (Stage)
  • Actor (Television)
  • Actor (Touring Show)
  • Artist in Residence
  • Arts Administrator
  • Assistant Lighting Designer
  • Assistant Stage Manager
  • Assistant Technical Director
  • Assistant to Managing Producer
  • Associate Broadway Producer
  • Audio Mix Artist
  • Barista
  • Box Office Manager
  • Business Manager
  • Call Center Manager
  • Carpenter
  • Children's Theatre Director
  • College Professor
  • Community Theatre Director
  • Corporate and Foundations Manager
  • Costume Artisan
  • Costume Designer
  • Costume Rental Manager
  • Crew Member
  • Development Manager
  • Director
  • Drama Therapist
  • Draper
  • Dresser
  • Engagement Manager
  • Executive Assistant
  • Executive Director
  • Facilitation Specialist
  • First Hand - Film, Stage and Opera
  • General Management Assistant
  • Graphic Designer
  • High School Theatre Teacher
  • Hotel Administrator
  • House Manager
  • K-8 Teacher
  • Librarian
  • Licensed Professional Counselor
  • Lighting Designer
  • Makeup Designer
  • Makeup Artisan
  • Manager of Business Affairs
  • Manager of a Children's Theatre in China
  • Market Research Analyst
  • Marketing Manager
  • Master Carpenter
  • Music Director
  • Office Administrator
  • Playwright
  • Producer
  • Producing Associate
  • Production Manager
  • Professor
  • Professional Services Manager
  • Properties Designer
  • Puppeteer
  • Recording Engineer
  • Restaurant Manager
  • Sample Room Coordinator
  • Scenic Artist
  • Scenic Designer
  • Software Customer Staff
  • Software Professional Services Manager
  • Sound Designer
  • Special Event Lighting Technician
  • Stage Hand
  • Stage Manager
  • Stitcher
  • Tailor
  • Technical Director
  • Tour Director
  • Vocal Coach
  • Voice Actor
  • Web Developer
  • Wig Artisan

Wow! It looks like your student CAN get a well-paying job!

For more about how to help your theatre major follow their dreams, visit our scholarships page or contact the MSU Theatre Department directly at theatre@msutexas.edu.