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Employment / Is there such a thing as picking the wrong show?
« on: Mar 17, 2012, 11:50 am »
Hello,
I am an AEA stage manager with experience in LORT theaters. I have recently (two weeks ago) moved to New York. I moved with the understanding that it would take time to network and get sm jobs, but after only a week I was offered two showcases and an asm gig which I had to turn down because of a conflict. Although they pay a very small stipend, I was excited that this all happened so fast, I'm making connections! But now that the pixie dust has settled, I question whether I should have thought a little more about my choices after having to turn down the one show. How do you know what jobs you should do for "free" and which should you pass on? My first reaction to my own question was, "a show is a show", but the reality is not all shows are equal and some will ultimately be more rewarding than others. I love stage managing, but want to make this my career and ultimately make a living doing this. I'm just not sure how to decipher the 'non-paying' shows that will help me grow as a stage manager and help advance my career and the ones that I will simply just do?
I am an AEA stage manager with experience in LORT theaters. I have recently (two weeks ago) moved to New York. I moved with the understanding that it would take time to network and get sm jobs, but after only a week I was offered two showcases and an asm gig which I had to turn down because of a conflict. Although they pay a very small stipend, I was excited that this all happened so fast, I'm making connections! But now that the pixie dust has settled, I question whether I should have thought a little more about my choices after having to turn down the one show. How do you know what jobs you should do for "free" and which should you pass on? My first reaction to my own question was, "a show is a show", but the reality is not all shows are equal and some will ultimately be more rewarding than others. I love stage managing, but want to make this my career and ultimately make a living doing this. I'm just not sure how to decipher the 'non-paying' shows that will help me grow as a stage manager and help advance my career and the ones that I will simply just do?