Title: My Journey from Theater Novice to Stage Manager
During my college years, I juggled three different jobs. One of these was writing for the school newspaper, but admittedly, the pay was pretty small: $5 for a photo and $10 for an article, if they got published. To supplement my income, I worked two other jobs related to theater: at the school’s set-building workshop (the scene shop), and as a stagehand at the campus performing arts center.
For those unfamiliar with theater jargon, a scene shop is where all the sets get built. My university had three openings for students in this role, and thankfully, I secured one. It was a part-time job limited to 20 hours per week, but we definitely spent more than that creating magic out of sketches and plans from set and lighting designers.
This role taught me a lot about set construction, scenic painting, and lighting design. I also discovered the importance of maintaining accurate and updated inventories for supplies, props, and costumes while managing requests for materials. But the lessons didn’t end there. I learned how to train others, share amusing work stories during job interviews, and importantly, how to convert mishaps into learning lessons.
Interestingly, I got this job because I had a knack for lighting design. However, once I started working, I was expected to learn all the other skills as well – like carpentry, which I despised, but being able to do it actually saved me from unemployment many times.
As I headed into my final year of college, a new job opportunity as a stagehand at the school performing arts center came up. This job was a boon. It didn’t have a weekly hour cap, and if you worked overtime, you made extra. Plus, the center had a professional-to-student ratio in our favor – 75% professionals and 25% students. This mix allowed me to learn from veterans in the field who later recommended me for other roles, giving my career that essential jumpstart.
Being a stage manager and production manager was my ultimate aim, but I ended up landing my first big gig as a stage manager on a cruise ship, where I also had to perform the duties of a technical director. But my experience in college had prepared me for this – the job profile at the scene shop and performing arts center had added some impressive technical skills to my resume. This cruise ship job ended up being a fantastic opportunity that set the stage for my entire career trajectory.
Looking back, if I hadn’t taken those part-time roles in college, I’m not sure if I would have had the career opportunities that I did. Even though carving foam mountains and painting giant sets was grueling, I am undoubtedly grateful for the knowledge I accumulated during those intense college years.