Majors at the University of Connecticut

Design & Technical Theater

Dramatic arts at the University of Connecticut combine the elements of performance, design, and literary traditions into one major. Acting, Design and Technical Theatre, Puppetry, and Theatre Studies are areas of study in the Dramatic Arts program. At its most basic level, dramatic arts is for those who love to create, perform, and learn of the world of artistic entertainment. You must question what part of the performing world would you wish to be a part of? Where do your skills and strengths fit best?

Acting: Acting is fun. Acting seems like a dream. But, acting can also be considered one of the toughest career paths. Success requires education, talent, hard work, experience, and lots of luck. Acting can include comedic, dramatic, or musical roles either on stage, television, motion pictures, or radio.

Design and Technical Theatre: Behind the scenes of every performance, be it a Broadway play or the new Coke commercial, many professionals have worked to make the final product a success. To make everything go according to plan, those individuals behind-the-scenes work as a team to create performances that everyone is pleased with.

Puppetry: The art of puppetry includes the making and manipulation of puppets for use in some kind of theatrical performance, for stage, television, or film. A puppet is a figure--human, animal, or abstract in form--that is moved by human effort, and not mechanical aid. Based in tradition, the study may include Shadow Theatre, Mask Theatre, Hand Puppetry, Rod Puppetry, and Marionettes in reference to historical precedents and contemporary usage. There is the constant creative interest in future applications of puppetry as well.

Theatre Studies: Theatre Studies offers the knowledge and understanding of the theatre as a performance art and business. This area of study prepares the individual to continue in the world of theatre in the business, academic, or writing arenas.

Academic Department

• Department of Dramatic Arts

Nature of Work

The nature of the work depends entirely on the artistic area that is chosen. But, all of the work in the dramatic arts requires long hours for menial pay before having a breakthrough employment opportunity. The work is always creative and requires constant energy and determination.

Sample Job Titles

* This title encompasses the knowledge of building and performing.

Potential Employers

Acting and Design and Technical Theatre: Employers may be television, film, or radio companies. These are most likely to be located in the performing centers of New York and Hollywood. Employment is next most likely in the cities of Boston, Chicago, Seattle, Dallas, Miami, Minneapolis, and San Francisco. Plus, summer stock opportunities are available all across the United States.

Puppetry: Employers of puppetry majors will be puppetry production companies, both in theatre and film. These companies are national and international. An interest in puppetry could also be applied to events such as festivals and teaching the artistic tradition.

Theatre Studies: Those who are interested in the business or the writing side of artistic entertainment also have to be prepared to follow where the performers are. Therefore, the top cities are the same locations as acting and design and technical theatre opportunities. If the interest is in teaching, employers could be any high school or any college that offers theatre and film programs.

Useful Skills

The skills required to survive in artistic entertainment include persistence, perseverance, responsibility, commitment, daring, talent, and creativity.

Getting Experience

For the dramatic arts the best way into the business is to gain experience in the business. It is very important to find shadowing, volunteer, internship, and performing opportunities that develop skills and build personal connections. Multiple internships might be necessary to acquire the necessary skills and contacts. In artistic entertainment, relationship building is key to finding future positions in the business. To find these prospects, you need to research in the Career Development Library and on the Internet. Also consider subscribing to periodicals (ex: Back Stage, Wide Angle, Box office) so that you can keep up on the current changes in the industry. Plus, joining professional organizations may offer information, opportunities, and associations with fellow artists.

Employment Opportunities

The possibilities are wide-ranging in the dramatic arts because of the many outlets of artistic ability. The majority of individuals will find the job search very difficult, resulting in an entry-level position. Theatre, television, radio, and film are all places that actors will seek employment. The same is true for those in design and technical theatre that may chose from hundreds of theatre companies, television stations, radio outlets, and film production companies. Puppetry majors have opportunities on stage and in films, as well as using the art in therapy and education. Theatre Studies majors who are interested in writing must continuously write to find support and credibility of their talent. Teaching work is employment that is consistent but one must be aware of the decrease in funding of public education in the arts. With all of these possibilities, the competition is fierce and one must be prepared for a career outlook of inconsistent work.

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