High School
While in high school, take classes in English, speech, art, and theater if offered. Participate in school productions and theater arts programs.
Postsecondary Education
It is not absolutely necessary to have a college degree to become a stage director, but it is helpful. A degree provides credibility and better prepares one to face both the competition in the industry and the opportunities that appear.
There are some directors who have no college background, and others who hold a master's degree. Good choices for majors include theater arts, acting, and arts management.
Classes in directing, play writing, set design, costume design, and acting will be helpful. Some directors earn a degree in theater and go on to receive a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree. The National Association of Schools of Theatre accredits more than 180 programs in theater arts. Visit them online at https://nast.arts-accredit.org.
Other Education and Training
Training in the form of practical experience is necessary to get a job and be successful at it. This experience can be obtained by working as an intern, assistant, or in almost any area of the theater. School, summer stock, and regional theaters are all good training grounds. Many stage directors get their training watching other directors do their job or assisting them.
- Actors
- Artist and Repertoire Workers
- Choreographers
- Circus Performers
- Clowns
- Comedians
- Composers and Arrangers
- Costume Designers
- Dance School Owners and Managers
- Dancers
- Lighting Technicians
- Magicians
- Makeup Artists
- Music Conductors and Directors
- Music Venue Owners and Managers
- Musicians
- Non-Fungible Token Artists
- Playwrights
- Pop/Rock Musicians
- Production Designers and Art Directors
- Singers
- Songwriters
- Stage Managers
- Stage Production Workers
- Stunt Performers
- Talent Agents and Scouts
- Theater Managers
- Writers