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Significant Career Lesson From a Head of Musical Theatre at East Carolina University

Jessica, Head of Musical Theatre at East Carolina University, loves that her career allows her to "make a living doing what I love," creating worlds through storytelling in the theater. This passion fuels her mission to dispel the myth of limited career paths for artists, showcasing the versatility of arts training and the many fulfilling career options beyond the traditional "Broadway or community theater" dichotomy.

Creativity, Collaboration, Career Paths in the Arts, Work-Life Balance, Transferable Skills

Advizer Information

Name

Job Title

Company

Undergrad

Grad Programs

Majors

Industries

Job Functions

Traits

Jessica Doyle-Mekkes

Head of Musical Theatre

East Carolina University

Central Michigan University, 2006

MM Vocal Performance/Opera, Central Michigan University 2017

Fine Arts, Music

Arts, Entertainment & Media, Education

Creative

None Applicable

Video Highlights

1. The career in musical theatre is multifaceted and offers diverse career paths beyond the traditional performer roles, encompassing areas such as directing, administration, and teaching.

2. A degree in the arts provides valuable skills applicable to various professions, including collaboration, creativity, time management, critical thinking, and communication, thus enhancing career prospects even outside the arts.

3. It is possible to build a fulfilling career around a passion for the arts; the path may not always be linear, but it is achievable with dedication and perseverance, challenging the notion that artists can't make a living doing what they love.

Transcript

What do you enjoy most about being in your industry?

I love theater. It's storytelling, it's magical, it's creating worlds.

A couple summers ago, my husband and I were on vacation and we watched the movie *In the Heights*. The movie is phenomenal.

My husband looked at me and said, "This is what you get to do every day." I told him, "Not exactly, but that's the world I'm in."

It's creative, it's fun, it's challenging, and it's an art form I've loved since I was very little.

I think there's a stigma that you can't make a living as an artist. People wonder what you'll do with an arts degree.

They think there are only two paths: Broadway performer or community theater with another job. It's not seen as a full career.

I try to tell people, especially young people, that there's a whole world in between those two extremes.

A degree in the arts is so useful, whether you stay in the arts or not. You learn to be collaborative, creative, and work under pressure.

You learn to work with others, think critically, present, and speak. These are skills applicable to many careers.

We train students pre-professionally, hoping they'll work as performers or in the industry. But some go to law school, med school, or other fields. An arts background sets you up for that too.

I enjoy that I get to make a living doing what I love. It's possible to build a life around something you're passionate about, even if it's not a straight line. I know because I'm doing it.

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