What can I do with my degree in Drama and Theatre?

Professional actors need to be talented, resilient, skilled and self-disciplined. There is no single route to becoming an actor. Experience is an important factor and increasingly most actors will have some form of professional training. Being taken on by an agent can help but before this stage there are many months of training, getting headshots, auditions and generally showcasing your talent. Actors on average spend 80% of their working life not in paid acting roles so it is important to consider other areas of work and of generating an income.

Job profile of an actor from the Prospects website
Job profile of an Actor from the National Careers Service
Equity -  Free downloadable Starting Out factsheets
Spotlight - Frequently asked questions and answers for performers
Drama UK - list of accredited courses as well as shorter courses
icould: Jason F- Actor

I want to work in Drama and Theatre

Community arts worker is more of an umbrella term as job titles tend to relate quite closely to the role or type of work, for example arts development officer, youth engagement officer, youth arts practitioner, and community projects assistant.

Job profile of a community arts worker from Prospects
Job profile of a community arts worker from the TARGET jobs website
Job profile of a community arts worker from the National Careers Service website
icould: Lynda W- Youth Worker
icould: Nathaniel M- Outreach Officer

Drama therapists use group work, role-play and movement to encourage people to come to terms with feelings and emotions. To become registered and able to practise, dramatherapists must successfully complete a postgraduate qualification approved by the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) .

Job profile of a Dramatherapist from the Prospects website
Job profile of a Dramatherapist from the TARGET jobs website
Job profile of a Dramatherapist from the National Careers Service website
Job profile of a Dramatherapist from the NHS Careers website

I want to work in Nursing and Medical Therapies

As well as teaching through lectures and seminars, academic staff in higher education also carry out research and a wide range of administrative and pastoral tasks. Although a teaching qualification is not required, you will need a higher degree, normally a PhD. Competition is strong for entry-level academic posts.

Job profile of a Higher Education Lecturer from the Prospects website
Job profile of a Higher Education Lecturer from the TARGET Jobs website

I want to work in A University

A runner is an entry-level position, the most junior role in the production department of a broadcast, film or video company. They act as general assistants, working under the direction of the producer and other production staff, to undertake whatever basic tasks are required to ensure the smooth running of the production process.

Job profile of a Runner from the Prospects website
Job profile of a Runner from the National Careers Service website
Job profile of a Runner from the icould website

I want to work in Drama and Theatre
I want to work in the Media

To teach in state schools (excluding academies and free schools) in England and Wales, you must complete a period of “initial teacher training”, such as a one-year Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) course or school-centred training, which leads to Qualified Teacher Status. Drama is a popular subject so it is important to build up teaching-related experience during your undergraduate degree and to apply each for teacher training.

Job profile of a Secondary School Teacher from the Prospects website
Job profile of a Secondary School Teacher from the TARGET Jobs website

I want to work in Teaching

A theatre director has responsibility for the overall practical and creative interpretation of a dramatic script or musical score, taking into account the budgetary and physical constraints of production. Most directors are usually employed on a freelance or fixed-term contract basis.

Job profile of a Theatre Director from the Prospects website

Theatre stage managers coordinate all aspects of a theatre company to ensure the successful delivery of the performance. In order to do this, they must have excellent people management skills.

Job profile of a Theatre Stage Manager from the Prospects website
icould Career Profile: Stage Manager