No it never gets easier. And it shouldn't. We are Stage Managers, and are known for reliability and loyalty. We work a show from conception to closing. We are project oriented. Leaving a project IS hard for us. If it's not, then the job we're leaving is awful, or the job we're going to is one-of-a-kind, or we have no conscience at all. Let's not crave easy, shall we? The fact that this kind of a decision is a hard one, reflects WELL on this community.
Now, this whole thread about breaking contracts is closely related to that other recent thread about how far ahead we book ourselves. The further ahead one books, the more likely one might be tempted to break a contract. We need to look for the balance. The balance between assuring jobs, workweeks, and salaries, and choosing those jobs we actually want to DO, not just jobs we actually want to GET, with a "kid in a candy store' attitude. Maybe once one has a job, one does it, no matter what else comes up? Or maybe one doesn't apply for everything one sees, knowing something better may be around the corner, and then there will be no contract breaking. The temptation to apply for everything, and get every job is easy to succumb to, but an impossible situation to be in. Why would one do this on a regular basis? Folks, know thyself! If you're taking a job you'd give up in a moment for "something better," maybe you're not the right SM for the job. So, how early do you book, and how sure are you that you'll do the job when you book it far ahead???
I'd love to fit every job I'm offered into my schedule. I have a dilemma now, where I'm juggling overlapping offers for next season from more than one company. I can't do them all, and I won't do that manipulating thing where i try to get them all by negotiating to leave one show early or begin one late, or hire subs to cover for me, just to do them all. I've seen Stage Managers ruin their reputations and throw companies into chaos with that style of booking, and will not do it myself. Someone is going to be turned down. How will I choose? I'll choose the jobs that I deem best for me, whether that means money, director, the show itself, venue, or continuing a relationship with an institution, or something else I haven't even thought about yet. The next few days are going to be hard. I'm going to disappoint someone, and, yeah, I'm going to have some regrets either way. But, it's better now than signing a contract and then changing my mind!
And I'll be leaving a job open for someone else. Perhaps I'll even get to recommend someone for the job I turn down, who knows? Maybe it'll be YOU?
Sounds like you already know what to do in your own situation Good topic!
Sadly, I don't know what to do in my situation - it's not really clear, and it's not really easy.
Although I think I know what my decision is going to be - it's becoming a bit more clear cut. I think I will be able to talk about more clearly and be able to sort of post-mortem it with the group next week. I learned a bit - especially from some cohort and partners in crimes - who I have sought advice from. It has been good to get some outside advice.
But here's a little tidbit.
It never get's easier.
Yes, you may be dealing with high class shows or high class decisions, but everything just gets elevated, and more high profile when you work in larger markets - and there is a lot more pressure.