Jobs on Broadway

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Jobs on Broadway

Posted: 8/26/08 at 8:25pm

Hi folks,

This might be a little bit of an OT. I apologize if it is.

I'm moving to the city in less than a week. I just recently graduated from college and have a B.A, am smart, have a great work history, and great references.

My question is, what are some jobs I could apply to that are theatre related in the city? Not just Broadway of course, but is there any website, any way of finding jobs related to working in the theatre world?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

re: Jobs on Broadway

Posted: 8/26/08 at 8:27pm

It may not be the best idea to move to the city without a job in place already.

"He found something that he wanted, had always wanted and always would want— not to be admired, as he had feared; not to be loved, as he had made himself believe; but to be necessary to people, to be indispensable." -F. Scott Fitzgerald's This Side of Paradise

re: Jobs on Broadway

Posted: 8/26/08 at 8:28pm

Playbill.com has a job board listing.

"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611

re: Jobs on Broadway

Posted: 8/27/08 at 2:07am

It depends on what kind of job you're looking for. If interested in General Management or Company management, there are contact info for general managers in The Theatrical Index. Pick it up at the Drama Book Store (40th btw 8th and Broadway). If Stage managing is your thing, pick up Backstage. If theatrical advertising, there are bascially only two big companies: Spotco and Serino Coyne (and Eliran Murphy to a lesser extent). If you're interested in press and publicity, you can check out ibdb.com to see which press agent was attached to a show. You can easily google their contact info.

re: Jobs on Broadway

Posted: 8/27/08 at 1:44pm

Just out of curiosity I looked at the playbill listings. Now I'm even more curious. How does one manage living in NYC with a $150. /wk "stipend" or a $10. /hr job? Or even a $2.000 /month temporary job?

I guess I can answer that myself, you need a cash reserve, but can anyone share any insight on getting by in NYC starting out like that? (I'm not planning this myself, but I am curious.)

re: Jobs on Broadway

Posted: 8/27/08 at 1:45pm

You get two jobs and live in Astoria with four roommates :)

re: Jobs on Broadway

Posted: 8/27/08 at 2:10pm

Or you belong to the bank of "Mommy and Daddy."

re: Jobs on Broadway

Posted: 8/27/08 at 2:15pm

I've gotta agree with wicked_beast.

One of my roommates has a communications major and great references and experience and is currently doing an unpaid internship to ADD experience to her resume.

Schooling and references aren't everything anymore, unfortunately.

Experience live theater. Experience paintings. Experience books. Live, look and listen like artists! ~ imaginethis
LIVE THAT LESSON!!!!!!

re: Jobs on Broadway

Posted: 8/27/08 at 2:37pm

God point jordangirl . That is why out on the west coast, in the film world, some of the better schools set you up with an internship during your final year. If it goes well, this can slide into a job upon graduation. I can think of a number of screenwriters, animators, film crew, who did it this way.

#10

re: Jobs on Broadway

Posted: 8/27/08 at 2:40pm

Everyone I know who has moved to the city has moved without a job and has found a job waiting tables or at a gym within two weeks after moving.

My roommate used to pay $1000 a month and worked at RadioShak. Someone else I knew worked at Borders in Columbus Circle and paid $1000 a month. It's not as hard as people make it out to be.

I'm moving to the city on Tuesday and I don't have a job set up. Just a place to live, first month's rent paid, and money saved. I'm not worried at all...plus I only pay $650 for a huge two bedroom with one roommate.

Best of luck!

"Somethin's comin', I don't know what it is but it is gonna be great!"

#11

re: Jobs on Broadway

Posted: 8/27/08 at 2:48pm

True mywonderwall. If you're open to doing ANYTHING you're a lot more likely to find something. If you refuse to wait tables or temp or the like, you're going to have a much harder time.

Experience live theater. Experience paintings. Experience books. Live, look and listen like artists! ~ imaginethis
LIVE THAT LESSON!!!!!!

#12

re: Jobs on Broadway

Posted: 8/27/08 at 2:55pm

Exactly; if you're willing to get a job just for the sake of having income -- something to do while you figure out what you're actually going to do, so to speak -- it's a lot easier and it will happen a lot faster than if you're only going to set your sights on career-oriented gigs.

I just graduated a few months ago. I have a B.A. from a really good school, a solid resume, lots of experience, good references and great connections, but I've had no luck finding a full-time job in the field yet. I just accepted a part-time internship that I'm very excited about and will help build my resume, and then I have a part-time job that has nothing to do with my long-term goals, but it'll pay my living expenses. I wasn't expecting to have to continue interning once I graduated, but you've got to be open to being flexible and thinking outside the box a little bit.

A work of art is an invitation to love.

Updated On: 8/27/08 at 02:55 PM

#13

re: Jobs on Broadway

Posted: 8/27/08 at 3:39pm

Very true! I'm moving to pursue musical theatre...so, I've accepted the fact that I'll be waiting tables for a while. But I've done it for five years and actually enjoy it. But yes...waiting tables is just what I want to do in between theatre jobs.

