The Center for Career Exploration and Development (CCED) offers resources and support for students' professional development across campus. In addition, the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance benefits from a designated Career Engagement Specialist who provides students with tailored guidance, helping them navigate the industry and pursue their unique career goals.
Drop-In Hours & Appointments
CCED Drop-In Hours: Stop by Muller 101 anytime Mon-Fri 11am-2pm and meet with a trained Peer Career Advisor to have your résumé or cover letter reviewed, discuss your grad school search, and beyond!
This list is intended to assist in your job search, but does not cover all areas that MTD students may be interested in exploring. Students are advised to verify the legitimacy of each posting before applying. Job scams can appear even on reputable sites.
Casting sites are online platforms where performers can find and apply for acting opportunities in theater, film, and television. These sites are valuable as they provide access to a wide range of casting calls, helping students gain experience, build their résumés, and connect with industry professionals.
Actors Access: One of the most widely used casting websites in North America; tv shows, films; can submit to roles without talent representation
Backstage: Oriented towards beginners; smaller commercials, theatre, student films; includes educational articles about the industry
Playbill: Broadway’s #1 job site - acting, internships, administrative, design, technical, and all other stage employment opportunities
Freelance platforms are online marketplaces that connect freelancers (independent professionals who work on a project-by-project basis) with clients seeking their expertise and services. Many individuals in the music industry are freelancers. Freelance work offers the chance to build a diverse portfolio, hone skills, expand professional networks, and enjoy a flexible schedule, all while choosing projects that align with personal interests.
Airgigs: began in early 2012 as the first marketplace for hiring session musicians and recording engineers and has since grown into a global talent base
Fiverr: popular freelance platform with a variety of services and users, including musicians, sound engineers, composers, and voice over artists
SoundBetter: a music-specific marketplace where musicians can find and hire professionals for tasks like mixing, mastering, producing, songwriting, singing, and more
Twine: connects companies with creative and digital freelancers, including various music and audio services
Upwork: businesses post projects and freelancers can apply to those projects, essentially acting as a job board for freelance work
Summer music festivals, institutes, and competitions offer music students opportunities to enhance their skills, gain performance experience, collaborate with peers and mentors, and showcase their talents in a focused, immersive environment. These opportunities are amazing résumé-builders!
ENTWORK’s Directory of Summer Theatre: An extensive list of professional theatres and theatre festivals in the US that present stage productions in the summer; broken down regionally
The Online Application System for K-12 Education (OLAS): job application system serving schools and districts throughout New York state and the surrounding areas of CT, MA, NJ, PA, and VT. There is no cost to register as an applicant on OLAS - multiple job opportunities, one application.
BIPOC Arts Job Board: Opera, theatre, festivals; celebrating BIPOC professionals in the industry
Digital Music: music industry jobs, from major recording labels, streaming services, universities, merchandising companies, startups, and more
Music Careers: Built by music professionals for music professionals; includes opportunities in music recording & performance, marketing & PR, live entertainment, and more
Musical Chairs: Best for classical music and academic jobs (orchestras, conservatories, etc.)
Music Jobs: Jobs board for freelancers and companies in the music industry
Opera America: Opera and theatre opportunities including artistic administration, marketing & PR, technical / production
Soundlister: For audio professionals to showcase their skills and find employment opportunities and projects; also serves as a recruitment portal for those seeking sound talents
Appel Farm Arts Camp (NJ) – inclusive arts camp hiring counselors and specialists in all disciplines
Belvoir Terrace (MA) – girls’ performing arts camp hiring dance, music, and theatre staff
Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp (MI) – music, dance, theatre, and visual arts camp that hires seasonal staff
Brevard Music Center (NC) – classical music institute; offers staff and internship roles
Luzerne Music Center (NY) – music camp offering counselor and teaching assistant roles
Stagedoor Manor (MA) – theatre camp famous for its alumni; offers counselor and production roles
Professional associations, organizations, and labor unions offer students valuable connections to industry standards, networking opportunities, and career development resources. These groups help emerging artists stay informed, build professional relationships, and access tools that support a successful transition from student to working professional.
Actor's Equity Association (Equity): labor union that represents more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers; advances the careers of its members by negotiating wages, improving working conditions and providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans
Audio Engineering Society (AES): only professional society devoted exclusively to audio technology; unites audio engineers, creative artists, scientists and students by promoting the growth, knowledge, and appreciation of the science and art of audio
Dramatists Guild of America (DGA): the national, professional trade association for American theater writers, including playwrights, composers, lyricists, and librettists
Music Teachers National Association: a collaborative community of music-teaching professionals, connecting both the seasoned educator and those at the beginning of their career; networking, leadership, mentoring and educational opportunities
National Association for Music Educators (NAfMe): collaborative community that supports music educators and advocates for equitable access to music education; check out their collegiate membership section
Theatre Communications Group (TCG): commitment to modeling and advocating for the structural, cultural, and equitable environments that a just and thriving theatre ecology requires; check out their student membership section to learn about what is included
Women's Audio Mission (WAM): dedicated to the advancement of women and gender-expansive people in music/audio production and creative technology, fields in which they are critically underrepresented; music and media arts training, mentorship, and conferences
This general résumé guide offers essential tips on formatting, showcasing achievements, and tailoring your résumé to job descriptions. While it provides useful advice, it may not be as specialized as other resources on the MTD Career Engagement webpage. For more specific guidance, refer to those documents or meet with the MTD Career Engagement Specialist.
This guide for music performers outlines best practices for effectively showcasing your performance experience, education, training, and additional skills. As a musician or vocalist, your résumé serves as a key tool for securing auditions, interviews, fellowships, festivals, grants, competitions, and graduate programs. This guide will help you craft a clear, compelling résumé.
This résumé guide for Acting and Musical Theatre B.F.A. students focuses on best practices for showcasing your theatre, film, and TV credits, as well as your headshot, training, skills, and union/non-union status. The guide is an outline on how to effectively present your performance experience and make a strong impression in the competitive entertainment industry.
Freelance work involves self-employed individuals offering their expertise on a project-by-project or contract basis, allowing for independent work. This guide covers the pros and cons of freelancing, key skills for success, and a step-by-step approach to getting started.
