Just graduated and need advice terribly

[madkisso]

I hope this is the right place to post this question, but my story is:

I just graduated from college and am taking some time off before applying to graduate school to build up my resume.  The problem is, though, that whilst in college I didn't discover Stage Management till a year and half before I graduated and so have almost no experience.  I have applied to some internships but didn't get them because my resume was so bare.  I live in Phoenix, AZ, which is not the greatest place for theatre, although there are some places.  Does anyone have any advice on how to get your foot in the door or what I should do, and also, for those who have applied and gone to grad school, how much experience are they looking for?  Thanks so much.  I am a bit terrified, being at that point of having just graduated college without a clue (besides knowing that I want to be an SM) of what to do next.
Michelle

[crazylady]

Currently, the economy sucks...we all know that - so the job market is a little slow...but that's old news. Apply everywhere, regardless if you think you would actually take the job or if they would actually hire you - leave the hiring decision to them. You also have to be willing to go where the job is, especially now. I haven't been to grad school but, I do know that some people in this economy have gone straight into grad school after college because the hope is that once they get out of grad school the economy will be better.

And it's ok to be lost and not know exactly where you are going. That is actually quite common in this industry. Eventually, that feeling will subside and then it will return, and then you will feel lost again. It is a cycle of constantly re-figuring it out. My first year out of college was the hardest - I can't speak for everyone else. It was hard because I learned that a lot of things that I learned in school really wasn't true after all and I had to relearn certain aspects of the industry. It was also hard because I too felt lost and completely adrift. That's ok. Just keep pushing yourself and you'll figure it out. I know everyone says you'll figure it out and that's really annoying, but it's the truth. While you are finding out exactly where you want to be and so on, don't pigeon hole yourself and remember to allow yourself to switch plans. As SM's we LOVE to know what's happening months from now in our lives and unfortunately that's not always possible. And sometimes when you make plans and finally get there, you realize this is the wrong plan and so you come up with a new one. Flexibility and amazing friends who will bolster you up when you are having the hardest times are key.

You'll find your way - we all did.

[bethanyb5]

my thoughts are this:
as crazylady said apply to everything. I would add to that also try to round out your experiences. do some Ushering, House Management, Light or Sound Board Op, Crew, Box Office. This will not only widen your understanding of theater and how things work it will also fill up your resume and who knows you might find you like one of those things better then SMing. A lot of Theaters use Volunteer Ushers and you get to see the show for free. Also doing these various things opens door for more. You may get a chance to network with an SM while you are running lights and then the SM asks you to be the ASM on the next show. Building your resume takes time to take every opportunity to put something on it.

[missliz]

I had I think 1 SM credit when I graduated from college. I got my degrees in lit crit/theory and directing, but I had discovered I really liked SMing and was pretty good at it. I decided to just GET IN A THEATER. I got my first post-grad job as the box office manager at a summer stock theater. I let the producer and artistic director know, casually, that I was REALLY interested in SMing and if anything came up, I'd love to help out there too. End of the summer, the resident SM had to leave, and they pulled me in to do it! It's all gone great from there. So my advice is just get in the back door, so to speak, and don't be afraid to say that you're really interested in pursuing something else.

[sp010123]

I am a theatre diploma student but I get my experiences elsewhere. And mostly I get my jobs from my friends.

Don't hesitate to try for every post. I have been a ticketing staff, an usher, an ASM, a DSM, a stage crew, a projection operator, a lighting crew...everything helps in my SM career. I start off as volunteer but now I am getting paid.

Just ask your friends who are in the industry if there are any small shows where you can fit in...starting with community theatre is a good choice...in Hong Kong we have a saying 'everyone start off with the cultural centre studio (a small community theatre venue)'

Good luck : )

[madkisso]

Aaah,
I know it is been a while (a month) but I wanted to thank all of you that posted.  I did just what you said - the part about continuing to apply everywhere - and got an internship!!  It is in Ithaca, NY at Kitchen Theatre.  I don't know much about this theatre but am super excited.  It is only a 6-month internship, but once I am there I will continue to do the other part of the advice all of you gave me, the part about volunteering and trying to get in the back way.  Again, thank you everyone; I was almost beginning to despair.
Michelle

[JenniferS.]

I've only heard good things about the Kitchen--and I go to a lot of productions there, I'm a student at Ithaca College. Ithaca is a great place to live, good luck!

[bemalk]

Congrats on the internship! Ithaca is a great place to be! I interned at the Hangar Theatre which shares offices with Kitchen and they all seemed to be some pretty great people there.  Make sure to take some time to check out the waterfalls and shortstop deli!

[MarcieA]

Aaah,
I know it is been a while (a month) but I wanted to thank all of you that posted.  I did just what you said - the part about continuing to apply everywhere - and got an internship!!  It is in Ithaca, NY at Kitchen Theatre.  I don't know much about this theatre but am super excited.  It is only a 6-month internship, but once I am there I will continue to do the other part of the advice all of you gave me, the part about volunteering and trying to get in the back way.  Again, thank you everyone; I was almost beginning to despair.
Michelle

Hey congrats to you! I know someone who does a lot of work with the Kitchen - she's pretty awesome. I hope you enjoy Ithaca, it's a great town!