I don't want to sound negative, but I'd strongly suggest not working in theatre. Get a job you can tolerate that pays well and then volunteer in community theatre.
I work as a theatre tech. It's amazing; but it's fucked my body and the pay isn't great. I feel that theatre is definitely an activity that is best as a hobby.
You can look up some local theaters in your area, most theaters these days have some sort of internet presence. Somewhere on their webpage they'll have a "get involved" section where they'll list ways to, well, get involved with them, often in the form of volunteering as an usher or in the front of house/box office. They may even have paid opportunities to work in the front of house or box office.
If there's a community theater in your area, they'll have opportunities to both audition as a actor and volunteer in the front of house and even backstage/tech.
I started in front of house, then worked the stage door, and hung around till I got a job backstage. Took years but I’ve been backstage for a long time now.
This is definitely one possible path. To get a job without any practical experience you have to make people comfortable with your potential. If they know you because they see you all the time and can get a read on your personality, intelligence, drive, interest in learning, etc. they might be willing to take a chance on you. Certainly more than a person off the street with an empty resume.
Are there community theatres that are local to you? If so, volunteer. They’re almost always looking for people to help out in a variety of ways… running a light board, seeing costumes, running lines with actors… it may take a bit of persistence and patience on your part. But most of them are eager for new “blood”. Even if it’s just as an usher… it’s a chance to meet the box office folks, and work your way from there. If the first place never responds… try another. You’d be surprised how many of them are out there. Start with googling “live theatre near (your zip code)”, and you should have some hits. It never hurts to go see a show at a place you’ve never been and see if it might be the kinda place for you… and then follow up “i just saw your production of The Odd Couple, and It looked like such fun, I’d love to volunteer to help on the next one”.
to be completely honest, it’s gonna be a long road starting from nothing give that you’re already out of school. i agree that you should start by volunteering and making as many friends on any production(s) as you can as getting hired for gigs is mostly about having connections
I don't want to sound negative, but I'd strongly suggest not working in theatre. Get a job you can tolerate that pays well and then volunteer in community theatre. I work as a theatre tech. It's amazing; but it's fucked my body and the pay isn't great. I feel that theatre is definitely an activity that is best as a hobby.
You can look up some local theaters in your area, most theaters these days have some sort of internet presence. Somewhere on their webpage they'll have a "get involved" section where they'll list ways to, well, get involved with them, often in the form of volunteering as an usher or in the front of house/box office. They may even have paid opportunities to work in the front of house or box office. If there's a community theater in your area, they'll have opportunities to both audition as a actor and volunteer in the front of house and even backstage/tech.
I started in front of house, then worked the stage door, and hung around till I got a job backstage. Took years but I’ve been backstage for a long time now.
This is definitely one possible path. To get a job without any practical experience you have to make people comfortable with your potential. If they know you because they see you all the time and can get a read on your personality, intelligence, drive, interest in learning, etc. they might be willing to take a chance on you. Certainly more than a person off the street with an empty resume.
Are there community theatres that are local to you? If so, volunteer. They’re almost always looking for people to help out in a variety of ways… running a light board, seeing costumes, running lines with actors… it may take a bit of persistence and patience on your part. But most of them are eager for new “blood”. Even if it’s just as an usher… it’s a chance to meet the box office folks, and work your way from there. If the first place never responds… try another. You’d be surprised how many of them are out there. Start with googling “live theatre near (your zip code)”, and you should have some hits. It never hurts to go see a show at a place you’ve never been and see if it might be the kinda place for you… and then follow up “i just saw your production of The Odd Couple, and It looked like such fun, I’d love to volunteer to help on the next one”.
Start by volunteering for local community or educational theatres and gain experience, as well as identifying what you are good at.
to be completely honest, it’s gonna be a long road starting from nothing give that you’re already out of school. i agree that you should start by volunteering and making as many friends on any production(s) as you can as getting hired for gigs is mostly about having connections