Employment right after college

[emoskacrewman]

So i'll be graduating from CCM's Technical Theater program with a focus in TD/ tech production in 2011, and at this rate I will have around 40,000 in student loans to pay back. i'm worried i won't be able to pull this off with a job in the field. can anyone throw me some numbers as far as entry level stagehand/carpenter/technician salaries go?

[emoskacrewman]

ps i'm a cincinnati native, but i'm willing to move/sail anywhere when i get out.

[waynehoskins]

I'd say start making contacts now with your local production companies and community theatres and road houses. Start putting yourself in a position where, upon getting your piece of paper, they might have a place for you that pays money.

Of course, I say this; I got my production/design degree and went to work as a database/website programmer. A college theatre degree and five bucks will buy you a hamburger...

[gafftaper]

Yeah have to agree you need to be out there networking right now. Get a part time job coiling cable at a rental shop or doing anything you can to meet people. Get an internship. Just get out there and meet as many people as you can paid or not to establish a track record.

I've ranted a lot about this in the past but the most important thing in this field is meeting and impressing people. You never know which contact will be the one who makes a phone call to a friend and says... "Hey I met this young guy the other day he was a real hard worker, he might be just the person you need..." It's AMAZING how many jobs in this field happen because of who you know.

[cdub260]

What got me my current position, as M.E., in addition to my degree, was 5 years of overhire at the Pageant, some decent carpentry skills, (Thats right. I said carpentry.), and applying for full time work elsewhere. Of course, I made sure the Pageant knew I was applying to other venues. I was enough of an asset to them, that when they learned that they might lose me, they offered me a full time staff position which I have now held for the better part of 9 years.

Learn as much as you can in school, but don't specialize to the point where you're only good for one particular job. Having multiple skill sets at your disposal makes you far more valuable to any potential employer. Also, getting out in the field and working is every bit as important as your education. This is where you will get to know people who may offer you work in the future, or point people your way when they are looking to hire someone. Networking is important in this industry. This is where the vast majority of my work has come from. Be diligent, work hard, and always try to have a good attitude towards whatever it is you're doing, even if its not your favorite job. As the people you work with and for get to know you and your capabilities, work will either be sent to you or away from you depending on whether you have a good or a bad reputation. Always be an asset to your employers and the reputation will take care of itself.

Finally, be patient. Theatre is a tough industry to break into. You may spend several years barely scraping by before you find your niche. This was true for me, and was likely true of most of the other posters on this site who have been doing theatre for any length of time.

As far as entry level tech positions go, its really going to vary. Most of your work, early on, is going to be of an hourly and temporary nature. Some will pay $10.00 an hour, while others may pay $50.00 per hour. Even as you move farther along in your career, there will be a considerable discrepancy in salaries from one venue to another. As an example, while I'm not going to go into specifics here, the M.E. at the theatre right next door to the Pageant earns considerably less than I do, and likely works harder for his money. They put on 12 shows a year, where my company puts on 1. Do I earn more because I'm better than him? No. I earn more because I work for a company that can afford to pay more. Often that's the only reason one job pays better than a comparable position elsewhere. Don't get discouraged if you're not making what you feel you should. Other opportunities will present themselves. You just need to be prepared to act when they do.

Will it be an easy road? Probably not.

Will it be worth it? If theatre is where you belong, yes.

[Serendipity]

Originally Posted by cdub260

What got me my current position, as M.E. was, in addition to my degree, 5 years of overhire at the Pageant, some decent carpentry skills, (Thats right. I said carpentry.), and applying for full time work elsewhere. (1) [...]
This was true for me, and was likely true of most of the other posters on this sight (2) who have been doing theatre for any length of time.

(1) It seems as though here you're trying to say "aside from my degree, and my 5 years, and my..." as opposed to "aside from my degree, was my 5 years, and my..."
(2) site.

Yes, as everyone is saying, go out into the world of theater (It's a very small one!) and get to know people. More importantly, get people to know you, and your work ethic. If you try your best and make yourself available, you'll probably find small job opportunities popping up before you know it. Sure, you may not turn around to find yourself the resident designer at a Tony Award Winning Repertory theater, but maybe someone you interned with needs someone to run cable, or perhaps one of your teachers noticed your genuine interest in the job, and wants a hand painting sets.
If everyone here has survived, I'm sure you'll be able to.

[cdub260]

Originally Posted by Serendipity

(1) It seems as though here you're trying to say "aside from my degree, and my 5 years, and my..." as opposed to "aside from my degree, was my 5 years, and my..."
(2) site.

Thanks 'dip. I can always count on you to point out my spelling and grammar errors.

Your first suggestion was a little overcomplicated. Simply moving the was in the sentence worked just fine.

[waynehoskins]

It wasn't until after I got my degree that I figured out the guys who have been doing lighting for the past 30 years still are.

I actually have really good contacts with a local soundco; I've known the guys there for over ten years now. It's just that the time wasn't right when I got my degree. A few months ago they asked if I'd be interested in coming on board regular-like, but I'm too rooted in my programming job and actually like it.

[emoskacrewman]

thanks. i understand all of the contact making stuff, I'm just looking for some examples of positions i could handle as a fresh graduate and the pay.

[cdub260]

Originally Posted by emoskacrewman

thanks. i understand all of the contact making stuff, I'm just looking for some examples of positions i could handle as a fresh graduate and the pay.

I'm thinking that if you don't start learning to use capital letters for the beginnings of sentences and the word I, you'll be looking at the $10.00 an hour end of the spectrum. Literacy counts. Especially if you have a degree! If you take shortcuts in your communications, do you also take shortcuts in your work? This is a question potential employers are going to ask. Develop the habit of using proper sentence structure now and it won't come back to bite you on the backside later.

For more on this subject, check the various posts of derekleffew.