"Senior Showcase"

[SGU312]

Hi all,
Here at my school (Syracuse University), we have a Senior Showcase for the acting and musical theatre majors in the senior class. Only about 20 students are selected to be a part of the showcase. The Design students participate in the show case, with tables setup containing their portfolios, artwork, and resumes. To clarify, the showcase is presented in a theatre in New York City (so the students travels from upstate down to the city). A couple of weeks ago, the senior SM students met, and we were trying to figure out a way to be part of the showcase. Have any of you done some sort of senior showcase? If so, what did you do?
All we could think of doing was having our resumes available.
Thanks in advance for any help or feedback!

[MatthewShiner]

The resume is the obvious answer, but the resume gets you a face to face interview - where you can chat, and sell yourself in person.  So, unless you are standing by the table, shaking hands, handing out business cards, etc . . . it may be an odd situation.

You can always put out calling script samples, samples of paperwork - but to be honest, people hiring understand that all of that can be faked, and paperwork is stolen and rehashed and reused.

It actually throws back a more serious question to the senior stage managers, how does one sell yourself as a stage manager?

[RuthNY]

How about a "Speed-Date Interview" type setup?  Might be fun!

[imrnthewicked]

I am a senior stage management major at Webster University, and will also be doing a New York showcase in the spring.  There are 6 in my class, and we're starting to think about our setup as well.  In the past, the SMs have put up their resumes and headshots, but we are interested in doing something more.  Paperwork examples are an obvious idea... Any more suggestions?
Post Merge: Nov 02, 2011, 01:58 pm

It actually throws back a more serious question to the senior stage managers, how does one sell yourself as a stage manager?

What Matthew said?  Specifically, at such a showcase?

[KMC]

You need to meet and network with people responsibile for the hiring, sell yourself.  Paperwork is largely worthless in terms of hiring a Stage Manager.  Managers are hired for their ability manage people, groups, environments, situations; for their ability to deliver results.  I've never known a manager in any field hired for their ability to use excel or word.  If you've been told otherwise I fear you've been done a great disservice. 

Good on you for making the effort and taking initiative, biggest recommendation is to channel it away from paperwork and portfolios.  Get out there and hit the pavement, meet people, sell yourself.   

[MatthewShiner]

I guess it all depends on the specifics of how the senior show case is set up - but ultimately, some sort of speed dating, or on demand interviews might work if the right people are there, that is production managers or directors.  The issue is right out of school you are going to be hired for internships or PA's (or possibly ASM position) which maybe hired by different people then who are in attendance.  (I mean, often other SM's hire the rest of their team . . . )  I think the typical audience of these things are not the people who make decisions for stage managers.)

[BeccaTheSM]

To piggyback on what Matthew said, maybe the best option is to split the difference. Post your resumes and photos at the showcase, set up your speed dating or what have  you. But take advantage of simply being in New York. Try to shadow a Broadway SM while in town (or several, depending on your trip duration). Find any and every way to meet people who might be able to hire you. And come fully stocked with resumes and business cards.

[aquadrama]

I go to school at Adelphi University just outside New York City. Our program is a general design/tech program. We started doing a show case for the desig/tech students last year, although ours is still small and just hosted at school in the lobby of our performing arts centre. The program is mainly made up of designers and technicians who all have pictures and models and such to display. Everyone was given a space on a table to set up their displays.  I'm one of very few stage managers so what in order to have a presence at the showcase I followed the guidelines for presenting at KCACTF. So I chose one show to represent my work and had a display board with paper work examples and production shots. Then had my prompt script on the table along with a few copies of my resume.
Hope this helps and break legs

[ekylsnav6]

Would anyone be willing to tell me what speed dating is? I've never heard that term used in the context of interviewing or job hunting.

~best~
Matt

[Bwoodbury]

Matt, speed-dating works the same way in job interviews as it does in actual dating. You spend 5-10 minutes with each potential employer and they, in turn, spend 5-10 minutes with each candidate.

[MatthewShiner]

For example, AEA offices in New York does a yearly off-broadway speed dating event where stage managers meet with producers and non-profit theaters who produce on the off-Broadway contract.

It was great way to get "seen" and have face-to-face time . . .

[ekylsnav6]

Thanks guys!

~best~
Matt