Career Roadmap
Paul's work combines: Acting & Theatre, Business, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Producers and Directors:
Bachelor's Degree: Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
I left college prior to graduating to work with a leading theatre producing company for a year.
2.
Worked in a retail/rental company supplying theatrical equipment for two years.
3.
Worked on a few small touring productions for two years.
4.
Worked in a well known theatre equipment design and manufacturing company for two years.
5.
Went back to retail/rental as an owner and grew the business considerably for seven years.
6.
Retired for a few months.
7.
Did freelance and contract design and production work for eight years.
8.
Took a job managing a four-venue performing arts complex now for fourteen years.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Society in general:
Many versions of 'it's difficult making a career in the performing arts'
How I responded:
One teacher showed that there were SO MANY parallel or related fields to that of theatre design and technology - that my work was about telling stories effectively. And guess who tells stories? Corporations, churches, theatre and dance companies, ad agencies, restaurants, retail stores, web designers, doctors offices, architects, museums. Virtually every nook of the human race involves telling a story, whether from the artistic side or the mechanical side.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
Work. Finding the work, doing the work well, returning to do the work again as often as needed. Finding the work that needs to be done. And show up on time - that separates you from 80% of the crowd. Effort won't matter if you're not on time.