Cruise Ship Jobs for Broadway Performers

[krispy kreme]

Posted: 12/20/15 at 1:30pm

I haven't performed in a million years, but it used to be that cruise ship jobs were low-man-on-the-totem-pole jobs...other than a paycheck and great way to get out of town to travel.

I'm wondering if the quality of shows has improved and if it's considered more prestigious in the industry. Just curious your thoughts are...

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 12/20/15 at 6:32pm

Yes and no. They are starting to get bigger and more respected names to develop their shows (especially Disney), and more ships are starting to add in actual book musicals as opposed to the old revue style shows (though those still exist, too). Ultimately, though, it's still seen as more of a stepping stone and training ground for younger actors to learn what it's like to do an extended run as opposed to the 1-3 weeks you normally get in college programs and summer stock. So it's not really looked down on, for the most part, but you aren't really going to see those with well-established careers running off to do a long stint on a cruise ship.

[gooftroop]

Posted: 12/21/15 at 7:08am

Very interesting question.  Let me start by saying I have made most of my professional career by performing on Broadway and I still do so now.   I also worked on Cruise Ships as well.   IN the end, it all depend son what you want you career to be and how you want it to look.  I liked cruise ship work because I got a chance to see some really cool places, I worked on my performance skill and i made a ton of money with no expenses.   These were important to me because the option of being a starving artist with 2 day jobs to make ends meet made no sense to me.

By the time i came to NYC i knew how to command a stage more so than ever before, i could go into an audition room, immediately feel the vibe of the room and deliver a stellar audition and book the show.  I do owe a ton of those skills to my cruise ship work.  I also met a ton of people (other performers) that came on he cruise to work as well.  Those connections helped as well.

 

My philosophy is this:   every job has to fulfill three categories in my life before i take it.   1. it must do something for my pocket book   2.  i must have something to learn from the process  3.  i must have some personal connection to the idea, the show, or the experience

 

if i can answer 2 of these statements very well then i will do the gig.  It has worked for me so far and wores for MOST of my students as well...  in the end the decision is yours, the journey is yours

 

Hope that helps.http://ibdb.com/Person/View/502551