Career Advice Phoenix area techs

[DuckJordan]

Hey to all of you in the phoenix area, May be a possibility of me moving there with family and I was wondering what the industry was doing down there. Mainly looking at electrician or house props kind of thing (wouldn't mind branching out). I have some very basic experience as a rigger, and about a years worth of carp under my belt. If anyone can give me a heads up as to where to look as far as theaters. Planning on making a visit before moving down there Possibly late June is when I'm expecting to move.

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[ruinexplorer]

Hey Duck, I saw that ASU Gammage Auditorium is adding to their overhire staff right now (usually very brief). I worked there for 15 years or so. That is where the major Broadway shows come through as well as a wide variety of other productions due to being associated with the university. There are a few resident theater companies, but the largest of the Arizona companies actually builds their shows in Tucson, then brings them to Phoenix. If you don't mind branching out into conventions or the rental houses, there are considerably more jobs there than there is in traditional theater.

 

[DuckJordan]

I'm completely fine with being a shop monkey. I've worked both those and don't mind the work. I'd apply to Gammage but its still tentative at this point. Any idea if the union in phoenix is willing to bring in an overhire (Their website says they don't offer membership unless you've been a resident of AZ for at least 18 months.

 

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Remember AZ is a right to work state, so Rhino is in play: Rhino Staging | Rhino Staging | The best professional technical staffing solutions for the event industry.

 

[ruinexplorer]

Yeah, Rhino... Phoenix is their home base. It is what it is.

I was a member of the Phoenix local and they do use overhire. You will probably get most of the work calls to be pipe and drape to begin with. Only during the really busy season would you possibly get on a load-in/out for a theater production until you get a card (granted, this was a few years back, so take this with a grain of salt). You can also apply at several of the theaters/theater complexes which also maintain their own overhire lists. The Herberger Theater Center (I used to be a TD there) will have very few calls for overhire, but they have resident theater companies such as Actors' Theater of Phoenix, Arizona Theater Company, and a few more that will maintain their own tech lists. There are city venues in the surrounding communities like Mesa, Tempe, and Scottsdale that will have some non-union crew. There are a few dinner theaters and the casinos on the reservations. Lots of opportunity, but the pay isn't great at all the venues.

 

[cmckeeman]

As a proud Denver Rhino, if you want to do theater we might not be the best bet, I'm not too sure exactly what venues and types of venues they have down there but theater isn't exactly what we do. But apply and see if they fit what you want to do, just don't expect to be an ME or rigger right off the bat.

 

[Pie4Weebl]

I believe Clearwing is down there as well.

 

[ruinexplorer]

Last I knew, Rhino did have the house contract at the Dodge Theater (mixed event venue). Most of your work through Rhino in Phoenix will be concerts or conventions, but some theater is possible.

 

[MikeJ]

Plus, there is some good mountain-biking in Mesa!