Careers by Major - Theatre & Drama

 

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This program is offered through the Department of English and Drama

Each Careers by Major page provides lots of ideas on various career areas, as well as how to gain related skills and experience. Useful resources and job samples are also provided.

Table of Contents 

1. Sample Occupations and Jobs
         1a. Sample Occupations
         1b. Sample Job Listings
         1c. Sample Areas of Employment
2. Program-Related Skills
3. Explore Careers & Build Networks
4. Get Experience
         4a. On-Campus
         4b. Off-Campus
5. Useful Resources & Next Steps 

 

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1. Sample Occupations and Jobs
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Below is a sample of the many types of occupations and jobs pursued by graduates of this program.

1a. Sample Occupations

 
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Note: This is not an exhaustive list. Detailed career profiles are available in the Career Centre. Some occupations require further education and experience.

Business & Arts Administration

  • Advertising
  • Administrative Assistant
  • Agent
  • Arts Administrator
  • Association Manager
  • Business Manager
  • Box Office Manager
  • Casting Director
  • Communications Specialist
  • Executive Director
  • Event Planner
  • Fine Arts Manager
  • Fundraiser
  • House Manager
  • Human Resources Specialist
  • Lawyer
  • Managing Director
  • Media Relations
  • Development Director
  • Marketing Director
  • Personal Manager
  • Performing Arts Publicist
  • Press Director
  • Producer
  • Project Manager
  • Producing Director
  • Production Assistant
  • Publicist
  • Public Relations Specialist
  • Recreation Director
  • Talent Manager
  • Theatrical Press Agent
  • Volunteer Manager
  • Historian
  • Advertising Copywriter
  • Director of Photography
  • Radio/Television Program Director

Health & Education

  • Elementary School Teacher
  • High School Teacher
  • Professor
  • Drama Instructor
  • Drama/Speech Coach
  • Vocal Coach
  • Singing Teacher
  • Counsellor
  • Drama Therapist
  • Movement Instructor
  • Dance Teacher
  • Personal Trainer
  • Nutritionist
  • Community Worker
  • Religious Worker
  • Personal Trainer
  • Massage Therapist
  • Fitness Instructor
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Corporate Trainer
  • Educational Assistant
  • Librarian
  • Motivational Speaker
  • Music Teacher
  • Choreographer/Dance Instructor

Production & Performance

  • Actor
  • Announcer
  • Art Director
  • Director
  • Stage Manager
  • Technical Director
  • Set Designer
  • Costume Designer
  • Hairstylist
  • Makeup Artist
  • Magician
  • Lighting Technician
  • Sound Designer
  • Property Designer
  • Carpenter/Scenic Artist
  • Special Effects Technician
  • Rigger
  • Electrician
  • Broadcast Technician
  • Musician
  • Casting Director
  • Editor
  • Film Editor
  • Critic
  • Technical Writer
  • Playwright
  • Production Assistant
  • Production Woodworker
  • Camera Operator
  • Film/TV Crew
  • Journalist
  • Interviewer
  • TV/Radio Reporter
  • TV/Radio Host or Personality
  • Extra
  • Voice Over Artist
  • Announcer
  • Circus Performer
  • Comedian
  • Stunt person
  • Lighting Technician
  • Model
  • Audio-Visual Technician
  • Artist
  • Broadcast Technician
  • Composer
  • Comedian
  • Dancer
  • Film and TV Crew
  • Magician
  • Singer

Entrepreneurship

  • Many independent artists employ themselves,
    and enjoy working in multiple disciplines this
    way. Look out for government programs and
    grants that support young entrepreneurs.
    To gain experience in being your own boss and
    working with others to create your own work,
    consider forming a Theatre Company or a
    Summer Camp.

1b. Sample Job Listings

 
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Below is a sample of delisted positions that have been posted on U of T's Career Learning Network (CLN). To access current listings, login to CLN and click on Jobs

  • Drama Workshop Instructor, City of Mississauga
  • Cultural Outreach Officer, City of Toronto
  • Research & Copyright/Licensing Administrator, Toronto International Film Festival
  • Fashion Design Intern, North Aware
  • Technical Assistant, MiST Theatre, UTM
  • Marketing Coordinator, Royal Conservatory of Music
  • Manager, Library & Archives, Royal Ontario Museum
  • Studio Assistant, Blackwood Gallery, UTM
  • Production Manager, Solar Stage Theatre
  • Music & Drama Program Coordinator, Camp Menesetung
  • Musicians, Toronto Grace Health Centre
  • Event Set-Up Crew, Royal Botanical Gardens
  • Staff Writer, The Medium, UTM
  • Customer Service Representative, Toronto Symphony Orchestra
  • Build Volunteer, Habitat for Humanity

1c. Sample Areas of Employment

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  • Agencies
  • Theatre companies
  • Television and radio studios
  • Educational institutions
  • Community centres
  • Non-profit organizations
  • Cruiseship lines
  • Travel agencies and tour companies
  • Communications and broadcasting companies
  • Private sector/large corporations
  • Cultural organizations
  • Public relations and communications firms
  • Theme parks
  • Self-employment/freelance

 

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2. Program-Related Skills
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Academic courses in this program provide opportunities to develop the following types of skills. Make a career counselling or an employment strategy appointment to discuss how you can demonstrate these skills to employers.

