WHAT DO I DO NOW?


Six a.m. and the automatic alarm in your head goes off. You bolt into an upright position and pick at the sleep stuck in the corner of your left eye. Stifling a yawn, you allow yourself a slow stretch before swinging your legs over the side of the bed.

Then you remember - you don't have classes anymore. You have graduated from your post secondary performing arts institution. Gone are the early morning stretch classes, the vocal ensembles, the student showcases and the schedule you have been following diligently for the past three years.

This can be a very unsettling time for graduates of any post secondary college or university degree. The prospect of job hunting and finding your place in the world makes you want to climb back into the safety of your cozy, warm bed and pull the covers up over your head.

But you can't! If you want to have career in the performing arts, you have to get out there and get a job.

But without an agent or any leads, you wonder where to start.

The following list might jump-start you on your way and is by no means exhaustive of all the potential possibilities you may turn up on your own:

1. Get your portfolio in order (pictures,resume,school records) so that you can take it with you to interviews and auditions.

2. Research potential agents and find out how to go about making contact with them.

3. Read newspapers, entertainment magazines and notices posted at libraries, music schools, music stores and anywhere else someone might be looking for talent.

4. Go to any auditions that are looking to cast performers with your experience and education

5. Network with fellow graduates of your program to share information about agents looking to sign clients, performance and audition opportunities and related jobs in the entertainment field. (Think outside the box - maybe a local theatre needs an usher or ticket taker or a business is looking for someone to stand out in front handing out flyers or wear a costume to advertise an upcoming promotion).

6. Get a part-time job (or a full-time one with a flexible schedule) to pay the bills. See if you can find a boss who will allow you time off for auditions etc. (Remember, if you can prove that you're a hard worker and a team player, you can likely earn the priviledge of switching shifts when you have a potential gig or audition).

The copyright of the article WHAT DO I DO NOW? in Musical Theatre is owned by . Permission to republish WHAT DO I DO NOW? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Go To Page: 1 2

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic