Career opportunities for graduates of Drama, Theatre and Performing Arts span many sectors as well as creative industries due to the transferable skills the course offers. The following roles are an example of the types of job opportunities open to graduates, utilising abilities in performance, collaboration, and critical thinking.
Actor - Perform in theatre productions, television, film, digital media or radio, bringing characters to life through interpretation and expression. In addition to entertaining audiences, an actor’s work can also be used to educate, teach skills, or support therapeutic activities.
Theatre Director - Oversee the creative aspects of a production, guiding the artistic vision and coordinating with cast and crew. Collaborate with performers, producers, and both creative and technical teams to create a performance that resonates with the audience. This involves strong coordination skills and a clear artistic vision.
Playwright - Creating scripts for the stage, either independently or on commission from a theatre, company, or producer. Develop the storyline, characters, and dialogue, and work closely with directors, producers, and other creatives to turn it into a live performance.
Drama Teacher/Educator - Teach drama in schools (age 11-18) or community settings, fostering creativity and performance skills in students. Get into Teaching: Become a Drama Teacher
Stage Manager - Manage all aspects of a theatre production, ensuring smooth operations during rehearsals and performances.
Broadcast Presenter - Communicate with audiences through engaging and appealing presentations of information or entertainment across various platforms such as TV, radio, and online.
Dramatherapist/Drama Therapy - Using drama techniques to support individuals' mental health and personal development and help clients with a range of personal and social difficulties including learning disabilities, addiction or physical illnesses.
Community Arts Worker - Engage communities through art projects, promoting participation and social inclusion.
Arts Administrator - Manage the business side of arts organisations, including marketing, fundraising, and event coordination.
Special Effects Technician/Lighting Technician - Handling a variety of roles within performing arts or media industries, including technical elements such as lighting, sound, and set design to enhance the visual and auditory experience of a performance and could include physical, pyrotechnic or visual effects.
Creative Producer (TV, film & video) - Develop and manage creative media projects. Oversee all elements including securing funding, remaining within budget and the strategic marketing of productions.
Event Manager - Plan and execute events, ensuring all elements come together seamlessly within timeframes and budget.
Public Relations Officer - Working in a variety of industries for agencies or for organisations in an in-house role, managing the public image of organisations, and crafting communication strategies.
Recruitment Consultant - Match candidates with job opportunities, utilising strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Organisations that have employed University of Kent graduates in the past include:
There are many more possible employers in these and other industries.
The Careers and Employability Service provides information and advice on job searching to University of Kent students and recent graduates. This includes Uni Kent Careers Hub, advertising a range of graduate jobs, placement year and vacation work/internships.
Arts Jobs - Listings from Arts Council England for arts-related positions
The Stage Jobs - Opportunities in theatre and performance
Creative Access - Roles aimed at underrepresented communities in creative industries
Mandy Network - Casting calls and crew jobs
Backstage - Tools, advice and jobs to help you get cast
The Stage - News and resources for theatre professionals
Spotlight - Casting platform for actors and performers
Equity - Trade union for performing arts professionals
Arts Council England - Funding opportunities and industry news
The "Proper Job Gradcast" - Podcast for first-hand accounts of career trajectories post-graduation. Features interviews with University of Kent Drama alumni discussing their professional journeys and the impact of their education on their careers
Portfolio/showreel creation: Develop a strong online portfolio or showreel showcasing your work on platforms such as YouTube, Vimeo or a personal website. Add this to your CV/LinkedIn profile.
Gain real-world experience: Add a Year in Industry to your degree, or gain experience through internships, student productions, or freelance projects, in order to develop workplace and technical skills.
Network: Use LinkedIn and Kent’s Career Mentoring scheme to build connections with alumni and professionals to gain insights into your target roles and industries. Further network and collaborate via platforms like The Dots and Creative Lives in Progress or LinkedIn groups.
Enhance skills: Attend additional workshops or courses to diversify your abilities (e.g. stage combat, voice training).
Build commercial awareness: Stay updated with sector trends through newsletters, podcasts and following industry leaders and influencers. Engage with industry bodies such as FIA and The Actors' Guild of Great Britain.
A year in industry can have a big impact on your employability. By gaining real-world experience and learning key skills in the workplace, and pairing these with the knowledge you gain during your degree, you can become a highly employable candidate in the labour market. The year can be based in the UK or abroad, including your home country if you're an international student, and contributes to your final degree. At The University of Kent, many courses include an optional year in industry between your second and final year, where you undertake graduate-level work related to your studies.
Some graduates choose to pursue postgraduate studies to specialise further or explore new areas: