When is a good time to write?

[pinkros]

I was fortunate enough to finish my degree (Drama and Theatre Studies and English Literature) and get a job with a touring theatre company as their technician. They took me on and trained me up as I quickly realised my experience of technical theatre from university was very limited. Seeing a new venue every few days, with differing practices, learning more sound and lighting than I did in two years of my uni course, and becoming proficient in operating around two hundred and fifty cues during the show definitely gave me the touring bug, but I'm having trouble finding the next job.

 

I'm based back in Manchester and have been looking online for jobs since I came back late November. Although I learn quickly, I don't have all the answers, so jobs that have come up (experience two yrs min) just don't seem right to apply for. Anything London based (usually one or two day's work) usually would cost me money to do and although I don't mind travelling, I don't know if that's what I should be looking at.

 

The research I've done into Manchester Theatre comes up with The Lowry, The Palace, The Contact, The Greenroom - all fairly big venues. I have Technical manager contact names for most, but have had trouble phrasing the covering letter. My recent experience goes on there, but somehow I need to say that I'm still learning. How is it best to phrase 'will work for free, just give me a chance' without it sounding quite like that? Is this the right time to be writing to venues? Will a CV now get lost amongst panto profiles? Should I wait for the New Year? Any advice welcome.

 

Am I going about this wrong? Should I concentrate on more training? The thought of another couple of thousand pounds worth of debt is not appealing, but the Royal Welsh College does a two year stage management/technical course. Anyone done it/on it/heard about it?

 

Any advice, comments most welcome :)

[Dj Dunc]

What about looking for work experience type stuff rather than as a job

[gareth]

Don't work for free!! A fair day's pay for a fair day's work, and all that. The best bet is to get in touch with all the local venues you can think of (in the Manchester area, that'll be the ones that you mentioned, plus the Library, the Bridgewater Hall, the Royal Exchange and the Opera House, and possibly the RNCM as well) and ask to be added to their casual list. If you've got transport, you could also venture a bit further afield - the Everyman, the Playhouse, the Philharmonic Hall and the Empire in Liverpool, or maybe even Clwyd Theatr Cymru in Mold (it's only 30-40 mins drive if you're on the right side of Manchester).

 

Perhaps follow up the letter a couple of weeks later with a phone call to the chief electrician, checking that they've had your letter and suggesting that, if they would like, you could maybe pop in to see them for a chat.

 

There's no good or bad time to write to a venue asking about cassie work. Now's as good a time as any - you'll catch people while their Christmas shows are still running, before they get into any hectic get-outs and production periods for whatever their next show is.

[pinkros]

venture a bit further afield - the Everyman, the Playhouse, the Philharmonic Hall and the Empire in Liverpool, or maybe even Clwyd Theatr Cymru in Mold (it's only 30-40 mins drive if you're on the right side of Manchester).

 

Thanks for the advice I'll add them to the list :) I don't want to under-sell myself, but I know that I'm not great at sound, is this important to put in a covering letter? or is it only the positives? Sometimes it's good just to check what other people think thanks for your respone, I'll get on with putting some CVs in the post next week.

[Jivemaster]

May I suggest that work and past jobs will be of more value than more paper qualifications!

[gareth]

Don't dwell on the negatives or any gaps in your experience, just emphasise the positive aspects of your CV. No-one will realistically expect a 'fresh' casual who's relatively new to the business to have a comprehensive set of electrics skills - enthusiasm, common sense, an ability to get on with people and a positive attitude are just as important in my book. Once you manage to get onto the casual lists at a few venues and start working on get-ins and shows, you'll soon start to pick things up and fill in some of the gaps in your knowledge. It's not as though you're a completely raw inexperienced novice, as you do have a little experience under your belt and that'll count for something.

 

Good luck. (If you venture as far afield as Clwyd Theatr Cymru, I'll see you then! :))

[Ynot]

Don't work for free!! A fair day's pay for a fair day's work, and all that. The best bet is to get in touch with all the local venues you can think of

Definitely!! No-one will employ you if they don't know you're there!!

Perhaps follow up the letter a couple of weeks later with a phone call to the chief electrician, checking that they've had your letter and suggesting that, if they would like, you could maybe pop in to see them for a chat.[Also very good advice - standard for any job.

 

You said you were a bit unsure of your CV...

If you want some constructive advice, there are several people experienced with vetting applications & interviewing here on the BR - maybe some would give your applications & CV the once over - I'd be happy to myself if you like. My exp is outside of the entertainment business, but I reckon I could give it a fair old run for you.

 

Tony

[3guk]

Not sure if you have mentioned the library theatre, but that must be worth a try too. Failing that, how about trying some local hire companies, working for them gets you trained up on a variety of kit very quickly.

 

MCLAV , Tube, VME, HSL, Keylight, Manchester Light and Sound, dbn, concert sound and Northern Stage spring to mind.

 

Have you looked in "The Stage" for jobs? How about stagejobspro?

 

Failing all of the above try local schools esp private ones, Withington Girls School, Manchester Grammar and the like, whilst it may sound dull I know mgs has quite good kit.

[Jivemaster]

If I need to sharpen skills, I write down where I want to work, order them and start with the least favourite, then you don't mess up on the place you really most want to settle at. It also forces you to find LOTS of smaller places, little venues, etc that otherwise you would perhaps miss. Ring your local council licensing authority, they will perhaps (likely) supply a list of performance licensed venues in your area, - prob about ten time sthe ones you can think of.

[pinkros]

Thanks for all the great advice - I'm back now from New Years and am starting the job hunt in earnest. Hope to post in the future with many intriguing job related topics!

 

Ros

[Just Some Bloke]

I don't want to under-sell myself, but I know that I'm not great at sound, is this important to put in a covering letter?

Don't dwell on the negatives or any gaps in your experience, just emphasise the positive aspects of your CV.

I would agree with Gareth as far as a cv goes - only emphasise the positive and don't mention the negative. However, if you get into a discussion with a technical manager which looks like it may be leading to an offer of casual work, then I would mention any gaps in your knowledge at that point. The worst thing would be to go on their books, get booked for a sound job, do it badly and never get called again. Far better to admit what you're not so good at, adding that you'd love to work with someone else on a sound job so you could assist and learn at the same time. Then remind him/her what you're good at and that way you'll get called for the right types of job.

 

HTH