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| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,398 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 1,361 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 1,425 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 1,336 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 1,266 | 0.00% |
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $55,959 | $26.90 | +3.2% |
| 2025 | $54,205 | $26.06 | +1.6% |
| 2024 | $53,376 | $25.66 | +0.3% |
| 2023 | $53,215 | $25.58 | +3.0% |
| 2022 | $51,673 | $24.84 | +0.1% |
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 518 | 16% |
| 2 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 494 | 16% |
| 3 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 446 | 11% |
| 4 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 504 | 10% |
| 5 | Louisiana | 4,684,333 | 491 | 10% |
| 6 | Mississippi | 2,984,100 | 302 | 10% |
| 7 | California | 39,536,653 | 8 | 0% |
| 8 | New York | 19,849,399 | 4 | 0% |
| 9 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1 | 0% |
| 10 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1 | 0% |
| 11 | Delaware | 961,939 | 1 | 0% |
| 12 | Alaska | 739,795 | 0 | 0% |
| 13 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 0 | 0% |
| 14 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 0 | 0% |
| 15 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 0 | 0% |
| 16 | Vermont | 623,657 | 0 | 0% |
| 17 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 0 | 0% |
| 18 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 0 | 0% |
| 19 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 0 | 0% |
| 20 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 0 | 0% |
Carthage College
Susquehanna University
Utah State University
Zackary Simonini: 2. Technology always advances faster than most theatre budgets can keep up. This forces us to 'learn on the fly' sometimes. Dedicate some time to keeping up with the newest technology, at least be aware of it. IF you have time and resources, set aside some of your efforts to grow technological skills that are more and more in demand in theatres and other event industries. These skills involve creating projections/effects in qLab or comparable programs. Furthermore wireless technology continues to become available in ways that can mitigate the need for hard wire cabling. Visit the message boards, learn the troubleshooting guides and familiarize yourself with the 'new solutions'. Other skills that continue to be more and more relevant is the use of LED lights and moving lights. These instruments are different from the incandescent fixtures I initially learned on but spending time to learn how to program moving lights is immensely useful and marketable to many industries. Finally even if your theatre/space does not rely on microphone/speaker enhancement of actors/instruments LEARN what you can about the physics of sound and how to interact with the technology associated with live sound mixing.
Zackary Simonini: 3. The field of events/theatre is diverse with many types of jobs. Take in all that you can and 'cross train' when possible. Many folks enter the field as carpenters, or painters, or electricians. . The more skills you have the more likely you are to 'rise up the ladder' to a tech director position. Be honest with your skill set but be dedicated to growth. The field of visual/performing arts has MANY related jobs that may not necessarily be theatre related but can still help your growth. Working with a professional event lighting company will help that skill set grow and it is transferable to jobs within the arts. LEADERS get paid more. Be a leader. Be professional and work to grow your communication/interpersonal skills. KEEP track of your achievements by means of a portfolio, website, etc. Keep lists of references ready and available upon request.
Zackary Simonini: 1. Learn all that you can! A well rounded Tech Director will be prepared to address a multitude of different challenges and different performance environments. The more experience that can be acquired the more manageable the challenges will be. DON'T feel like you need to know everything. Technology changes, best practices change, WE can change too. Be adaptable and use the resources that you have available: youtube, former colleagues/friends, and even manufacturer support call centers have helped me along my journey from positions like Carpenter, Scenic Charge, Assistant TD, to eventually becoming the Tech Director here at Carthage College. Other advice: take notes, label cables, and compile related technical information for 'future you' or for the next person to hold your position. Be patient and friendly: our industry is a collaborative one. The better we play well with others, the more likely we will be to be welcomed onto other projects and encounter other opportunities.
Susquehanna University
Drama/Theatre Arts And Stagecraft
Erik Viker M.F.A.: For some, the evening work hours can interfere with family life when loved ones remain on a traditional daytime schedule. Performers may find the acting profession is highly competitive with many applicants for every role, so patience and persistence are key to success. For many theatre artists, the reason for entering the profession is more about sharing their creative impulses with others and less about high salaries and conventional workplace experiences.
Utah State University
Drama/Theatre Arts And Stagecraft
Richie Call: One interesting aspect of being a theatre professional is that most of our jobs only last 6-weeks. Because of that, part of the job is to constantly be looking for the next job. For actors that means constantly checking job boards and sending out audition videos even when you’re in rehearsal. Luckly, good work begets work, so it’s frequently the case that one job will eventually lead to another one.
Richie Call: Like: Getting to do what they love. Dislike: Lack of stability