@halflokum - has, and always will be my guru ^:)^
@halflokum , thanks for that fantastic post.
I hope you and others who have been here awhile stick around and keep contributing; you’re all so valuable!
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This is all so great! I can’t believe how fast college is going…thanks all for your advice!!!
@halflokum, fabulous, fabulous advice! Thanks for taking the time to do this.
The only thing I’d add is that if your college is connected to a city with a strong regional theatre presence, I think it would be a good idea to start out there. It’s easier to build your resume in a smaller pool where you already have ties. Then you can go on to NYC later if you want. It’s not a hard and fast rule, of course, but to use the example of NU–most successful NU grads have started out in Chicago, even those with NYC representation.
@connections I could not agree more with that point. I spoke about NYC only because it happened to be the city that my daughter’s school was associated with and therefore, it’s what she knew, it’s where her contacts and friends are. Believe me, if she went to college in another strong theatre city like Chicago, DC, Philadelphia etc. I would absolutely think that starting there would be an excellent strategy. As could be moving to one of those regional theatre markets and starting out there even if that’s not where you went to college.
I graduated 2 and a half (wow) years ago with a BFA in Musical Theatre from Coastal Carolina University. This is long… eep. I had to split it up in to three parts. Beware:
- Besides NYC, what towns are good places to live for aspiring MTs?
To be honest: I have only lived in New York City since graduating. However, many of my friends are currently making the move to LA and LOVE IT. But I will also say that many of them are more interested in pursuing film/tv at the moment. I recently went to DC where I booked a gig and found it to be a really amazing city. I’m looking forward to rehearsing there soon and can report back on the scene, but I’ve heard it’s a really close but thriving community. There’s also great work in Houston/Dallas/Austin so I could see someone making the rounds in Texas, and obviously - Chicago has its perks, but there are many posts on here about its pluses and minuses.
- What sorts of "survival" jobs did you find? How much time/what sort of schedule did these jobs require?
I’ve been through a lot of these. So here’s what I’ve got IMO…
Babysitting: I am signed with an AMAZING new babysitting agency called Broadway Babysitters. They specialize in providing sitters in the theatre community to parents in the theatre community. Babysitting is a great job because it’s usually a solid hourly pay and can he really flexible. Through the agency, I set my own schedule weekly and am booked appropriately. However, the amount of work obviously varies. People with more open schedules work more than others. Nannying is a whole other beast that I have not done in NYC. But from what I’ve heard, the money is great and it’s a very fulfilling job, however- there’s a lot of pressure and commitment. You obviously get connected to the family and children and it often requires a lot of daytime work which can conflict with auditions. In addition, there is some guilt if you book and have to leave the family.
Personal Assisting: Amazing! I’ve been with a Broadway producer in and off for two and a half years and she is the best and most understanding about gigs. Pay us great. Some people may be more crazy/less flexible though. A lot of my work is dependent on when she needs- I don’t have a set amount a week.
Waiting/Hosting/Bartending: I haven’t done these, but if you enjoy it and you’re good at it- the jobs are plenty and the money can be really good. There definitely is a restaurant mentality though and I know a lot of people who have gotten sucked into the late nights/lifestyle/good money and they audition less.
Box Office/Ushering/Theatre merch and bartending: I work at an off Broadway show and it has always been a great experience. The hourly pay is usually pretty good, they tend to hire actors so they know the territory that comes with it. People can cover you, and you feel creative as you’re in a theatrical environment. These are my favorite kind of jobs but it did make it hard to see my friends at night sometimes. 
Retail: More power to you.
Fitness/Teaching: This is what a LOT of actors do. Teaching dance or fitness is flexible and great money if you can do it! And you stay fit, so bonus. I want to get certified in yoga eventually 
- Did you continue to train/take classes? How often? How important is it to continue to take lessons?
Okay. It’s very important. But it’s hard to find the time and money when you are trying to survive. Work means money, and these classes cost money.
