Author Topic: Finding ASMs  (Read 6145 times)

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JPL

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Finding ASMs
« on: Nov 06, 2007, 10:50 pm »
I am a freelance stage manager working for opera companies across the country.  I mostly work for small to medium sized companies, and I keep running into the same situation everywhere I go.  Sometime before I arrive, I ask about the ASM.  I am, as often as not, told that they haven’t found one yet, but “we’re looking everywhere.”  The ASM is hired just before, and not infrequently after, rehearsals begin.  My show just finished, the ASM was hired after the first week of rehearsal.

Now I understand that companies are not rich, and they don’t have the resources to bring in an ASM from outside, so they have to hire locally.  Otherwise, I’d give them a very short list and tell them to hire someone on it.  Still, it’s always the same line.  “we’ve been trying, but there’s just no one out there.”

Poppycock.

My latest ASM (the one who started the second week of rehearsal) told me that there were a dozen students at her university who would have jumped at the chance to work on a professional show and earn a few shekels in the process.  She happened to be the first to respond after they heard about it.

So my question is this:  what is the best way to get the word out to those of you in colleges and in the community that your local opera company needs an ASM for their upcoming production?  I’m asking so that the next time I get the “we’ve looked everywhere” speech, I can reply, “Well, what you ought to do is….”  . 

What does it take?  Signs on the bulletin boards?  Notice given by your teachers?  Posting to a local web site? 

Give it to me chapter and verse.  Tell me how you would best find out about the job, and how it ought to be worded to get your attention. No, you won’t get in the door this way at the Met or the Lyric.  But I’ve faced this issue in Fargo, Reno, Albuquerque, Birmingham, Shreveport, Tampa, and I’m betting I’m not the only SM who has faced this.

And, on a side note, those of you looking for work could do worse than to contact your local opera company and ask about working as an ASM.  The small-to-medium-sized companies might very well be delighted to not have to look for someone. This assumes, in addition to the basic skills required of an ASM, the ability to read music, foreign language skill helpful (but not obligatory) and a willingness to learn how things are done differently in opera than in theater.

So please, help me help you get hired.  Tell me how to tell my bosses how to get the word out to you so you can come work with me.

Thanks,

John

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Re: Finding ASMs
« Reply #1 on: Nov 06, 2007, 11:39 pm »
http://www.backstagejobs.com seems to be widely known.

Oh yeah, if anybody knows a theatre that is hiring either technicians or a green ASM please give me a call.
Philip LaDue
IATSE Local #21 Newark, NJ

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Re: Finding ASMs
« Reply #2 on: Nov 07, 2007, 12:19 am »
The theater department listserv at any given school is usually a great place to find people.  Find out which staff member in the department is responsible for sending out announcements to theater majors and minors, and drop them a line to see if it's alright to send the occasional call for help.  At my school we get this kind of thing often from various theater companies in the area.

ScooterSM

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Re: Finding ASMs
« Reply #3 on: Nov 07, 2007, 02:19 pm »
What I have found to be helpful (although it is a bit time consuming) is to contact the head of the SM/Tech depts at local universities, let them know you have positions open that would be perfect for their students, and ask what the best way would be to get the info to the students.  Typically they will ask me to send a posting for them to put up on their call boards, and will occasionally email it to their SM students.  Also ask them if it is possible for their students to get credit (in addition to any $$ that is available) for the work they do.  I have found some amazing ASM's this way.  When you are creating your posting, be very clear as to the skills requirements, work hours, and rehearsal performance locations, and what the compensation is.
www.backstagejobs.com is also a good resource.  You can also check the local area and see if they have a regional job board (for example, New England has www.netheater411.com).

Best of luck!

SSM
« Last Edit: Nov 07, 2007, 05:53 pm by ScooterSM »
“I've never been paid a lot, but the theatre has kept me, and for that I shall be eternally grateful.” Tony Church

Scott

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Re: Finding ASMs
« Reply #4 on: Nov 07, 2007, 04:16 pm »
I did pretty well on the last posting I ran through the Stage Managers' Association -- had a response from one qualified -- for what we are looking for -- candidate within a few hours.

(I like BackstageJobs.com as well but haven't yet hired SMs from there.)

(Did Playbill Online always charge for postings?)

Rhynn

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Re: Finding ASMs
« Reply #5 on: Nov 11, 2007, 09:31 pm »
Contact the local theatre departments and talk about setting up internships.  You can even get great grad students who need to fulfill their internship requirements--usually with very little pay.
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