"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go." ~T.S. Eliot

"You were once wild here, don't let them tame you!" ~Isadora Duncan

"Be faithful to that which exists within yourself." ~Andre Gide

"Follow your bliss!" ~J. Campbell ... and my folks!

"The idea of waiting for something makes it more exciting." ~Andy Warhol

"There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living." ~Nelson Mandela

"...open and expanding like an unfinished book..." ~Quote from a friend, Travis Judd

"Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible." ~St. Francis of Assisi

"And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same." ~Nelson Mandela

"The capacity to be puzzled is ... the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science." ~Erich Fromm

"Between two evils, I always pick the one I never tried before." ~Mae West

"Theatre is a form of knowledge; it should and can also be a means of transforming society. Theatre can help us build our future, rather than just waiting for it." ~Augusto Boal

Monday, February 28, 2011

Family Help Rocks.

Today my mother gave me the name of someone she knows, who knows the Managing Director (I think) of the Saratoga Children's Theatre and they said to contact them and to use their name. Woo hoo!

This past week my brother sent me a few links for jobs he found when perusing online stuff. Thanks!

And a week or so ago my uncle sent me a link to a job I can apply for in Vermont. Thanks as well.

Tomorrow I will deal with all of these ... and whatever else I can find.

My aunt has also sent me a few job ads in the past, and so have a few of my friends. It's super nice to know that some of my family and friends are looking out for me! Thanks all!!! You rock!

Today.

Today I spent a large portion of the day working on production sheets for the festival I am Stage Managing in May. Several one woman shows ... it's gonna be cool!

I also spent part of my time looking up some photography contests I can enter ... it's one of those "other jobs" I've thought of doing over time (and sometimes still wonder ...). So, we'll see. I've only ever submitted a photo of mine to one photo contest in the past, and which right now I can't even remember the contests title.

Tomorrow brings in a new month and a day for application submissions!!!

Until then ...

Sunday, February 27, 2011

A week of full time work.

It was super nice to have a full week of - 9-5 style - work!
And super tiring, hahaha, working with kids ages 5 to 12 all day long is exactly that!
But it felt great to be working for a whole week like an adult ... even if I did have to drive to and from work on Friday in a horrible snow storm, never going over 35mph, and usually going at about 20mph. Grrrrr to the snow!!!

And now back to part time work ... job hunting ... and all that jazz!

Wish me luck! :o)

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

This week ...

This week I'm not likely to do very much on here as I'm working full time for Drama Kids ... I'm doing the Winter Break "Summer" Camp. Haha. At any rate, full day with lesson plan adjustments at night - plus being a bit more tired than usual since I'm playing with K-6th graders all day long. Haha.

I will also be working on some pre-festival paperwork for the WAM festival I'm Stage Managing. :o)

So there...that is all for now.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Mask Workshop at the local HS.

On Thursday I was allowed to attend a Mask Workshop that the Art/IB Theatre classes were having after school at the High School (yeah for my Aunt who's the IB Theatre Teacher). A guy named Richard H. (have to get his last name from my Aunt) who lives fairly locally and works in masks ... big time, he's done things for theatre companies and for George Lucas' company with masks for Universal Studios and such, came to talk to the students. Anyway, really cool.

And SUPER cool because he gave me two fairly local theatre companies to check out - I LOVE MASKS AND PUPPETRY ... woo hoo!

Metawee River

and

Puppet People

Time to google, and contact these companies to see if there is any way I can work with them!

:o)

Friday, February 18, 2011

A great phone interview and its silent no.

I just realized that the Bristol Valley job, the one where I had what I thought was a really great phone interview, must be a no. I was told on the phone that they'd be making their decision at the beginning of February and we are now in the middle of it. Sigh...oh well...the experience at least left me feeling like I can have a good phone interview.

Phone interviews are really difficult.
Without the person being in front of you, you can't read facial expressions etc...but I digress...

Thursday, February 17, 2011

An email no w/out the word No.

I received this email today, and I find it amusing as the email says 'no I'm not getting the job', without ever using the word no.

