ASPIRATIONS: How To Get To Broadway?

[GradSM]

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to break into Broadway?  I have been PSM'ing a long running Off Broadway musical for almost a year and want to make the jump to Broadway when it's done.  I have sent resumes to BWay PSM's using the information from the theatrical index, but it seems impossible to get in.  I'll PA, I don't care!  I just want to know how to break in so I don't have to leave New York when my show eventually closes.  Suggestions?

[Jessie_K]

This topic comes up a lot.  The leap to Broadway is a difficult one to make.  I believe it really takes connections.

Here are some threads to check out.
http://smnetwork.org/forum/index.php/topic,3827.0.html
http://smnetwork.org/forum/index.php/topic,1327.0.html

Good luck with your job search.

[NomieRae]

I don't think there's a tried and true way to do it--but I can tell you what's worked for friends of mine/myself in the past.

I'd sent out cold resumes like you had and never heard a thing-but low and behold a director I worked with has a Broadway PSM he loves to death and suggested we have dinner. Seemed totally awkward to me to have a networking dinner with a stranger, but I gave it a shot.

We had dinner, got along great, he asked for my resume and etc and a month later he offered me a PA position on a Broadway show. Now, unfortunately the shows budget ended up not being flexible enough to afford PAs for the rehearsal process but I still have that contact who I follow up with on a regular basis.

So it really can be who you know and networking... so start chatting everyone up!

[Rebelsw/oapplause]

I'm not sure if this would work, but perhaps shadowing a show and leaving a resume if they ask? Now I wouldn't go just looking for a job, but you definately could make another contact!