What I Wish I Knew Before Earning My Theatre Degree
When I graduated with two degrees in musical theatre — a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Fine Arts — I thought I was set. I had the education, the training, and the drive. What I didn’t have was a roadmap for what comes next.
This is the stuff no one tells you about making it in musical theatre after college — the truth about comparison, rejection, identity, and finding joy again in your artistry.
So grab a coffee, take a deep breath, and let’s get honest about what I wish I knew before stepping into the real world of musical theatre.
1. You Don’t Need to Be the Favorite
You might not be the “favorite” student, the one who gets all the leads, or the teacher’s pick and that’s okay. Once you graduate, those labels stop mattering. What matters is consistency, curiosity, and the confidence to keep showing up when no one is watching.
2. The ‘Break You Down to Build You Up’ Method Is Outdated
If your training left you doubting your worth, know this… harshness is not the same as rigor. You can be challenged and supported at the same time. Growth doesn’t require pain; it requires trust and self-awareness.
3. The Competition Is an Illusion
In college, it can feel like you’re constantly being measured against others. But the professional world isn’t a race… it’s a long, winding marathon. Collaboration, kindness, and persistence will take you much further than competition ever will.
4. Mental Health Matters More Than Perfection
It’s okay to have off days. It’s okay to take breaks. And it’s okay to not know what’s next. Burnout is real, and it doesn’t mean you’re weak, it means you’ve been trying too hard to meet everyone’s expectations except your own.
If you’re feeling stuck, start small. Reconnect with the parts of performing that make you feel alive again — or try my free resource, The 5-Minute Daily Performer Reset Ritual, designed to help you get grounded and clear each morning.
5. College Is a Bubble and That’s Okay
Your program was a beautiful (hopefully), protected space for learning and growth. But once you graduate, everything shifts. People move, careers zigzag, and opportunities show up in unexpected places. The sooner you embrace the unpredictability, the more you’ll thrive in it.
6. There’s No Such Thing as Being “Blacklisted”
If someone in your orbit ever tries to make you afraid of speaking up or setting a boundary, that’s a reflection of them not the industry. Respect, professionalism, and clarity will open more doors than fear ever could.
7. You Don’t Need a Backup Plan — You Need a Strategy
A Plan B implies failure. A strategy implies flexibility. Your artistic life will include multiple income streams, projects, and seasons. You don’t need to abandon your dream you just need to build a smarter business around it.
If you’re ready to start doing that, I help performers and creatives build burnout-free careers that blend artistry and entrepreneurship.
👉 Book a 1:1 strategy session with me.
8. Broadway Isn’t the Only Dream
You can have a fulfilling, profitable, and joyful career without ever setting foot on Broadway. There are creative paths everywhere — regional theatre, cruise ships, cabarets, digital content, commercials, tv/film, education, directing, coaching, and beyond.
Your job is to define success on your own terms — not chase someone else’s version of it.
Here’s the list of 50 streams of income that helped me create this life without going broke. Real talk.
9. You’re Doing Better Than You Think
If you’re reading this, you’re already doing the work — reflecting, growing, and reimagining your career in a healthy way. Be proud of that.
Keep showing up. Keep learning. Keep redefining what success looks like for you.
You’ve got this.
Conclusion
Graduation is just the beginning. The truth is, no one ever fully “arrives” in this industry — we just keep evolving. Stay curious, stay kind to yourself, and keep building a career that feels aligned, not exhausting.
Ashlee Espinosa, MFA is a professional actress and career coach helping performers and artist-entrepreneurs build bold, burnout-free creative careers onstage and off. With two decades of experience and a unique bi-coastal perspective, Ashlee blends mindset, marketing, and business strategy to help multi-hyphenate artists grow their visibility and income without sacrificing their well-being. Through 1:1 coaching, free weekly resources, and digital tools, she helps creatives design careers that feel as good as they look — and pay them well too.
Want to keep this conversation going? Every Tuesday, I send my best strategies straight to your inbox — no fluff, just the tools and real talk you need to grow your creative career with clarity, confidence, and joy.
