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What Can You Do With a Theatre Degree?

A theatre degree builds skills you can use on stage and in many other fields. You learn how to plan a project, work on a deadline, communicate clearly, and adapt when things change. Graduates often go into performance and production, marketing, education, events, and nonprofit work.

A Launchpad for Creativity and Problem-Solving

While many theatre majors follow creative paths, the skills they develop often carry over to a wide range of industries. From education and media to nonprofits, theatre students prepare for meaningful careers both on and off the stage. Students gain hands-on experience and a versatile skill set that opens doors well beyond the arts.

At Willamette, students have the opportunity to work on multiple productions each year. Our theatre department puts on four to five productions, and students can also gain experience by putting on their own productions. Within our liberal arts mindset, students earn an interdisciplinary education that helps them develop powerful skills that employers value. Our theatre program and career development center help prepare students for their careers after college.

Consider a Theatre Major

If you're passionate about the arts, a theatre degree provides an opportunity for students to build powerful connections and skills. Students who are creative and enjoy collaborating benefit from the degree. Not only do graduates learn strong technical skills, but they also develop people skills that industries and employers need within their field.

A group of theatre students in makeup and costume on stage

Skills You’ll Build as a Theatre Major

Theatre offers some of the most impactful skills that stand out on a resume. Theatre students develop skills such as:

  • Communication: Theatre majors learn how to clearly and thoughtfully communicate. They develop strong oral and written skills, thriving in roles that require public speaking and thoughtful writing.
  • Budgeting: Theatre majors learn to work creatively within financial constraints. They gain experience planning budgets, allocating resources, and making smart tradeoffs to bring productions to life.
  • Problem Solving: Graduates are practiced problem-solvers who can quickly assess challenges and make informed decisions. They think on their feet and adapt effectively when plans shift.
  • Emotional Intelligence: Theatre cultivates an understanding of expression, motivation, and human behavior. Graduates can interpret complex emotions and navigate conversations with empathy and awareness.
  • Organization: Students work under tight deadlines, manage limited resources, and bring projects from concept to completion. They graduate with strong project-management skills.
  • Technical/Artistic Talents: Theatre graduates learn what goes into a production. From on-stage acting classes to backstage set design, they walk away with knowledge and skills related to theatre.
  • Collaboration: Theatre students work closely with people of diverse backgrounds, roles, and perspectives. They learn to collaborate effectively, communicate clearly, and support team success.
  • Initiative: Productions demand proactive thinking, so theatre majors learn to anticipate needs, take ownership of tasks, and solve problems independently.
  • Flexibility: Theatre students adapt quickly, whether adjusting a scene, revising an idea, or responding to unexpected challenges.

What Jobs Can You Get With a Theatre Degree?

By pairing their undergraduate studies with internships and hands-on workshops, students build the foundation for successful careers in theatre, the arts, or entirely different industries. With a liberal arts approach, they develop valuable skills in project management, budgeting, critical thinking, and communication. Graduates pursue full-time roles such as:

  • Performance

    • Actor
    • Choreographer
    • Composer
    • Dancer
    • Director
    • Fight Director
    • Musical Theatre Performer
    • Playwright
    • Stage Manager

  • Technical Theatre and Performance Support

    • Community Arts Coordinator
    • Costume Designer
    • Lighting Technician
    • Makeup Artist
    • Props Master
    • Scenic Artist
    • Theatre Operations Manager

  • Arts and Communication

    • Arts Administration
    • Broadcaster
    • Casting Director
    • Drama Therapist
    • Educator
    • Exhibit Designer
    • Marketing Specialist
    • Museum Director
    • Producer
    • Public Relations
    • Talent Agent
    • Writer

  • Business, Law, and Technology

    • Creative Director
    • Content Creator
    • Entrepreneur*
    • Event Planner
    • Lawyer*
    • Project Manager
    • Research Analyst*
    • User Experience (UX)*
    • Voiceover Artist

*With an additional graduate or professional degree, these roles may benefit from a background in theatre

Opportunities Beyond a College Degree

Some students choose to pursue graduate programs after their bachelor's degree. While many career paths don't require a graduate degree, they can be a great addition for those looking to expand their network, build new skills, or work towards a specific job title. Students can consider earning a Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts, or even Doctor of Philosophy. 

Willamette graduates have continued their studies at:

  • Brown University
  • Columbia University
  • DePaul University
  • NYU
  • University of Washington
  • Yale

Careers that Willamette Theatre Graduates Have Found

Wondering what kinds of companies you can work for with a theatre background? Willamette graduates have launched careers across a wide range of industries. From regional theatres to schools and universities, students use their training and networks to carve out meaningful career paths.

  • Art of Acting Studio
  • Artists Repertory Theatre
  • Bedrock Theatre
  • Broadway
  • Dance USA
  • Hudson Valley Shakespeare
  • Merce Cunningham Dance Company
  • New Theatre House
  • Opera America
  • Oregon Shakespeare Festival
  • Portland Center Stage
  • Salem-Keizer Public Schools
  • Seattle Shakespeare Company
  • The Coop
  • Theatre 33
  • Third Rail Repertory Theater

Is Theatre a Good Major?

A theatre degree is a powerful and versatile choice. It opens doors to the arts while building skills that carry into countless other industries. Theatre majors learn to manage complex projects while working with tight deadlines, small budgets, and limited resources. They proactively identify and solve problems. 

Employers value individuals who can take initiative, navigate challenges, and easily adapt to a changing environment.

A student working on set design using equipment

Who Hires Theatre Majors?

Theatre majors find their way into a wide range of industries. While their skills naturally align with performing arts organizations and cultural institutions, they’re equally valuable in fields beyond the arts. Graduates pursue opportunities with employers such as colleges and universities, television and radio companies, entertainment law firms, touring productions, theme parks, and even cruise lines.

A student working on a mannequin and talking to their professor

Is a Theatre Degree Worth it?

Absolutely! While a theatre degree is fun, it also enhances critical thinking, problem-solving, adaptability, and innovation, according to ScienceDirect. An arts education fosters holistic skills that translate into a variety of career paths. It also offers short-term and long-term benefits, including deeper learning, enhanced social connectedness, and social/cognitive gains.

Whether you're interested in an arts career or something else entirely, a theatre degree is a great path to choose. You'll build important life skills that employers look for.

A student laughing during a theatre exercise
“I feel very lucky. I’ve built a very strong community here and I wouldn’t have these gigs without the people I call my friends.”
Jihan Haddad BA '16

Why Choose Willamette for Theatre?

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