When Opportunity Knocks on a Hard-Working Door
I want to share a personal story about persistence and a sprinkle of luck. Just like many of you, I had a long work day yesterday, nearly 18 hours. Afterwards, I found myself reflecting on a close friend who recently failed to land a desired gig on a show I’m currently working on. It seemed pretty unfair, especially because we’re both equally skilled in what we do.
Regardless, it reminded me of the basic formula for attaining work success, not just as a stage manager, but in any field. Simply put, the key to success is hard work, and plenty of it, coupled with a bit of good luck.
My journey towards success began in college, when I volunteered for everything theatre-related. It involved numerous hours of work in the theatre department, both on and off-stage. Balancing school and work became a rhythm for me, never letting last-minute school work interfere with my commitments.
In my own time, I soaked up all the knowledge I could find on stage management from books. From the main titles to personality books, every literature piece I came across expanded my understanding of stage management. Surprisingly, studying personality traits and people’s behaviors became the second most useful thing I’ve ever done for my career. It taught me how to handle all the different personalities you deal with in the theater world, and it’s been invaluable in my role as a stage manager.
One day, I got lucky. Because of my ongoing dedication to the theatre department, I got the opportunity to manage a spring show when no one else was available. That was my big break. From then until graduation, I managed all but one show. The combination of my hard work and this fraction of good luck set me up for success.
As my college experience continued, I built a network of contacts with our visiting directors and other faculty members. Simultaneously, I also grabbed every opportunity to work on different aspects of the theater. And luck smiled at me again. I landed a paid job in the theater when a spot opened for student scene shop workers.
After college, working in different arenas provided me with valuable experience and skills to add to my growing theater resume. From working in local touring theater groups to a cruise ship, each experience brought along new learning opportunities that expanded my skill set.
The bottom line? You have to hustle, especially in the beginning. Keep pushing, keep learning, and keep proving your worth. Hold on for that smidgen of luck that may catapult you to success because luck favors the prepared. Most importantly, be ready when it hits so you can seize the opportunity and make the most of it.
Remember, hard work and persistence pay off eventually, and when your break does come, be prepared to seize it!