Living the Dream Building a Sustainable Career in the Performing Arts

Living the Dream: Building a Sustainable Career in the Performing Arts offers an accessible guide to understanding one’s arts career as a business. This essential companion to the inner workings of the arts world begins with defining the dream, including how to conceive mission statements, branding and business plans. Part II covers sharing the dream with others through social media, networking, and working with agents or artist managers. Part III offers an overview of the financial aspect, including budgets, taxes, and managing risks. Part IV concludes by discussing the realities of an arts career, including work/life balance, preparing for the future, and managing mental health. This practical and insightful overview is a must-have companion for aspiring and early career professionals in the performing arts, as well as students on a range of arts courses, including Music Business, Entrepreneurship, and Career Skills classes.

Kirstin Chávez has sung leading operatic roles on many of the world’s great stages, including the Metropolitan Opera, Covent Garden, and the Sydney Opera House. In addition to her extensive performing career, she is Artist In Residence at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City and a Certified Financial Planner.

Johnathon Pape is a stage director of opera, theatre, and musical theatre with numerous credits in the U.S. and abroad, including New York City Opera and HaBimah National Theatre of Israel. He has served on the faculty of the Eastman School of Music and most recently was the Director of Opera Studies at Boston Conservatory.