5 Things Every Musical Theatre Grad Needs to Know (That No One Taught You)
Just graduated with a degree in Musical Theatre and wondering what’s next? Whether you’re stepping into your first contract, planning to move to NYC, or feeling completely overwhelmed, this post is for you.
🎓 I’ve been where you are—both as a performer and a former professor with an MFA and BM in Musical Theatre. Now, I coach performers all over the world to bridge the gap between training and a sustainable career.
In this post, I’m breaking down the 5 most important things every recent musical theatre grad should know right now—things I wish someone had told me before I left school.
📺 Prefer to watch?
Click here to watch the full video on YouTube
1. You Don’t Need to Have It All Figured Out
College trained you to follow structure—assignments, rehearsals, grades. But the professional world? It doesn’t work like that.
You might not move to NYC right away. You might take a break. That’s okay. This isn’t a sprint—it’s a career. There’s no one-size-fits-all path, and you’re allowed to take the time you need.
2. Update Your Materials—Immediately
The roles you played in college may not match where you fit in the professional world. Take time now to revisit your:
Resume
Headshot
Reel or clips
Casting profiles
🧰 Need help with this? Download my free Audition Tracker Template to organize everything in one place.
📺 And dive into my full Submission Bootcamp YouTube Playlist for step-by-step guidance.
3. Don’t Wait to Get Paid to Perform
Waiting for your first contract? Perform anyway.
Take class. Film new clips. Attend open calls. Submit online. Think of yourself as an athlete: you don’t stop training just because you’re not in the game.
✨ This mindset keeps your performance muscle strong—and your confidence stronger.
4. Treat Your Career Like a Business
This is one of the hardest mindset shifts, but it’s non-negotiable.
Track your auditions. Know your income streams. Build support jobs that align with your life and artistry.
💼 Need support jobs that make sense for performers?
Download my free guide for inspiration and motivation: 50 Ways I Make Money Offstage
I’ve supported my career by being a multi hyphenate artist. You can, too—with the right strategy.
5. Find Your Support System
You’re not in the green room anymore. You need to build a support system that gets this career path—whether it’s a coach, a mentor, a group of artist friends, or even therapy.
Find a group of friends you trust that you feel safe being open and honest talking about the ups and downs of this industry. Work with a trained professional like a therapist or career coach where you can have unbiased support and guidance. It’s all about finding what works best for you but you need an outlet of some kind to talk through what we all experience as an artist which can be emotionally and mentally draining.
Bonus: Success Is Personal
Broadway isn’t the only definition of success. What matters is how you define a fulfilling, joyful, and sustainable life in the arts. And that starts now.
👇 Drop a comment: Which of these tips hit home for you?
📺 Ready for your next step?
Watch this video next: Where to Find Auditions Online (Step-by-Step!)
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.