  • Technical: knowledge of theatre history, critical theory, and dramatic literature; knowledge of developmental and production dramaturgy, playwriting and intermedial performance; knowledge of set production; and understanding of human behavior.
  • Communication and teamwork: speak and perform effectively in front of large audiences; work cooperatively with others;
    conceptualize and implement projects; and compose playwrights.
  • Creativity and problem solving: demonstrate artistic expression; identify problems and use creative processes to solve them; knowledge of  production and stage management practices; and accept new challenges.
  • Flexibility: work well alone and in teams; and adaptable to change.

 

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3. Explore Careers & Build Networks
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Career Exploration 101

Take our 15 minute online module. Gain access to UTM's career exploration programs:

Informational Interviews

Informational interviews are a great way to connect with professionals in a career area of interest and gain valuable insights about a particular career, company or industry that would otherwise be difficult to find in books or online. Check out our tip sheet to learn more.

Alumni Profiles

Check out our Alumni Profiles page with submissions from UTM grads to find out how their experiences have affected their career direction.

Events

Attending career panels, networking events, employer info sessions and career fairs is a great way to meet professionals and learn more about careers, companies and industries. Login to CLN and click on Events & Workshops to see what's coming up.

Talk to Professors

Connecting with your professors can be a great way to explore the different paths a major can lead you to, as well as learn about possible opportunities for research, volunteering or becoming a TA. Drop by during their office hours or request an appointment.

Student Organizations

Join a student club or an academic society at UTM to meet like-minded people, explore your interests, and make valuable connections. To view a list of current clubs and societies, visit the Centre for Student Engagement's website. Some organizations you may consider are:

  • English & Drama Students Society
  • NuMonic Dance Team
  • UTM Gospel Choir

LinkedIn

Create a LinkedIn profile to connect with professionals in various fields, explore the career paths of UTM alumni, research employers, apply for specific positions and more. Need help? Come to the Career Centre to book a LinkedIn profile critique.

Professional Associations

There are many benefits of becoming a member of association(s), such as developing a network of contacts, learning about industry trends, accessing industry-related job postings and stating your affiliation on your resume. Some associations related to this major are:

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4. Get Experience
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Get some experience and exposure to the industry while being a student. This will increase your chances of finding a job after graduation, while helping you decide what area might be most suitable for you.

4a. On-Campus

 
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On-Campus Opportunities Booklet

Check out the On-Campus Opportunities booklet to view a list of some of the ways you can get valuable experience on campus.

Work Study Positions

The work study program provides eligible students with an opportunity to work on campus during the academic year and gain experience. Many departments use this program to hire UTM students during the Fall/Winter and Summer terms.

Part-Time and Volunteer Positions

  • Attend the annual Get Experience Fair 
  • Check out our binder with detailed information on volunteer opportunities; available in the Career Centre
  • Learn about the Co-Curricular Record (CCR), which can help you find opportunities beyond the classroom and have your skills and experiences captured on an official document

Student Organizations

Joining any student club or academic society at UTM is a great way to gain valuable skills and expand your resume. To view a list of current clubs and societies, visit the Centre for Student Engagement's website.

4b. Off-Campus

 
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Internships, Summer, Part-Time and Volunteer Positions 

Full Time Positions

  • Networking is an essential element of job search today, as most jobs are not advertised. While you should still apply for positions you find online, building relationships with professionals is a proven way to access the 'hidden job market' with some of the most desirable opportunities. Attend the "Learn to Network" workshop to discover proven techniques to effectively introduce yourself and make contacts.
  • Login to CLN and click on Jobs to access current postings advertised to graduating students and recent UofT grads. Note: You must attend the "Now That I'm Graduating, What's Next?" workshop to gain access to these postings.
  • Attend the annual Get Hired: Summer and Full-Time Jobs Fair
  • Check out our list of industry-specific job boards

 

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5. Useful Resources & Next Steps
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Career Resource Library

The Career Resource Library contains information about a wide range of occupations in all industries, resume and cover letter resources, effective work search methods, graduate/professional school preparation guides and more.

Appointments

Career Planning by Year

Visit our Career Planning by Year page for ideas of important career related activities for each year. You can visit us in the Career Centre to find out more about career areas that interest you.

Additional Web Resources


Updated August 2023