A couple of months ago I got an out of the blue Facebook message from a friend of a friend. She was producing a show and looking for an Equity SM and she figured I was probably busy but could I maybe help her come up with some names. I responded right away looking for more information: dates, responsibilities, etc. I could certainly help come up with some names, but you never know – maybe it would work with my own schedule. Facebook turned to email and phone calls. Turns out I’d been recommended by a couple of cast members and she remembered my support of her show from a previous incarnation. Yesterday we confirmed things, and in December I’ll be joining the Atomic Vaudeville team as the Stage Manager for the national tour of Ride the Cyclone (please see the dates at the bottom of this post).
The cast of Ride the Cyclone at the Arts Club Review Stage, fall 2011.
Yup. That Ride the Cyclone. The one I listed in my 2011 Year in Review: Theatrical Excellence post as “The Best Show that Everyone Agrees is the Best.” The one that Kelly Nestruck at The Globe and Mail called, “probably the most uproarious and outrageous piece of musical theatre Canada has ever produced” One of the things that excites me about this contract is that I will have the privilege of seeing this amazing show eight times a week for four months.
This is just the latest in a series of gigs that have come not from job postings or even resumes that I’ve sent cold to companies but rather from the network of relationships that I’ve spent the last seven years building. And to be honest, it’s a beautiful place to be. I’m booked from now until next spring with really cool gigs, have couple projects up my sleeve for fall 2013 and even a reservation on my calendar for spring of 2014. And I am starting think that this is really how it should work: it shouldn’t always have to be a struggle. And it is so gratifying to see all the “soft” work pay off.
Ride the Cyclone will be playing the following cities/dates in 2013:
Calgary, T.B.A. Jan 9-12
Vancouver, PUSH Festival/Arts Club, Jan 17-Feb 16
Edmonton, Citadel Theatre, Feb 22-Mar 10
Winnipeg, MTC Warehouse, Mar 21-Apr 6
Saskatoon, Persephone Theatre, Apr 17-21
Hope to see you at the show!
Hi Lois,
Really liking your blog and congrats on the show! Sounds great. Just wondering- I’m in college right now and just starting to get into the field- doing a lot of shows I’ve found on craigslist for little/no pay. I’m hoping to have built up some relations hips before I graduate that will lead to PA positions to start. You might have answered this in past posts, but how has sending out cold mailings worked for you in the past?
Congratulations! They are excellent people.
Hey Katie,
While I’ve blogged about job hunting in general, a look around shows me that I haven’t ever posted how cold mailings worked. For three years I sent out physical hard copies with a custom cover letter, resume, headshot & reference letters to upwards of 65 companies across the country. In 2011 I switched to electronic copy. While I found that cold mailings didn’t translate into immediate jobs, I did get responses of some sort from approximately 50% of those I mailed to, and often those were able to turn into informational interviews where they didn’t have a job for me at that point but were interested in meeting and getting to know each other. And a few of those meetings turned into work a couple of years down the road. So ultimately, I think cold mailings were useful for me at that point in my career, but I don’t envision myself doing another massive one any time soon. It was, however, a good way to get connected to companies I liked and respected and to let them know that I wanted to work with them in the future.
That’s amazing! Congratulations!
I still haven’t seen the show, but I hope to someday.
Nancy – If we don’t make our way to you, perhaps you should take a road trip to come and see us!