Theatre and Performance
When exploring possible academic majors, begin by investigating the specific programs at Purchase College. Discover more about the B.A. in Theatre and Performance, and find out about program requirements, courses, and the program faculty.
Want to find out more about a major? Talk to department heads and professors to have your questions answered and to get the inside track on being a Theatre and Performance major at Purchase College.
Career Possibilities
The following is a list of some career possibilities that students in this major might find rewarding. Remember, that your major does not necessarily determine your career. Graduates use their academic majors in a variety of professional fields. The options below can be used as a starting point to explore potential career paths, however, you may also want to investigate more using recommended resources to gain a more comprehensive list of careers. Keep in mind that additional education, training, and experiential education beyond your major may be needed to pursue these possibilities.
Acquired Skills
- Ability to write and speak clearly
- Analyze and interpret data
- Read accurately and analytically
- Critical thinking skills
- Understand institutional and cultural values
- Research and gathering information
- Measure media effects
- Attention to detail
- Synthesizing information
Career Titles
- Actor/Actress
- Costume Design
- Critic
- Director
- Drama Coach
- Drama Therapist
- Educator
- Entertainment Writer
- Fine Arts Manager
- Marketing Assistant
- Personal Asst. to Director
- Playwright
- Press Agent
- Producer
- Program Assistant
- Publicist
- Set Designer
- Script Supervisor
- Talent Agent
- Talent Representative
- Theater Manager
- Theatrical Agent
- Ticket Sales Coordinator
- Wardrobe Supervisor
- Writer/Editor
Types of Organizations that Hire
- Theaters
- Museums
- Libraries
- Educational Institutions
- Publishing Houses
- Magazines/Newspapers
- Talent Agencies
- Non-Profit Organizations
Career Information and Professional Association Links
- Employers of Drama, Theater & Visual Arts majors
- The Dramatists Guild of America
- The Broadway League - the national trade association for the Broadway Industry
- Writers Guild of America - East
- Directors Guild of America
- Playwrights’ Center
- NY State Theatre Education Association
- The Actors Fund, for everyone in entertainment
- Casting Society of America
- Actor’s Equity Association - Labor union that represents more than 50,000 Actors and Stage Managers.
- Careers.Broadway (a program of The Broadway League
- Self Employment in the Arts
- Occupational Outlook Handbook Online - Job descriptions, growth forecasts & salary
Job Search Links
- Career Development Center - Visit Purchase JobScore to access jobs posted for Purchase students and alumni
- backstage - Career advice and casting information
- Playbill - Jobs in stage and theatre
- mediabistro - Job and industry information in the media
- Communication Arts (CA) -Site for the professional creative marketplace
- EntertainmentCareers.net - Internships and jobs in the media
- OffStageJobs.com - Source for behind-the-scenes jobs in the Live Entertainment Industry
- ART New York - Connect member theatre organizations with interns
- The Shubert Organization - Jobs at the Shubert Organization’s 17 Broadway theatres
Please visit the following majors pages for additional resources: Acting, Theatre Design/Technology and Playwriting and Screenwriting
Additional Resources Available at the CDC
Bryan Terrell Clark, Actor, Producer, and Director
Explore more about careers and getting hired on CandidCareer.