Messages

31

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: The Ultimate Decision

« on: Jul 02, 2006, 11:32 pm »

I don't know how I got here!

I did theatre in HS. took acting classes, was invited to take advanced acting classes. In addition to acting and singing, I was a choral director for one show and sort of an ASM for another (using the term "ASM" VERY loosely).

In college, I started at a liberal arts school, not sure what i wanted to major in. maybe music, maybe psych or ed. I had signed up for a theatre class my freshman year. The prof asked me to try out for shows. I didn't feel ready, I was nervous, but then he really encouraged me to be involved, so I did lighting for a few shows, then I tried out and for the most part did acting for a few years. Then my professors approached me about directing. They really felt I had a talent for it based on some of the discussions in workshops and classes. So i was called on to AD a show, then I did a lot of directing and they just kept asking me to co-direct. It was wonderful. I planned to go for my MFA in a few years once I could afford it. I decided to try SMing my last show in addition to co-directing. I just wanted to get SM experience to see if it was something I would enjoy and to have it on my resume and learn how to do it so that I could have it as a standby because SM jobs are a little more accesible than directing jobs. It turned out I really liked SMing. On the last show I remember my duties as an SM more clearly and distinctly and immediately than as a director. SMing is just such an intense experience once you move into tech and performances. I remember for the first tech runthrough the TD gave me the go ahead for places and said "it's your show" I really took that seriously, and I felt it. Instead of feeling the uselessness of the director on opening night, I felt invigorated. I had a great time SMing.
I looked for jobs and sure enough there are a lot more SM jobs than directing jobs, esp among people who are willing to hire people right out of college. So i applied for a few jobs and started working on this show. I'm not really sure what my future is regarding SMing v. directing, but I'm figuring ti out

32

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Summer Festivals/Unpaid work

« on: Jul 02, 2006, 11:24 pm »

Thanks so much. You all have so much insight.

I sort of find that being in NYC is almost a disadvantage being unexperienced, because htere are just SO many people in this town trying to do the same thing I am trying to do, and I find so many INCREDIBLE jobs in other states or upstate, etc. I'm having a hard time even finding better jobs to apply for.

I understand what you mean about being branded as a SM. Or even just that if I do do well and find steady work as a SM, it would be hard to take the chance and start over as an AD or director. Do you think it's a good diea to just send resumes to theatre companies? If so, what would the cover letter say?

33

College and Graduate Studies / Re: Summer Festivals/Unpaid work

« on: Jul 01, 2006, 09:54 am »

Thanks so much.

How do you make a plan to get from Point A (no/little pay) to Point B (actual pay). I'm not out to make big bucks, but I'd like to be able to cover some expenses?

You mentioned making a plan. What kind of plan? At this point I figured any experience is good experience. I actually only SMed one show before (in college). I mostly studied directing in college and I hope to go for my MFA in directing. I'm SMing because I do enjoy it, it's a place where I can actually have a job and be working on shows right now right out of college, and hopefully get contacts and get into a position where I can AD and eventually direct. I like SMing, but it isn't my particular end goal, so it's hard to explain to people that I'm getting SM experience to get better SM jobs, but I hope one day to direct.

34

College and Graduate Studies / Summer Festivals/Unpaid work

« on: Jun 30, 2006, 12:28 pm »

I got a job SMing a show for a summer festival in NYC.

The pay is really low. For a month of work, it's about the cost of transportation for the month I'll be working on the show plus maybe a week of groceries.

My mom has a HUGE problem with this, of course.

I'm just out of college. I guess what I'm asking is what is the value of doing summer theatre, or other shows for little or no pay. Is it good experience that can build a resume, or is it along the same lines as college work?

Will putting these jobs on a resume lead to paying jobs?

(I'm sorry if there's already a post on this topic. I'm sure there is, but I tried to search and I couldn't find what I was looking for with multiple queries)

35

Students and Novice Stage Managers / Re: broadway/off broadway and summer theatre

« on: Jun 30, 2006, 12:22 pm »

I also found some jobs on http://www.playbill.com

GL!

36

Employment / Re: What to wear/bring to a SM interview or other tips

« on: Jun 30, 2006, 11:36 am »

Thanks so much! I got the job.

It was the night of the first read-through, so the director said "Can you stay for the read-through and we'll talk after?" So I said yes and I stayed in dress pants and a blazer in a stifling hot rehearsal space. haha. And during the readthrough I was acting and people were treating me as Stage Manager, so I just slid into the role. At the end I turned to the director to pass on some scheduling conflicts the actors had reported to me while he was busy and he smiled and said "Well I guess you're a part of this!"

It's a job that's part of a summer festival and it pays really next to nothing. I'm having a hard time justifying that to my family.

37

Employment / Re: What to wear/bring to a SM interview or other tips

« on: Jun 28, 2006, 10:09 pm »

Thank you so much. That was incredibly helpful!

I'm so nervous. I have relatively little SM experience, but they know that from my resume. I just have to be confident.

Thank you!

38

Employment / What to wear/bring to a SM interview or other tips

« on: Jun 28, 2006, 05:54 pm »

I'm a recent college graduate. Tomorrow I have my first interview for an SM position. I'm really not sure what to wear or bring to the interview and what kind of questions may be asked. ANY tips would be appreciated.