I haven’t taken a voice or acting lesson since I graduated. Eep. But I have done coachings on specific songs for auditions and I’ve taken dance classes at various places at it’s my weakest link. I also recently did a month long casting director class with The Growing Studio that was beyond helpful in getting opinions in my audition material/technique and allowed me to meet 8 high profile CDs.
Even at the best universities in the country, I think the audition technique classes are always going to be a step behind because the industry is constantly changing (see: new online EPA/ECC sign ups, etc). An audition technique class with people here in the city that are currently casting or ITR is very important when first transitioning. I wish I’d done it earlier.
Part 2:
- How many auditions do you typically go to?
I’m bad. I’m a very specific type so even at the height of audition season (Jan-April) I probably go to 1 open call a week. Summer stock seasons usually aren’t great for me. I focus on self submissions (I don’t have an agent) and get a solid amount of appointments, so I tend to go to those more than hitting the ground.
However: chorus boys and girls, triple threats, ingenues… get ready. You can hit 4 or 5 auditions a week (sometimes more than one a day) in the winter. If you count equity calls, you may not always be seen, but even for the non union stuff there’s a lot going on.
I auditioned much more in the beginning than I do now. And I think that was good for me. Even if the show wasn’t perfect for me, I went for experience and to be seen. I think it’s important to do that when you are first getting started because it helps take away the nerves and perfect your skills. Now I’ve narrowed down what’s actually worth going to for me. And knowing what calls I actually had a chance of being seen at and which weren’t worth staking out (in terms of EPAs)… although I’ll be equity next season so it’ll be a whole other ballgame!
- How important is it to have an agent when you first get to the city?
It’s not. At all. It’s a plus, sure, and having someone on your team to get you seen is amazing- if they are a good fit for you. But it really doesn’t matter that much. I still don’t have an agent and am about to go on my 5th gig since graduating (3rd tour, the other 2 were in the city- all I booked myself through self-submitted appointments). This next one is getting my equity card so when I get back, I may try harder to be signed but even then I’m hoping that equity calls will lead to better relationships with CDs- that’s who really gets you in the room.
- If you don't already have an agent, how do you go about getting considered by agents?
The best way is to be referred by someone. People definitely do get signed through those “pay to plays” but almost everyone I know booked through their showcase or were recommended by a current client.
- What sorts of jobs are not good for the resume?
That’s hard to say. The best job…
-pays you a living wage
-makes you connections
And
-is artistically fulfilling
So if you can hit 2/3 of those I think it’s worth having it on your resume. So if you do a non-paying showcase show but it’s a dream role and you’re working with a great director, it could be worth it (if you can afford to do so). Vice versa, you could do a children’s tour that really isn’t your dream show or a terrible cruise ship cabaret- but they pay amazingly and have a great casting team attached. You get where I’m going.
I think it’s important to work as many different places as you can. I see people returning to the same theatres/companies over and over again and it’s great to show that you are liked/want to be hired back by those people, but it doesn’t always open more doors or expand your resume.
Part 3 (woof):
- What do you think of cruise ship jobs?
I haven’t done one. But they PAY. Do your research. See who’s casting it. Some treat you much better than others. Norwegian, RC, Disney- great.
I’m in a long term relationship and have the cat of my dreams, so I’m not interested in doing one at the moment but but damn do those pics my friends post make me jealous.
- What do you think of amusement park jobs?
I haven’t ever done one. To me it seems like more of a summer college job but more power to anyone who wants to do it! Some pay a lot- like Universal Tokyo or Tokyo Disney. See my answer on the 2/3 what looks good on a resume.
- What about traveling shows for youth? (i.e. TheatreWorks USA)
I’ve done 2 of these- going on my 3rd. Two non union with two beans/theatreworks and then the one I’m about to go on with the Kennedy Center to get my card. I think they’re wonderful. They are beyond fulfilling in terms of the response you get and it’s hard work but worth it. Halflokum’s answer is a really special way to think about it.
- Are there good social media or websites for post grads to get help with finding auditions, finding work, finding housing, etc.?
