Touring Shows question

[04sdwall]

If a stage manager, with some professional experience, right out of college wanted to do some road work for awhile and tour, what companies should that sm send their resumes to and be likely to be hired?

[centaura]

One of the best for entry-level SMs is American Theatre Arts for Youth.  They are small-scale children's tours, but if you can handle them and still be laughing at the end of tour - then you're cut out for the road.  I had a blast with them, the hands-on daily challenges really give you a grasp of every aspect of theatre.  And they will hire young folks fresh out of college, letting you get something on your resume to move up from.

-Centaura

[MarcieA]

You can try Theatreworks as well.

From my experience, they tend towards younger actors and crew. My friend's tour, with the exception of her and the PSM were all recent college grads.

[04sdwall]

I looked at American Theatre Arts for Youth website and they don't really mention who to send resumes to or who to contact about jobs.  Is there something I am missing?

[Scott (formerly Digga)]

Chamber Theatre Productions out of Boston also runs a national children's tour.  They were non-union when I worked with them 6 years ago but the quality of work was pretty good and the pay was actually better than most.  Don't know who the Production Manager is there now but that's who I'd send info to.

[MarcieA]

From Backstagejobs.com:

American Theater Arts for Youth is a nationally touring children's theater. Rehearsals for the Fall 2007 season begin at varies times through October to mid November. Tours are completed by the end of December. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age, possess a valid driver's license, and a clean driving record. Duties include, but are not limited to: General SM duties, running lights during performances, company management, driving tour vehicles, and tracking tour expenditures. A BA/BS is preferred but is not necessary with experience. ATAFY offers competitive salary, $100 weekly perdiem, travel, and hotels. Please send cover letter (including availability), resume, and 3 references to Diane Knox, Production Manager at (fax) 215-563-1588, (e-mail) tech@atafy.org, or (mail) 1429 Walnut St. 4th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19102

[Balletdork]

I've also had a lot of friends work for NETWORKS TOURS or something like that-- thye seem to be reputable, but I've never worked for them... Good Luck!

[J]

Anyone have any experience with good AEA tours?  I've never really toured, and would like to give it a try. I'm open to short and long tours.  Any thoughts on who to check out?

[centaura]

Are you an AEA member?  I thinki NETWORKS was AEA at some point, Troika I'm sure is AEA, they're fairly big-time tours.  My mind is blanking on the major touring companies right now.  I think Chamber gave equity points, but I might have that mistaken.

-Centaura

[J]

Yes, I'm Equity.

[Scott]

Theatreworks/USA hires a lot of Equity SMs for their tours -- my experience with that compnay for one full tour and two as a replacement SM was very positive.

Networks and Troika were infamous for sending out non-equity tours -- I don't beleive that has changed since 2004.

[megf]

NETworks does send out AEA tours - check their website and contact the Production Management folks for details. Not all of their companies are AEA, but starting in 2006 at the latest they did have Equity options.

http://networkstours.com/