Should You Pursue a Career in Musical Theatre?

If you’re thinking about majoring in musical theatre...or wondering if this is really the career for you...you’re not alone. I remember being in your shoes: head full of dreams, voice full of hope, and certain that nothing made me feel more alive than performing.

The Dream That Fuels You

Let’s start here: if performing lights you up, if you can’t imagine not doing it, then you owe it to yourself to chase that dream. Musical theatre is storytelling in its most human form: song, dance, words, and emotion working together to help people feel seen. That’s no small thing. Stories shape culture. They teach empathy, remind us of our shared humanity, and give people permission to hope.

So yes, if your heart beats faster when the overture begins, if you crave that moment when the lights come up and truth meets music: listen to that. It’s a sacred calling.

But here’s something I wish more people said out loud: you can love theatre deeply without making it your career. You can keep it in your life in meaningful ways — performing in community or regional theatres, singing in concerts, teaching, directing, volunteering, or simply being part of an audience that supports live art.

If theatre fills your soul, it doesn’t have to fill your bank account to matter. The joy, connection, and storytelling it offers are accessible at every level!

The Skills You’ll Build

Even if you don’t end up spending your life on a stage, musical theatre training gives you tools that will serve you everywhere.

• Empathy and communication: You learn to step into another person’s story and tell it truthfully.

• Collaboration: Theatre is never a solo act. It teaches teamwork, listening, and respect.

• Discipline and focus: Hours of rehearsal build consistency, endurance, and resilience.

• Confidence and adaptability: You learn to handle rejection, to think on your feet, and to show up bravely — even when you’re scared.

These are life skills!! Whether you end up performing, teaching, creating, or leading, your training in empathy and presence will always matter.

The Reality of the Business

A career in musical theatre is not for the faint of heart. Hard work alone doesn’t always guarantee success. I have friends immensely more talented than me who haven't had a shot. You can train for years, sing beautifully, act truthfully, and still not land the job.

Here's the thing, casting often depends on things you can’t control:

• How you look

• How you sound

• The essence you bring into a room

• Whether someone, somewhere, is writing a role that matches all those things

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pursue it. It means you need to understand the business you’re entering: one that demands resilience, humility, and an ability to find joy in the work itself, not just the outcome.

The Roller Coaster

This career is full of peaks and valleys. The highs are intoxicating -- opening nights, standing ovations, a moment in the spotlight when everything feels possible. But those moments are fleeting. The stage door line ends and now you're just another person walking to the subway.

It’s vital to stay grounded and present — to love the work more than the applause. And to be ready for the valleys: the months of unemployment, the rejections, the quiet seasons when you wonder if anyone still remembers your name (#motherhood)

Through it all, don’t leave your support system behind. Know what inspires you. Keep people close who see you beyond your credits. Take care of your body and mind. The performers who build longevity aren’t just the most talented — they’re the most mentally tough, self-aware, and balanced.

My Own Decision-Making Metric

When I was deciding whether to pursue musical theatre, I had no idea how I ranked amongst my competition. I'd only done theatre in St. Louis, Missouri. I gave myself a simple test: I auditioned for six of the top programs for Musical Theatre (I researched their numbers of alumni on Broadway). I told myself that if I got into at least two of them, that would be a sign to keep going.

That benchmark wasn’t about talent as much as it was about fit. The industry is full of incredibly gifted people, but not every path or program is the right match for every performer. My rule of thumb gave me clarity, a sense of whether I could see a realistic future in this career.

The Bottom Line

If musical theatre is what you must do — if it fills you up and you can’t imagine anything else — then go for it. Give it your all. But if you can imagine being happy doing something else that still lets you be creative, don’t feel guilty for taking that path either. There are many ways to live a fulfilling, artistic life.

The truth is, the world needs storytellers. Whether you tell those stories from a Broadway stage, a classroom, or your own community, your voice matters.

Because at its best, musical theatre reminds people that we’re all part of the same story...messy, hopeful, heartbreaking, and beautiful. And if that’s the kind of work you want to give your life to, then by all means: step into the light. :) I'll be your cheerleader whatever you choose!