Audition update is horrible but wonderful. Just explore it haha.
Auditions:
Playbill
Actors Access
Backstage (kinda)
Housing:
Gypsy Housing - Facebook
Actors sublet connection - Facebook
Bohemia Realty group
Jobs:
Playbill honestly
Friends!
Feel free to message me with any questions. This is what I do on the subway 
Hope it helps!
@AlexaMT - Thank you for taking the time to respond! As a mother of a high school senior it is great to have some insight into your world. Best of luck!
@AlexaMT - You’re brilliant. Thanks for sharing. My S is a college junior. Soon this will be HIS life.
@AlexaMT - wow! Thanks for taking your time to give such thorough answers. I can’t wait to share all your wisdom with our soon-to-graduate D. Best wishes to you on your upcoming show. Keep us posted on what you do next. So impressed with the career you are making for yourself. And especially appreciative of your willingness to share what you know with others. You are a ray of sunshine on this site. Thank you, thank you.
^:)^
I’m going to add something to the list. Get great headshots!! I know several actors who were not getting great responses from submissions, who then went and got new headshots. Boom. They started getting called in for appointments. Two of them recently booked great jobs from those submissions. You can’t book if you can’t get in the room. You don’t have to pay $500 to $1000 either to get them. PM me if you want a referral.
No worries, all! I’m glad to help how I can.
Thank you AlexaMT! I just “bookmarked” this page
I’ll take a stab… FYI: This is MY take on it all; not my son’s and he does not share his day to day with me.
He is 2015 graduate. It helps that he is a dancer.
- Besides NYC, what towns are good places to live for aspiring MTs? I agree with halflokum the challenge is to be where the auditions are. For instance my son was cast in Mary Poppins at TUTS in Houston. Auditions were held in NYC but they did have local auditions and some of the cast was made up of those who were local. A friend’s daughter has been auditioning in and working continually in Chicago.
- What sorts of “survival” jobs did you find? Right now my son is playing a waiting game. He is cast in a show scheduled to go to Broadway but they are one show in a long list of shows are waiting for a theater. That wait is now longer than anyone anticipated. He continues to audition because he has to. He might have to make a hard decision. In the mean time he has been cobbling together work... choreographing, cabarets, a dance video. He also has a roommate who schedules live promotional-type things... he can pick and choose the ones he is interested in.
- Did you continue to train/take classes? He has a dance card at Broadway Dance and Steps on Broadway. For his birthday he asked for refills on those. Thinking about a vocal coach now that he has been out of school and “out of work” for a while now.
- How many auditions do you typically go to? I don’t hear about them all. It seems to me he is going on 2 - 4 a week with additional time needed for callbacks.
- How important is it to have an agent when you first get to the city? He got his agent from Senior Showcase. He is very happy with them. I don’t think he has gone on any open calls. If there is something he is interested in, he asks his agent to try and get an appt. That is not always possible.
- If you don’t already have an agent, how do you go about getting considered by agents? Again, he got an agent at Senior Showcase.
- What sorts of jobs are not good for the resume? No idea. Again agree with halflokum. No one has every asked where he got his equity card. Perhaps it is clear from his resume.
- What do you think of cruise ship jobs? A friend’s daughter had a nine month contract on a cruise line mostly in Europe. She socked away a TON of money and saw the world. She has a boyfriend and it was very hard to be that far away. Also, she had to do some non-performing duties like dance classes or something.
- What do you think of amusement park jobs?
- What about traveling shows for youth? No clue...
- Are there good social media or websites for post grads to get help with finding auditions, finding work, finding housing, etc.? Nothing additional to add.
I will add that we had a big discussion on whether he should take his equity card freshman year as it would prohibit him from taking non-eq jobs. It was a moot point because he would have had to take it before graduating based on his other employment. It is another decision that has to be made in this crazy business.
If anyone has any specific question please feel free to ask.
Thanks @lojosmo! Very helpful!
Thanks @lojosmo - this will be S’s life in 18 months.