:o)

"Dear Ms. Hall:

We appreciate your interest in NAME OF COMPANY HERE and the position of Production Manager for which you applied. The selection committee appreciates the time you invested in your application. We encourage you to apply for posted and advertised positions in our company, for which you qualify, in the future.

We wish you every personal and professional success with your job search and in the future. Thank you, again, for your interest in our company."

Maybe next time. :o)

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Self Made Work

I might have titled another post, in January, the same way as this one ... but it makes sense to follow my previous entry with this (and so the post title makes sense):

My company also has an upcoming 24 Hour Project ... I've created a 24 Hour Theatre Series that has had 3 successful rounds to date.
"24 Hours: Underground"
"A 24 Hour: Pub"
"24 Hours: in a Library"

The first two rounds were in London, and were professional. The third round, while it had several professional participants, was our first High School round - and it went really well.

Our next round - the title of which I can not tell you, as you can see from the above titles each round has a specific theme, and in order to keep everyone working "only in the moment" (in other words, no pre-planning), I keep the theme to myself until the playwrights arrive and begin work.

So ... "24 Hours: TBA" will take place at Greenville High School on March 11 & 12, the performance will be on March 12th at 3pm in the HS Auditorium.

Perhaps we will see you there???!!!

*And now, what does this have to do with the price of tea in china? Well, as I've said before, self made work is a LARGE part of this field. If I were simply going to sit around until something fell into my lap ... I'd turn to ashes ... haha. So, this 24 Hour Theatre Series is one of my self made jobs, and I love it!

So while it's not applying for work, it is me making work for myself ... and I do hope to turn this 24 Hour Series into something I can market ... so ... here's hoping!

"Say goodnight Gracie."

Another gig with WAM.

Cool.

Today I confirmed that I will be working, volunteering not paid, for WAM's first "24 Hour Theatre Project". Date: March 26, 2011

Working with WAM on their 24 Hour project will be the second time that I partake in a 24 Hour project that isn't mine (the series that I've started with my company HallWay Productions). The first time I worked on one outside my company was last summer in NYC with Coffee Black Productions - I was one of the directors. For WAM's I will be the Stage Manager.

I'll let ya know how it goes ... and or, come see how it goes!

"24 Hour Theatre Project" @ The Arts Center of the Capital Region, Troy, NY on March 26th, 2011
(Time to come ...)

For tickets and information go to:
www.wamtheatre.com

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Slacker me.

I'm such a slacker. After work yesterday and today I did nothing regarding new applications or even job hunting. The only thing I did over the past two days was to juggle my schedule to deal with two of my summer gigs...I HATE SCHEDULING!!! It really does seem like I've got nothing OR multiple things for the same time frame. Looks like I've got to do two different gigs, on opposite sides of the country, back to back. I'll have exactly one day in between, and that's only because I won't be there for the final day (final performance) of the first gig. Grrrrrrrowl!

Oh, and I've been working on my bio to send to WAM for the gig in May ... gotta finish that and send it off tomorrow morning.

And for now, that is all she wrote.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Writing ... work ... ???

Ok, well today I worked on some of the things I am attempting to write ... haha, that sounds funny ... attempting to write. Well I guess it's true though, I mean, I'm taking a stab at it. Giving it the old college try ... bad pun's need to stop, done.

Today I worked on the one and only play that I've really ever written. It's a one act. There's still an element to it that I've not been able to work out. The play is several short scenes between two people, and the chronology goes in reverse. Between each scene I've written in something called the 'rewind' ... something that will help the audience know that we're going backwards in time - and time to change the minimal set pieces. The problem is, I have no idea what the rewinds should be. At any rate, the scenes are done.

I've had my mother read it and I've sent it off to a trusted friend to see what she thinks ...
Mom says she likes the dialogue and thinks it's written well ... she found it a bit awkward to read having the time line go backwards but she thinks it will read well on stage - until we were chatting after she read it, I'm not sure got that the rewinds are where the audience will understand we are going back in time ... or the fact that I've not yet figured exactly out what they should be. All in all a positive review from Mom with a few things to work out.

Aside from that, I also spent some time working on a story I've got going ... not sure what it will turn into ... but it's defo a short story or something along those lines, it's not a script.

