<p>Can any of you describe to me your or your children's experiences after graduating from college with a MT major. Like how they found work, life in NY, survival jobs, agents, etc?</p>
<p>Wow -- that's a big topic! I'll keep it brief, though. The following are some of my experiences; keep in mind, though, that they are out of date, as I haven't lived in NYC for a while.</p>
<p>Survival jobs: I had office skills, so I registered with a temp agency. This was very convenient for arranging my schedule around auditions. There were even quite a few evening jobs, so I was able to keep my days entirely free while still working almost a 40-hour week. Many of the temp jobs offered me a permanent job; I eventually found one that allowed me to set my own hours.</p>
<p>Life in NY: It's a necessity to have at least one roommate; rents and other expenses are very high. It's most convenient, but also most expensive, to live in Manhattan. Many young actors live in the outer boroughs (Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island) or across the river in NJ to save money. However, then you will have additional commuting expenses. Whatever you do, get an apartment with good kitchen facilities so you don't have to eat out all the time.</p>
<p>Agents: it's tough to get one if you're new to the city and haven't done any work locally. You can make the rounds with your P/R and hope someone takes an interest. It's also a good idea to sign up for classes once you are in the city. Many acting studios have agency connections; just make sure the studio is a professional, legit situation. The weekly publication Backstage is a good resource; also, if you're lucky enough to be an Equity member, or even an EMC, the people in the Equity office can offer some advice.</p>
<p>Finding work: Audition, audition, audition! Pick up Backstage every week, or get an online subscription, and go to every single audition you can, even if you're not sure you'll be right for the show. If they like you, casting directors will often keep your P/R on file; they may call you much later for a totally different project. You will also make helpful connections with other actors. Be friendly and talk to everyone -- you never know who can help you out!</p>
<p>In short, the key to doing well in NYC is to be proactive. Start networking by taking classes and going to auditions. The more people you know, the more likely you are to find a job. Don't be shy -- talk to people and get yourself out there. Here's a perfect example: a student of mine is currently living in NYC. He's rather shy and initially was pretty bored and lonesome, spending a lot of time watching movies in his apartment. He finally met some people who invited him out to a karaoke bar, where he got up and stopped the show with a rendition of "Respect". It turned out there were some executives from a major TV network in attendance that night. He has gotten several calls from them to be on various TV shows; the karaoke bar also offered him a full-time job! </p>
<p>I promised to be brief so I'll stop now!. Hope this has been helpful.</p>
<p>I am not a parent but here is a link to interviews with two new grads from NCArts and Syracuse who have interesting things to say about some of that. BizBuzz</a> » Blog Archive » The post-college rush: building a career from the ground up</p>