Author Topic: Finding jobs in NYC  (Read 4447 times)

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Hannah_UK

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Finding jobs in NYC
« on: Jan 21, 2011, 06:06 am »
Hi,

I'm moving to New York in March with my husband (who is being posted there for work) from the UK. I'm a relatively recent graduate of a stage management degree at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and have worked on a number of short term professional assistant stage management jobs in the UK.

My query basically is what's the best way to find paid stage management work in the US? I've checked out quite a few websites (backstage jobs etc) and lots of the jobs seem to be internships/unpaid etc and seem far and few between (I know this is pretty common for stage management jobs!). In the UK we have a trade newspaper called The Stage where pretty much every theatre/company in the country advertise jobs-does anything like this exist?

And if not what's the best way to go about finding jobs? In the UK sending out CVs (resumes) to lots of theatre companies sometimes throws up jobs, is that a good idea here or not?

Obviously have a good network of contacts is useful too- so what's the best way to make contacts in NY?

I apologise for the number of questions and any help/advice you can give is much appreciated! Oh I also apologise for my British spelling of theater!


loebtmc

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Re: Finding jobs in NYC
« Reply #1 on: Jan 21, 2011, 11:34 am »
Hello Hannah, and welcome to SMNetwork.

First of all, it is not easy to get started in NYC, especially as a new stage manager. Also, we do things a little differently here in the States so you will need a minute of transition to learn the difference before taking work here. There are things we do that you don't and vice versa, and aspects of stage management that are handled by different levels than in the UK.

I suggest you look around this site a bit and, among other things, check out some of the previous conversations on this topic - I have listed 4 of, well, many - and you can type either New York or Broadway into the search engine to see even more discussions, B'way being the mecca for so many of us.

http://smnetwork.org/forum/index.php/topic,5555.msg33853.html#msg33853
http://smnetwork.org/forum/index.php/topic,5390.msg32776.html#msg32776
http://smnetwork.org/forum/index.php/topic,4064.msg24701.html#msg24701
http://smnetwork.org/forum/index.php/topic,4291.msg33336.html#msg33336

And keep in mind, there are many, many SMs of varying experience all vying for work in NYC. You will want to start as a PA if you can get that work (your accent will take you far, as Americans are suckers for that lilting British dialect) although that, too, is precious in NY.

Good luck and let us know how it goes (and if you land in the catbird seat, there will be mass envy by those who have struggled to be noticed for too many years!)


Hannah_UK

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Re: Finding jobs in NYC
« Reply #2 on: Jan 24, 2011, 05:21 am »
Thanks for all the info.

I've been reading 'Stage Manager-The Professional Experience' to try and get myself au fait with the way things are done in the US, don't know if anyone has seen/read it and knows how accurate it is?

I do have a couple of questions if anyone can answer them. It looks like from the forums that you do do rehearsal reports but in Larry Fazio's book he seems to miss them out entirely. I assume rehearsal reports are done in the same way as in the UK- sent out every day to Director, designers, all stage management and heads of department with sections for each updating them on any relevant info from rehearsals? 

My other question is union related. Fazio says "The SM must also learn not to do any technical work that has been designated as union stage crew's work, even if it something as innocuous as picking up a broom and sweeping"- how true is this and does this apply everywhere. If so what are the jobs that I need to avoid to stop myself stepping on toes? In the UK as an ASM I would definitely be sweeping the stage although in opera in the UK I have found it to be much more departmentalised and the crew would sweep the stage. What should I expect?

Thanks for your help

MatthewShiner

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Re: Finding jobs in NYC
« Reply #3 on: Jan 24, 2011, 09:21 am »
Reports are done daily like in the UK.

And yes, when you start working in Union houses, yes, you shouldn't being doing their job, but to be honest, you might be working in a theater where you are not bound by IATSE stage hand rules, and your jumping in and sweeping the floor, although technically not your job, speaks volumes about your who you are.  Yeah, I would always ask before I would do it, but it sort of depends on the level you are on. 

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lsears

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Re: Finding jobs in NYC
« Reply #4 on: Jan 24, 2011, 07:01 pm »
The Larry Fazio book reads as very rigid.  Remember that since theaters vary, stage management procedures are flexible.  But in general, if crew is there, check with them first.