The Producer's Perspective: I get a lot of emails from folks telling me that it’s their dream to work on Broadway. Some want to be General Managers. Some want to be Casting Directors. Some don’t have a clue as to what they want to do, but they know they want . . . well . . . to be a part of it, New York, New York.
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I find that helpful hints like this are always great to dish out. Many people wouldn't really know where to start getting a job on broadway and knowing a few tips is always helpful. Even now I find some of these tips to be helpful. Most of us are in the process of looking to summer jobs and internships and being able to interpret some of these tips for wherever we are applying can really help us stand out amongst the crowd. Having that little extra help is always worth taking a look at it if it does open the door for new opportunities, experience, and a salary of some sort.
“Ask not what your company can do for you, ask what you can do for your company.”
Yes, you want to be on Broadway. Big signs lighting up your name, celebrities, the Tony's, fame, fortune (...maybe not exactly). Maybe you'll do anything to get the career that you've dreamed of for so long, but I think that it is crucial to understand the expectations of the position you are taking.
"What are the hours" isn't exactly the most kosher question, but understanding the company you are becoming a part of is. Do the research on the company on your own time. Be informed regarding the financial situations and find former employees if you can. Know more than the work they are producing.
I have to admit that somewhere inside me there's a little voice saying that's where I want to be one day. Of course I've thought about the chances of landing that kind of job and how slim they probably are. But I have to say, it never hurts to read tips like these. Attending events was one idea I had never thought of before and I will be sure to make use of it in the future. The tip that especially stood out to me was the one stating not to expect to start in the middle after earning your prestigious degree. I think that's a great one to keep in mind, coming from CMU. I think if someone is truly excited about being on Broadway, they'll be happy to sweep up at the end of the night.
I feel like there are so many articles about "getting a job on broadway" Not that this doesn't have good tips, its just that these tips are the same as I've heard before. Well except for the attending events tip. I hadn't thought about shmoozing with the directors at events, but is a good idea. Meet them when you can I guess. also, I feel like it helps to get into a good school which is something they didn't even mention in this article. Isn't the idea that a good school can get you the connections that you need (a leg up on the competition so to speak.)
I also find this information very useful because he really pointed out the most important aspects when looking for a job in theatre. Especially for the last point, "ask not what your company can do for you, ask what you can do for your company," our professors and other people constantly emphasized on this comment. Also, I was very impressed by the comment on how employees at theatre should be willing to work until their job is done no matter what the time would be. I think I should keep in mind for this point because I sometimes keep looking at the clocks, thinking when my production call will be done. I realized that I would not be a good employee if I don't change the way I think. I think since Broadway is such a huge and famed industry that everyone desires to work at, I should be more passionate and hardworking in order to "get the door open," so I can get a job in this area that I would be most passionate about.
I don't agree with Jenni's point that getting into a good school is something that will ultimately help you land a Broadway job. Of course, going to a good school is huge, and the name recognition definitely helps, but in my opinion, a school, or a connection you have from school might get you the interview. After that, they're going to judge you based on you and what you personally can bring to the job. This is where some of his tips are most useful, like being able to say you've seen shows produced by the company, and having questions that show you're knowledgable and interested.
A huge point in this article is that you have to invest in yourself. You might have to pay to see that show that's kind of expensive, but it may help you land that job that means you can afford to buy more tickets like it.
Just an idea that popped into my head at the start of the article, when he mentioned that some people approach him not even knowing what they want to do, just knowing they want to work on Broadway is that that attitude is dangerous in NY especially. I think it's incredibly important, if you're moving to NY, to know what you want to do. That doesn't mean that you're going to get that awesome perfect job right off the bat, but it's so easy in a city like NY to fall into something because it's there and it's offered and then to find yourself still there months or years later when what you really want to do is still a distant dream. I think you have to be motivated to pursue something and know what it is you're pursuing before jumping in, because it's so easy to get lost in the huge pond and stick with something just because it's there.
These tips offer an extremely helpful insight to getting into the Broadway business. Attending events is definitely one I hadn't thought of, but is then again a really smart way to indirectly-directly put yourself face-to-face with the people you'd like to end up working for. Not quite so in-your-face as calling up the producer of a show as an anon, but rather, an easy environment where you can physically meet the people from the company you want to work for in a non-confrontational and cheery environment.
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