So, that is the "work" I did on this fine Sunday ... when I wasn't watching "Pillars of the Earth" and falling just a bit in smit with a good British actor named Eddie Redmayne (I think that's his name ... he plays Jack in the mini-series). ;o)

And now, before I go to bed, I shall pick up the book I am currently reading.

:o)

Saturday, February 12, 2011

No I didn't.

Today's no is really rather simple, NO I didn't do any job hunting or job applications today.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Some days it is very hard to keep motivated in this bloody field.
I've been working in - or studying - theatre for 13 years ... when is it going to feel like it, like I've actually accomplished something?
Some days I can see how much I have done and all the places I've been and things I've learned and experienced. And some days it feels like I am just another fish - a tiny little smelt, swimming next to a million other identical little smelts ... who would ever notice 'that one'?

So now I remind myself that I've just gotten a job, and a good one at that. A job that will also, hopefully, help me network some more both inside and outside the particular theatre I'll be working with. And I remind myself of all the theatre I have done - internationally - and all the places I have been ... and that I have good ideas, and that if I keep on keeping on ... perhaps, one day (SOON PLEASE) something "big" and "awesome" and "perfect for me" will happen.

I really am awesome, PERFECT JOB GOD'S ... find me and HIRE ME, please!!!

Friday, February 11, 2011

No ... one ... no one ...

Today's no is that I feel NO one is reading this blog.
This leads me to question why I am doing it?!
Is it too early for me to feel this way, seeing as I only began the blog a month ago today - ha, I didn't even realize that until I typed it just now. Hmmm...but I digress, is anyone reading this?

Thursday, February 10, 2011

And so it goes ... another no.

Ahhh balance. I suppose I should think of it in Balinese terms and strive for the balance between good and bad, though it's hard to do when it appears that there is more on the "bad" side of the scale than the "good" - specifically where work (or job hunting) is concerned.

And so it goes, with every positive albeit little foot forward, there also comes more NO!

Today I received an official letter from the Williamstown Theatre Festival telling me that they are unable to offer me the fellowship for this summer. NO! Sigh...the summer job I wanted the most is a no. I'm sure it is a generic rejection letter sent to everyone that they are not awarding the fellowship too, but there is one line in it that - small silver lining - makes me feel good, even if they didn't specifically name my qualities.

"The applicant pool this year was impressive and we were forced to turn away many candidates with extraordinary accomplishments."

So I am officially counting myself as one of those! Hahaha. ;o)

And there you have it, yesterday I'm hired for a job and today I'm rejected by one. Some days it's really hard to remember why I chose this profession! I love stage managing and am very excited about my upcoming position, but I'm always getting no's for the directing jobs that I really really want.

It is so hard to become a director, one that people know about, respect, admire and want to hire. I apply for scripts that have already been chosen by a company and jobs where I put in a proposal for something that I want to do. This fellowship - had I gotten it - would have meant me working on a project that I'd "created" - with a team of actors and a playwright, from the ground up. And I really think my idea is good, no GREAT! So now I will contact a friend at my former undergrad and see if he and I can't work it out so that we do it at the Uni.

Wish me luck!

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Happy Birthday To Me!

Woo hoo!!!

I got the Production Stage Manager job with WAM Theatre in Troy, NY!!!!

Woo hoo! Oh Yeah! Happy Birthday To Me!

:o)

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Application for the day.

So I've just sent out an inquiry for Hartford Children's Theatre (in Connecticut), about their part time Teaching Artists position(s). As I currently live in NY and work part time with Dk, I thought there might be an opportunity to do a commuter job on say Friday's ... or for something in the future. We shall see what transpires.

I don't know, I guess it feels like I needed to apply for something. And the job would be near some family I've got in CT (always nice). And well ... I dunno, like I said, who knows what the future holds.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On an entierly different note:
SCHEDULES ... scheduling is a nightmare at the best of times! I hate it when things overlap, and we all know that it's either a draught or pouring, right?! Well, it's not exactly pouring right now, but every time I get something (no matter how big or small the job is) something else ALWAYS comes up for the SAME (or at least some of the same) dates. Grrrrrrrrr-owl!!!

