Career change into tech theatre?

Kopernicus

New Member
Hi all,

I'm currently a high school engineering teacher, who also serves as the school's TD, Drama Production Director & Producer. I've been involved with school & community theatre for about 15 years (over 30 productions) and I'm considering a career change. I would like to work in theatre full time (in what aspect, I'm not sure). I really enjoy designing and building sets, running the shows, and lighting. I was just wondering if anyone has done the same kind of change or if current professionals could provide some guidance?

Thanks in advance!
 
I was a HS band director for 7 years before switching. I now manage a HS PAC that operates like a baby roadhouse. A lot of that was pure luck and being in the right place when the job opened up, but I had experience with audio from doing freelance work most of my life, lighting from often being the only one willing to mess with it at any given school I worked at, and construction from my parents and grandfather and their teaching me the craft of carpentry from a very early age.

It was an easy transition since I stayed within the same district, but a lot of it was circumstantial.
 
Well what level of Theatre are you looking to transfer to and who do you know.

Those are the questions you ask yourself.

If you feel like you could jump in to anything then shoot for the moon and see what sticks.

Theatre is definitely a pleasure job vs pay job until you get one of the good positions. Which sometimes takes a while to get one.
 
High schools have engineering teachers now? Cool.

What do you actually want to do? Work for a rep theater? Tour? Teach? Work for a road house? Are you married? Kids? Family?

I'd stay right where you are. You have good benefits. You have summers off. You might even have decent pay. I taught HS for awhile... it sucked for me... but if you like it enough to stay for 15 years I'd stay put and get those next 15 and get your pension.

It takes forever to get a "real" job in this business. Finding a job with beneifits and good pay is pretty much impossible. If you want to tour it gets easier... but getting your foot in the door there can be really hard and you have to take a lot of junk tours before you get a good one... and benefits are spotty to nil. Otherwise, you'll be working gig to gig, day to day... and thats only if you move to a city large enough to support you. Added to that... if you ever want to have a family/kids/whatever this industry and family life don't exactly fit together well. Daycares aren't open 9am-2am.

If you can find a shop or house gig that pays real money near you go for it. See whats out there. But... to really do it right you will have to pull up roots and move to a larger city and start grinding. Hop on offstagejobs.com and see what actual rates look like. Maybe consider getting your MFA if you really want to torture yourself. Just don't do it.
 
I'll add to Footer as well, with the amount of OT I get from public bookings I make about as much as I did teaching. Which is livable, but not great. Teaching pay has stagnated in Florida for over a decade. We get "bonuses" that are offset by them screwing with our benefits package. If I wanted to make more dough I've thought about IT work but I don't think I'd love that. The hours in a PAC get old but I love working with the kids I've got and I don't know of many IT gigs that offer pensions. Anyway, I can always get one when I "retire" at 55. That is if my Plan A of working as a boat captain for the Disney transport system falls apart.
 
Hi Kopernicus,

I know is says you're of the male persuasion, but I found my last job through Facebook. . . https://www.facebook.com/groups/605933819524091/ There's also a group for folks of color and queer folks. I might suggest you join all three and see what's out there. Also https://www.usitt.org/careers/ and http://offstagejobs.com/

Do you have good photos of your work? Putting together a portfolio (online or print) might be a good idea.

Does your local college or university have courses in technical theatre that you could enroll in? While I bet you have a bunch of good hands-on experience, having a class might give you a leg up.

Break-a-leg!

Debra
 
Don't rule out switching to tech while staying a school employee. HS auditoriums are popping up all over this area and with them are PAC managers. It sounds like you'd be qualified for that change, and you might stay in the same retirement system. I personally love that I'm able to still work with students without the pressure of having a regular teaching position.
 
Thanks everyone for the input. I think I may try to just find a new school that has a stronger support of their theatre program. That way I can continue to teach and be involved in tech still. Maybe take a class to increase my own knowledge. :)
 

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