Redefining Success: Dreaming with Your Eyes Open

When your child says, “I want to be a performer,” it’s equal parts exciting and terrifying. You might naturally start picturing what that future will look like: red carpets and stardom, OR unemployment and financial struggles. Both completely valid.

In this blog post, we're going to be talking about what real success in the Australian musical theatre industry can look like. Hint - It doesn’t always look like the opening night Instagram reel. And that’s okay.

In fact — it’s better than okay - it's amazing. When we redefine what success looks like, we can dream with our eyes open and build a rewarding and sustainable career that we love!

What Success Really Looks Like in Musical Theatre

There’s this idea floating around that you “make it” in musical theatre once you’re cast in a major commercial show or become a household name. But in reality - especially in Australia - even the most successful performers often juggle multiple roles.

Your child might envision being on stage 24/7, but for most working performers, life looks like a blend of rehearsals, gigs, teaching, side jobs and auditions. That’s not failure. That’s the norm. And if you figure out a way to enjoy the journey, that's the jackpot.

Does your week include a gig, 2 auditions, 2 shifts at the local coffee shop, a few private students, a dance class, rehearsing lines for a profit share show next month, and teaching a weekend Musical Theatre class? Congrats - you are winning.

A “portfolio career” - where artists wear many hats and juggle multiple jobs - is how most performers build a sustainable, rewarding life in the arts. The key is - be intentional, realise what YOUR VERSION of success actual looks like, and give yourself permission to enjoy it.

A Portfolio Career Is Not the Plan B — It’s the Plan

A portfolio career means your income and artistic identity come from multiple sources. For performers, that might look like:

• Teaching voice, drama or dance lessons

• Performing in professional contracts a few times a year

• Singing at weddings or corporate events

• Doing other performing gigs on the weekend, such as kids parties or busking.

• Running a small business, working in hospitality, or freelancing with your other skills

• Releasing music, creating YouTube content, doing voice-overs, or working on new musicals in development

  
  

More than 60% of Australian musicians work across multiple jobs. That’s not a backup plan, and it's not waiting for your big break. That’s a smart, flexible and realistic way to stay creative, keep growing, and pay the bills.

And yes — that still counts as making it.

Don't wait around to be happy. Make your own happy!

Your Child Can Define Their Own Version of Success

Your child might not end up on Broadway - and they don’t need to.

EVEN IF they do end up on Broadway, the chances of getting contract after contract consistently and that becoming a full-time, sustainable and enjoyable career are very small. That's not intended to crush your hopes and dreams - it's just the reality. Yes, it's possible to get cast in a Broadway Show with enough determination, training and networking. But Broadway is not a golden ticket to an easy career afterwards, and it might not be what you expect.

Consider for a moment if it's even the dream - doing the same Musical for 12 months straight, 8 times a week? It's ALL you do, the same show, 384 times in a row, most likely in an ensemble role. VERY COOL, yes, but is that your forever, that's-all-you-ever-want-to-do dream, maybe? Maybe not? It's okay to dream big. Dream huge. But make sure you consider the day-to-day realities of what that dream actual looks like. AND, find more than one thing to dream about. A Broadway Show, AND gigging at local venues to practice your singing, AND teaching at a local school so you have some extra cashflow? Or do you have another passion you can pursue as well - Love IT? Graphic Design? Accounting? Languages? You can design the life you want here, there is no rulebook.

Your child might perform professionally and teach between performance contracts. They might release music on streaming platforms while studying another field. They might write musicals while working a “day job” they also love.

Whatever the path, make it YOURS. And if your kid is doing things they love - whether it’s for one hour a week or full-time - they are building a successful artistic career.

Let go of the idea that fame = success. Let go of the idea that you can make it. The happiest and most skilled performers we know most aren’t necessarily the ones in the spotlight - they’re the ones who are creative, fulfilled, and grounded.

So What’s Your Role as a Parent?

Support your child’s love of performing, even if the “career” part feels uncertain or scary. Be proud when they get cast in a show (regardless of the role or pay) - and just as proud when they’re teaching a new student, writing a new script, or working a second ,or third, job to support their goals.

If they dream big - fantastic. Help them dream big. Talk to them about diverse skills, sustainability, and what a full and happy life in the arts might look like. Help them build the skills and tools they need to chase their performing dreams, and enjoy the ride.

Let them know that having more than one job doesn’t mean they’ve failed - it means they’ve figured it out.

Final Thoughts

A successful musical theatre career isn’t a straight line — it’s a patchwork of passion, projects and persistence. As parents, you get to help our kids redefine what success means. Not by lowering expectations - but by expanding them. Yes they can be a singer - ABSOLUTELY - and they can also record music to stream, practice their performance skill by busking or singing at weddings and make sure they are consistently learning and remembering the joy by teaching a few students. AND, so they don't have to stress about making money out of singing and loosing out the fun, maybe they also work at a coffee shop, or in retail. All of these can be indicators of success.

If their life in the arts brings them joy, confidence, connection, and the ability to keep going (financially and emotionally) - they’ve made it.

And if they choose a different path, the skills, resilience and self-belief they built along the way will go with them.

That’s the real success story.