{"id":4099,"date":"2017-08-07T19:50:44","date_gmt":"2017-08-07T19:50:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/?p=4099"},"modified":"2017-09-26T17:40:02","modified_gmt":"2017-09-26T17:40:02","slug":"am-i-crazy-for-pursuing-a-degree-in-the-performing-arts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/am-i-crazy-for-pursuing-a-degree-in-the-performing-arts\/","title":{"rendered":"Am I Crazy for Pursuing a Degree in the Performing Arts?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Am I Crazy for Pursuing a Degree in the Performing Arts?<\/h3>\n \"\"<\/a><\/span>

Written by\u00a0Austin Satinsky<\/p>\n

August 3, 2017<\/p>\n<\/font>

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Set the scene; you\u2019re hanging out at your family reunion, having as much of a \u201cgood time\u201d as you can be having, when your great-aunt Stephanie runs up to you and asks you every stereotypical-distant relative question there is: How\u2019s your sister? Are you seeing somebody special? Have you lost weight<\/em>? Have you gained weight<\/em><\/strong>? Where do you go to school<\/strong><\/span><\/em>? WHAT ARE YOU STUDYING<\/strong><\/span><\/em>?<\/p>\n

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You recite your prepared responses like a pro. But when you get to the part about school, you bite your tongue as you confess your major\u2026theatre.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Your great-aunt reacts like this:<\/h4>\n
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And you\u2019re standing there like this:<\/h4>\n
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Student artists are always dealing with responses similar to this. We\u2019ve heard all the classics: \u201cOh you do theatre? That must be sooooo easy!\u201d<\/h4>\n
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…or \u201cIt must be super fun to just sing showtunes and act for all your assignments!\u201d<\/h4>\n
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…and the always favorite, \u201cSo what\u2019s your fall-back?\u201d<\/h4>\n
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With all of this coming at you on a constant basis, it\u2019s starting to make you question your whole life and your decision to \u201cfollow your dreams\u201d.<\/h4>\n
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From every time your mother tells you to consider grad school, to the times when your father suggests teaching, you feel like you\u2019ve let your family down.<\/h4>\n
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And you\u2019ve lied awake at night mulling over every choice you\u2019ve ever made and you begin to ask yourself… am I crazy for pursuing a degree in the performing arts?<\/h4>\n
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YES AND NO<\/h4>\n
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Here\u2019s the obvious: there are more jobs in engineering than there are roles in Hamilton<\/em>.<\/h4>\n
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But with that, there are plenty of jobs that aren\u2019t just about being in the spotlight.<\/h4>\n
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You\u2019re getting a degree in a field that opens doors into commercial management, marketing and advertising, business, and even therapy. (Check it out.<\/span><\/a>)<\/span><\/h4>\n
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So the next time your family has the audacity to tell you that your life goal is ridiculous, remind them how less than ten percent<\/span><\/a><\/span> of theatre grads were found to be unemployed.<\/h4>\n
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Need some advice? We\u2019ve got you covered.<\/h3>\n