Today, 10 years after graduating from Staffordshire University with a First Class degree in Drama, Performance, and Theatre Arts, I answer the question : Was it really worth it?
I’m going to look at this through the lenses of career path, my passion, and overall achievements that I believe have come from my degree.
Of course, it’s fair to say that I certainly hoped that my degree would support a longstanding career in the arts. That may not have proved fruitful. Why that hasn’t happened is question in itself Was it not enough drive? Was it not enough experience? Was it luck? It’s honest to say that through the feedback gained through industry related roles, it didn’t always help truly understanding the areas to improve to successfully take that stepping stone.
That said, do I believe the skills and experiences gained through my degree aided a successful career path for me? Absolutely!
From analysis skills to create a well-informed judgement, to developing communication and a greater understanding of people. There are a number of transferable skills that I firmly believe have aided me to progress in my career to a role that would be defined as a graduate level role. Could those same skills have been gained through work experience ? Potentially. But equally, do I think it was the right path for me? Yes.
To look at success solely through the lenses of a job, I feel is wrong. My passion for theatre didn’t end at a career. It was using my skills to make a difference. From highlighting issues with public subsidy of the arts to the ever pressing issue of access to the arts. Using the foundational knowledge gained through my degree, I continue to grow that area of research and understanding to speak out about it. Whether that’s through blogs, emails to theatres, or working with local councils.
That to me, doesn’t need a financial reward or a job title. If I can utilise those skills for the greater good than I can sit confortable with that.
That’s why after a number of years I still continue to use my platform here.
Young people, and particularly families of a low income, continue to face barriers to access to the arts. Not helped of course by often extortionate ticket pricing. That’s wrong. Local authorities reducing funding to theatres also lead to decreased outreach programmes, and audiences which is also in my opinion wrong.
Take my work on Stafford Shakespeare as a key example of that. If I didn’t have my degree, would I have the confidence to discuss at high-level detail the impact the decision to move the festival indoors? Certainly not. While change still hasn’t happened in that area, do I continue to work on that to hope the decision will be reversed? Absolutely.
Some of my proudest moments looking back at success have been when I see the reviews I write featured across posters, trailers, and social media posts. Is it the fame, though? Absolutely not. The reason I’m proud is that while each review is written using indeph analysis and fairness, each one is written in a way I hope is understandable for all. Whether you’re a lover of the theatre or have never been to the theatre before.
One of my most popular posts has been how to see the Lion King for the best possible price. From that I can see a number of people have been to look at buying a ticket. If I’ve helped just one family find a way to make the theatre affordable for them, I can be a very happy guy.
In summary, while I may not have yet begun a career path as an undergraduate I thought I may be on, do I look back in regret? Absolutely not.
It’s for that reason that I despise hearing from political parties that arts degrees are useless. Because they are far from it. My arts degree has helped turn me into the person I am today. It has helped me get into the job I’m in. Most importantly, I still feel like my degree is impacting me today.
The Theatre Twittic 
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