Am I Crazy for Pursuing a Degree in the Performing Arts?

Written by Austin Satinsky

August 3, 2017

Set the scene; you’re hanging out at your family reunion, having as much of a “good time” 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’s your sister? Are you seeing somebody special? Have you lost weight? Have you gained weight? Where do you go to school? WHAT ARE YOU STUDYING?



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…theatre.

Your great-aunt reacts like this:

And you’re standing there like this:

Student artists are always dealing with responses similar to this. We’ve heard all the classics: “Oh you do theatre? That must be sooooo easy!”

…or “It must be super fun to just sing showtunes and act for all your assignments!”

…and the always favorite, “So what’s your fall-back?”

With all of this coming at you on a constant basis, it’s starting to make you question your whole life and your decision to “follow your dreams”.

From every time your mother tells you to consider grad school, to the times when your father suggests teaching, you feel like you’ve let your family down.

And you’ve lied awake at night mulling over every choice you’ve ever made and you begin to ask yourself… am I crazy for pursuing a degree in the performing arts?

YES AND NO

Here’s the obvious: there are more jobs in engineering than there are roles in Hamilton.

But with that, there are plenty of jobs that aren’t just about being in the spotlight.

You’re getting a degree in a field that opens doors into commercial management, marketing and advertising, business, and even therapy. (Check it out.)

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 of theatre grads were found to be unemployed.



Need some advice? We’ve got you covered.

Austin Satinsky is a senior at Flagler College in St. Augustine, FL studying Theatre and Strategic Communications. He specializes in musical theatre performance and improv comedy. After he graduates in December, he plans to move to New York to start working towards a career on Broadway or SNL.
Thumbnail from PLAYERS THEATRE.