And I have the hardest time saying NO. Especially if I've committed to a project, even if the pay is better somewhere else, backing out or altering plans - or telling someone NO, is super difficult! Funny that, seeing as no one seems to have a problem saying it to me. But, well, I guess it's the nature of the biz and all that jazz. Always scheduling ... trying to make everything fit ...

And now...onto DK planning for today's lessons and working on the other applications I've got, though they'll likely not get applied too until tomorrow.

And that is all...for the moment.
There is no post from yesterday, Monday the 7th of February for Monday the 7th of February.

I'm really rather dreadful at this ...

Monday, February 7, 2011

Superbowl Sunday's Post

NO.

So it doesn't look good for the nanny gig, due to my drama kids schedule. They aren't able to find anyone who can cover the times I'll be in class ... so ... but then again, it's not a total no because they've asked if I'd be available and open for weekend jobs. It's more like baby sitting, but if they need one and I'm available then why not?! :o)

So, now I guess I just have to wait and see.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Question

Hey ... so is anyone reading this blog? Haha. For real though, my question to anyone who might be reading, dost thou have any advice on where I can look for jobs?

I use backstagejobs.com, playbill.com, letsgoarts.org, as well as craigs list (on occasion). I've used TCG in the past, but don't currently have access to it. And sometimes I simply google search "theatre jobs" "drama jobs" "drama/theatre teaching jobs" etc...but any other known sites would be great to know about!

I have a few places to look for jobs in Seattle, since I'll be there in August my friend gave me some places to check in the hopes that I can get some interviews for when I'm out there.

Any other suggestions are welcomed and appreciated!

Thanks.

Happy Superbowl Weekend (I really don't do American Football...hahaha)

The Job Hunt

I've gotta make a better habbit of getting these posts done at night rather than the next day ... otherwise all the dates of the actual "doing's" are off ... not that that really matters now does it?

So the job hunt continues. I'm super greatful for my current part time gig, and the fact that I've got the substitute teaching days at times ... here's hoping one (if not both) of my recent interviews yields some more paid work ... and NETWORKING!!!

Right, so yesterday I searched around on line for more jobs to apply for and found a few. I'm finding it hard though, well what else is new ... but now that I've secured two summer gigs - each one taking part of, but not all of the summer - I have to find jobs that supplement them or begin after them. PLUS, there's always the 'do I apply for a job that has overlapping dates, if it's a better paying gig'? ARGH...sometimes it's so hard!!!

That aside, I am now looking at where I might be able to interview for work beginning in September '11 while I am out in Seattle in August. Here's hoping I find some! :o)

And that is that for yesterday's post. Today's will come later.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Awesome Interview!

Yesterday I had a really great interview with one of the founding members of WAM Theatre Company. We talked for over an hour! :o) She's checking my references now, and I'm checking to see if I can arrange my DK schedule a bit for the 2 weeks of the job - it's PSM for a 2 Week Festival they've got coming up in May.

Here's hoping!

Either way, I really want to get involved with this company!

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Application Sent

I just emailed an application for a Stage Manager's (touring) position with NTC Productions, based in Omaha, NE. We shall see what transpires.

The second SM job I had found the other day, turns out the shows run dates overlap both of the summer commitments that I've already made...so it's out.

;o)

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

A Fresh Month

Happy February First, and Happy Snow Day - to many in the North East - I hear we're due 15" here tomorrow ... YIPES!!! Right. Well a fresh month means new applications and interviews (hopefully).


YESTERDAY - Jan. 31st - I found two great Stage Manager jobs to apply for, and am in the process of sprucing up my cover letters for them.

Is "Re: Awesome Stage Manager For Hire" to bold?

~I had my nanny "interview" yesterday. It was really more of a meet and chat, and I think it went really well, they're a lovely family with a lovely little girl! Now I just have to wait and see if they can find someone to fill in the times I'm at Drama Kids ... here's hoping! :o)

TODAY: another book held my undivided attention, which I allowed once I got the word that Drama Kids was being cancelled due to the weather. Tomorrow, even if we get the 15" of snow (um, I'm hoping for WAY less) I will send out my stuff to the two SM jobs I found yesterday.

And that is all for today.