Presentation Overview

Since the days of Chekov, thespians have held the belief that they must suffer for their art. Theatre students worldwide graduate with much needed skills, yet limit themselves to low-paying, dead-end jobs to supplement theatre wages. Additionally, the number of students graduating from theatre programs each year far outnumbers the population of theatre graduates making a living in the field. Even so, there is a huge stigma in the theatre world about choosing an alternate career path.

These messages, spoken and unspoken, impact the ability to define success and find meaningful work using theatre tools in a new way. Theatre graduates are a very gifted and intelligent population who are not usually prepared to make a prosperous living using their natural talents and skills outside, or alongside, theatre/film.  

Kimberly Davis’ interactive session challenges these self-defeating messages. She explores ways for students to use their gifts, to confidently unleash their talent, to communicate their value, and make an impact on the world. 
Theatre Educators and Advisors who attend this session will learn how to:
• Expose myths and stigmas that limit the ability to make a living
• Break down theatre training to understand transferable skills
• Communicate theatre artist value to people outside the arts
• Illuminate ways to apply talents and stay in the driver’s seat of life
• Discover how students can use theatre training to better understand themselves
• Send graduates out into the world with confidence