Messages

1

Employment / Re: Finding jobs in NYC

« on: Jan 24, 2011, 05:21 am »

Thanks for all the info.

I've been reading 'Stage Manager-The Professional Experience' to try and get myself au fait with the way things are done in the US, don't know if anyone has seen/read it and knows how accurate it is?

I do have a couple of questions if anyone can answer them. It looks like from the forums that you do do rehearsal reports but in Larry Fazio's book he seems to miss them out entirely. I assume rehearsal reports are done in the same way as in the UK- sent out every day to Director, designers, all stage management and heads of department with sections for each updating them on any relevant info from rehearsals? 

My other question is union related. Fazio says "The SM must also learn not to do any technical work that has been designated as union stage crew's work, even if it something as innocuous as picking up a broom and sweeping"- how true is this and does this apply everywhere. If so what are the jobs that I need to avoid to stop myself stepping on toes? In the UK as an ASM I would definitely be sweeping the stage although in opera in the UK I have found it to be much more departmentalised and the crew would sweep the stage. What should I expect?

Thanks for your help

2

The Green Room / Re: Best one-liner from a performance report

« on: Jan 21, 2011, 06:51 am »

From a performance of Sweeney Todd:

"When Toby removed his hat he also removed his wig which flew into the orchestra pit and hit a percussionist on the head"

3

Employment / Finding jobs in NYC

« on: Jan 21, 2011, 06:06 am »

Hi,

I'm moving to New York in March with my husband (who is being posted there for work) from the UK. I'm a relatively recent graduate of a stage management degree at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and have worked on a number of short term professional assistant stage management jobs in the UK.

My query basically is what's the best way to find paid stage management work in the US? I've checked out quite a few websites (backstage jobs etc) and lots of the jobs seem to be internships/unpaid etc and seem far and few between (I know this is pretty common for stage management jobs!). In the UK we have a trade newspaper called The Stage where pretty much every theatre/company in the country advertise jobs-does anything like this exist?

And if not what's the best way to go about finding jobs? In the UK sending out CVs (resumes) to lots of theatre companies sometimes throws up jobs, is that a good idea here or not?

Obviously have a good network of contacts is useful too- so what's the best way to make contacts in NY?

I apologise for the number of questions and any help/advice you can give is much appreciated! Oh I also apologise for my British spelling of theater!