The Secret to Building a Long Term Career in Musical Theatre
Are You Playing the Long Game in Musical Theatre?
If you want to sustain a long-term career in musical theatre, it’s time to stop chasing quick fixes and start building something that lasts. In this post, I’m sharing key mindset shifts and actionable steps to help you move forward with clarity, confidence, and sustainability—without burning out.
🎯 1. Shift from Sprint to Marathon Mindset
This career isn’t about a “big break” or overnight success. Most performers experience high highs and very low lows. The key to emotional resilience is treating your career as a marathon:
Focus on small, consistent actions
Cultivate long-term materials (like your website, book, or reels)
Let go of the pressure to have it all figured out today
Your daily progress adds up.
🎯 2. Get Clear on Your Career Goals
Your career won’t look like anyone else’s. Be honest about what matters to you:
Want to stay in one region? Prioritize contracts near home.
Want to build an online presence? Set goals around content.
Have kids or other responsibilities? Adjust your submission strategy.
Don’t waste time on auditions that don’t serve your actual goals. Clarity creates focus.
🎯 3. Stop Trying to Please Everyone
You’re not here to live someone else’s dream. Stop making decisions based on:
What casting might want
What your professor/mentor would approve of
Where you think you should live
You’ll never satisfy everyone. The only voice that matters is yours. Choose the lifestyle, work, and location that fits you this season.
💼 4. Keep Cultivating Support Jobs
Support jobs are essential—not just for income, but for long-term sustainability. I don’t call them survival jobs—I call them support systems.
Look for work that:
Leverages your other skills
Allows flexibility for auditions or gigs
Can travel with you or go remote when needed
📘 Want ideas? Grab my free guide: 50 Ways I Make Money Off Stage
📈 5. Improve by 1% Each Week
This one’s simple: choose one thing to get 1% better at weekly.
A new self-tape tip
A resume tweak
A better camera angle
Improved breath support
Growth doesn’t need to be dramatic—it needs to be intentional.
🧘♀️ 6. Set—and Honor—Your Boundaries
You cannot be available 24/7. Burnout is real in this field.
Set boundaries like:
Your ideal rehearsal or contract schedule
What cities or contracts you say yes to
Your working hours as a teaching artist or freelancer
✨ Boundaries = longevity. Update them as needed—but stick to what helps you live with purpose.
💡 Final Thought
A long-term career in musical theatre isn’t just possible—it’s completely doable with the right systems and mindset. Build your path step by step, with intention, and always check in with your own definition of success.
Ashlee Espinosa, MFA is a professional actress and career coach helping performers thrive onstage and off. She brings over two decades of experience and a unique perspective from her bi-coastal lifestyle as a working artist. A former college professor, she now splits her time between performing, coaching, and creating digital resources to support other artists. Follow her on Instagram or check out the Musical Theatre Mentor YouTube channel for weekly career advice.
