Child Wrangling

[newtsalimander]

Hey everyone!

I am looking into becoming a child wrangler. i have alot of experience with children in and out of theatre. I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to get into the child wrangling business or any resources? Let me know.
Thanks

[BLee]

Check out the Music@Menlo internship program. I remember they had two girls who were child coordinators. Great job, plus a stipend in Northern California.

M@M is a classical music festival that has a music camp for school aged children. The children are a lot of fun and very talented.

http://www.musicatmenlo.org/

[theatreannie]

This is off Playbill.com

--Signature Theatre Company, one of New York’s leading off-Broadway theatres, is looking for a Production Assistant/Child Wrangler for its upcoming production of Horton Foote's The Orphans' Home Cycle. Production Assistant reports directly to the Production Stage Manager. The position provides a focus on stage management for the non-profit theatre. Responsibilities include:

You can find the rest under Job Listings

[klcurrie]

where are you located?  I know of some potential jobs in the DC area.

[kallulah]

I'm sorry if this is an ignorant question, but what is child-wrangling?  I've never heard this term before.

I immediately had visions of rodeos, and out of control children. 

Hints please?

[planetmike]

I immediately had visions of rodeos, and out of control children. 

Your vision is closer than you might think.

[PSMKay]

Usually if there are children backstage, someone is assigned to keeping track of them, particularly in the case of childrens' choruses, etc.  This task is called child wrangling.  I believe it is derived from "animal wrangler" which is, as you might guess, the same job but for animals.

[Tempest]

Hooray for truth in advertising!

By-the-by, everyone, if you're ever offered an ASM position for a show that has lots of kids, be sure to ask if there will be a seperate child wrangler, or if it will be included in your duties.  I made a less-than-informed descision once.  16 kids and I once spent a very miserable Christmas season, together... 

[Thespi620]

Community summer theaters ALWAYS have tons of kids in their casts and can use all of the help they can get. 

The town I grew up in puts on massive productions each summer involving literally hundreds of kids (think 250 Americans, mostly college and younger and 50 Parisians, 9-13 in "Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.") and is always willing to take on an extra person backstage to ensure that entrances are made on time and costume changes happen/kids don't sneak into the audience to watch with their parents.

Community theater can be a great way to get child wrangling experience under your belt and on your resume and really dive in to make sure you like the job. Not all of them pay, but it's worth a shot if you have the time and interest.

[BlantonRK]

I LOVE using child wranglers because the alternative is a backstage parent. [shudder]

[On_Headset]

child wrangler n. (theatrical)
1) The only ASM who didn't get a written contract until it was too late.
2) An unfortunate parent who didn't realize they volunteered for this.
3) A fresh-faced college student who will soon learn that Peter Pan's Lost Boys eat only three things for breakfast: ravioli, hot dogs, and the good intentions of fresh-faced college students.
4) Someone who is actually good with children, who can motivate them to follow directions without use of force or bribery, who genuinely enjoys the job despite almost no compensation, and who never has any trouble finding a parking spot in the vicinity of the theatre for the magical unicorn which carries them from the fairy palace in the gumdrop kingdom every morning.

See also: "Hey, can you do me a small favour? Just a tiny one."

[kallulah]

Oh my god.  I think I'm a child wrangler.   

[BlantonRK]

Oh my god.  I think I'm a child wrangler.   

Admitting you have a problem is the first step!

[SMfairy]

I'd never heard of this term before! In England the much less amusing term is 'chaperone'. I however, much prefer the use of the world 'wrangler' for its more honest description of the job!

[missliz]

Oh my god.  I think I'm a child wrangler.   

It's alright....I've been a child wrangler and gasp enjoyed it. Perhaps this is because I have also been a teacher?


Anyway, I've worked with many child actors at, well, different levels of professionalism but it's usually turned out fine. I think the key is patience, focus, and the ability to think like a child and keep things at their level.