People always think that living in New York City is close to impossible when it comes to finances...but it really isn't. You just have to be smart about it. Living in the city will really give someone a new discipline when it comes to living.

"Somethin's comin', I don't know what it is but it is gonna be great!"

#14

re: Jobs on Broadway

Posted: 8/27/08 at 5:15pm

i think it is better to find a finance job with 60k-80k then you can watch as manny shows as you want...with best seat

#15

re: Jobs on Broadway

Posted: 8/27/08 at 5:57pm

thanks for all the great responses,

I actually have my rent paid for months and enough money to live for a a few weeks. I am totally not opposed to waiting tables, I did so all through college. My only concern is that I have evening classes and need to be out of work by 530. In the restaurant business, I know there are no guarenteed out times.

My other concern is that New York minimum wage is less than $6.00 an hour, correct? I do have bills to pay etc, so I don't think I could live off of that.

I know this sounds funny but I would seriously love a cublicle job, 9-5, 5 days a week. Very Office Space.

and my wonderwa11...good luck to you as well!

#16

re: Jobs on Broadway

Posted: 8/27/08 at 6:06pm

It's currently $7.15, I believe, but you'll likely be able to do better than that. Would you consider retail for a while, just for the sake of paying your bills? I know a lot of people (myself included) really hate working retail, but it's an option. I don't know too much about cubicle jobs, but the default suggestion there is to go through a temp agency.

A work of art is an invitation to love.

Updated On: 8/27/08 at 06:06 PM

#17

re: Jobs on Broadway

Posted: 8/27/08 at 6:15pm

i think it is better to find a finance job with 60k-80k then you can watch as manny shows as you want...with best seat

Even those aren't safe. My godbrother is living proof of that.

Experience live theater. Experience paintings. Experience books. Live, look and listen like artists! ~ imaginethis
LIVE THAT LESSON!!!!!!

#18

re: Jobs on Broadway

Posted: 8/27/08 at 7:28pm

??, there aren't many 9-5 jobs anymore. Most "cubicle jobs" nowadays are 8-5 or 9-6.

Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson

#19

re: Jobs on Broadway

Posted: 8/27/08 at 7:57pm

out of curiousity, JUST where IS this HUGE, 2 bedroom apt? for 1300.00?
What's the catch? Really bad neighborhood?, rats?, mice?, (you have to sleep w/the super?), no hot water?, no heat in the winter? Please explain to this old, jaded NYer. lol.
i WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK, HOWEVER! I love youthful enthusiasm.

#20

re: Jobs on Broadway

Posted: 8/27/08 at 9:06pm

I'd also recommend going through a temp agency, because 9-5 office jobs allow you to get out and get to class on time.

The morning star always gets wonderful bright the minute before it has to go --doesn't it?

#21

re: Jobs on Broadway

Posted: 8/27/08 at 9:19pm

Check nyfa.org. They have an extensive listing for jobs in the arts. It has a lot of museum/gallery work, but there's a decent amount of theater work. That's where I found my current job. Going through a temp agency, especially if you have some office experience is an efficient way to get yourself some income quickly until you find the type of job you really want.

#22

re: Jobs on Broadway

Posted: 8/27/08 at 9:53pm

i moved here 4/1, started an internship in mid april making $150 a week, and moved up to full time position.....so, get an internship and sell merchandise @ the theatres at night. if u wanna be here, make it work.

Updated On: 8/27/08 at 09:53 PM

#23

re: Jobs on Broadway

Posted: 8/28/08 at 11:26am

if you want a day job, go thru a temp agency. but like someone else said, 9-5 is pretty much a thing of the past ... it is 9-6 or 8-5 with an hour break for lunch. employers now expect you to work a full 40 hour week. but as a temp, you might have more flexibility. as a temp, you should resign yourself to the fact that its going to be receptionist, file clerk, admin ass't type work. if you're good a powerpoint, excel, quickbooks, word, can type fast and accurately, and make a good appearance, you'll get temp work. good luck!

#24

re: Jobs on Broadway

Posted: 8/28/08 at 1:19pm

"It's currently $7.15, I believe, but you'll likely be able to do better than that."

You'd make more money working 6 shows a week (about 18 hours of work) as an usher at a Broadway house than you would working 40 hours a week making minimum wage.

#25

re: Jobs on Broadway

Posted: 8/28/08 at 1:59pm

thetinymagic2...the apartment is in Inwood. Yes, it's a little far north, but I don't care. It's actually bigger then my current apartment here in Dallas, Texas. Two bedroom, one bath, wood floors, I love it! My friend/roommate has lived there for a year already and found it through a broker. Lucky for me his roommate moved out and I'm moving in!

Also, if you don't mind waiting tables (which would probably be the best money) you could always use Craigslist and turn in your professional resume in person.

"Somethin's comin', I don't know what it is but it is gonna be great!"

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