Paying Summer Jobs for college MT's

<p>I did an acting audition at NETC and a MT audition at Strawhats. As Melsmom said, several of the companies in the Acting room at Strawhats were internships that you pay for (Stella Adler, Hangar Theatre, etc.), but sounded like good experiences nonetheless. Though I didn't get a musical audition at NETC, many of the same theatres were at Strawhats. I heard the dance call at NETC was very difficult, and the Strawhats one was difficult the first day, but on the second day they split it up between movers and dancers.</p>

<p>So far I've gotten two offers, one from a theatre that saw me at both Strawhats and NETC, and one from someplace I sent a video too; I'm waiting on a couple of others that seemed very promising. Out of the three friends that I came with, two got offers from NETC - they did not audition at Strawhats - (and one actually got mulitple offers), and one has not heard anything.</p>

<p>All in all, I'd say it's a positive experience to, at least if nothing else, see where you stand among professional competition. I, for one, realized how much work I need to do on my basic dance skills. Definitely recommended for college age performers looking for summer work (though if you need to make more than $300/week or so you're most likely out of luck).</p>

<p>My son had to cancel his Strawhat auditions because the snow in Chicago caused his flight (and many others) to be cancelled. We tried for hours to get him on a later one, but the ones that weren't cancelled were full because of spring break crowds.</p>

<p>As it turns out, he was offered a great part in an AMTP show for the summer, so he's going to stay on campus. He was still disappointed about Strawhat, though. I learned something new this weekend... Telecharge gives refunds! (I'm sure you NY'ers know this!) We're used to Ticketmaster in Chicago, so I was shocked, but thrilled!</p>

<p>Congrats to Melsmom's d, sweetclyde, and edmondsg's son! My d did not get an audition at NETC, but went to Strawhats. Zedgar, we were wondering the same thing, but it doesn't look promising if others were already given offers. D got 7 callbacks, so she went to the dance call (movers only; def. not a dancer!) but didn't have to go back for a "specific" callback. That was it. Looking at all the theater offerings, many shows they are having this summer are dance shows, so that's not her strong point. As I mentioned in previous posts, lots of theaters that go to NETC also attend Strawhat, so that means many jobs are already offered before they attend Strawhat. (check sweetclyde's post) Although my d will not be attending Strawhat anymore (she'll be a senior next year) I suggest to all posters that if you want summer stock, try like #$!! to get into NETC as WELL as Strawhat!
Melsmom, I hear ya about the dance call. I think I emailed you or mentioned in a post that NETC's callbacks were very unclear; my d didn't go to the dance call since it wasn't clearly stated on her callback lists (she met with the indiv. theaters, but didn't know she was supposed to go to the dance callback as well!)</p>

<p>I know you said something about it rossji, but d wasn't sure as she was there for acting "only" she thought. Very confusing. I hope your d hears something soon. I wish mine had gone in to dance anyway, even if not getting positive feedback for her monos, especially if it was difficult as she would have loved that. Oh well, she also said that if she does it next year, she will ask for an earlier appt as well because she was in the last group of the day to audition which she didn't think was in her favor.
D seemed to think that there were many more theatres casting for musicals than for straight acting this summer. It makes sense that you would want to be seen musically then, rather than just for acting. Especially if they are only going to be offering expensive "experiences" rather than paying you to work!</p>

<p>Hi Melsmom- I know at Strawhat, they had an audition JUST for dancers; your d was sure to be cast at that! I guess they didn't do that at NETC. Did your d decide which job offer she was going to take? (she's a sophomore, right?)</p>

<p>She did, but of course it wasn't nearly as simple as that! The first place needed 24 hours notice, when she hadn't even done NETC yet. She asked for more time, but was just given until Friday...the day before NETC. So, for this, and other reasons she said no thank you. They could not believe that she would turn down a job, when she didn't even have another one yet.
Then, you know what happened at NETC, not a whole hell of a lot!
This past week she got another call from a second place at SETC, but they were casting for year round work, which she explained that she couldn't yet do because of school. The next day, she got an offer from the last place which gave her a week, and she really agonized over this one too, but then accepted. Sometimes I think having a boyfriend plus a too fun social life really screws up her priorities, but I'm glad she committed finally. I really think she'll have a great experience where she decided on, plus they have classes and workshops during the day to further her training which is good, and makes up for not really paying a whole lot.
BTW, all of these offers were for dance, which she's not really thrilled about, but is hoping that she'll get to do at least some singing...and what the hey, it's payed.
I can't get her permission to post her decision as she is out over the Atlantic somewhere on a cruise for spring break and I can't talk to her!</p>

<p>I don't post details about the location of my son's summer work, but he has been fortunate with MT auditions the past two years. Last year he did NETC and this year, SETC. In both cases, he had several offers and was very pleased with his final decision. In both cases, they pay well and provide housing. I might add that Melsmom is correct - Elon students go far and wide for summer work. For my son, the work he got at NETC was not near New England, and the work from SETC is not going to be in the Southeast. The theatres that go to these auditions are geographically diverse.</p>

<p>Daughter is a freshman so this was her first year doing these auditions. She went to NETC and had 6 callbacks. She was in the MT room. She also did the dance call. I agree with Melsmom that the instructions were very unclear. She didn't know if she was supposed to go to the dance call or not and we could find no clear information on it. So since she is a dancer, she just went anyway. Worked out fine and she would do it again. She has had some interest and one definite offer through the NETC auditions which she just turned down today because she has another offer from an independent audition which she received today and is taking (with great excitement)!! She did not do Strawhats since it seemd like many theaters were at both places and she didn't want to miss too many weekends at school since she has a Saturday class. However, we felt that there were really not that many theaters at NETC which were actually looking for paid summer employment. Seemed like many were for internships which you either had to pay for, or were unpaid. And many theaters were looking for year round performers. So next year, she might just try both NETC and Strawhats. And of course might try SETC. This year she was not chosen for SETC, but was for NETC and yet was just hired by an equity theater where she could choose to get her equity card now! There seems to be little to no logic in any of this!</p>

<p>Melsmom/Ericsmom - I agree re not posting too many details.
My D did not get an NETC audition, but did get in to Strawhat. She did get a few callbacks, and so now is the waiting game. NETC mailed her pages of info on their theatres so that she could also contact them as they had her info (& after all we did pay the non-refundable fee - lol).
Strawhat did have some pay for attending callbacks as was mentioned at a previous post on NETC. Seemed dancers were most wanted. Not all theatres had callbacks rather 'will call'. Was strange that at least one boy sang two songs rather than song & monologue, and received many callbacks for dance. I believe that at NETC singing two songs was an option, but not at Strawhat (?). Oh well good for him. Also seemed that there were many older kids auditioning (grads). My D is a Freshman so this was a good learning experience for her as well. She did get singing callbacks so she was happy. She thought the dance went well (even with a leg injury).
That same (late) night she sang at a New York club amongst theatre actors (invited by an old friend) so she was on a high! When interviewing her prior to singing, she mentioned auditioning for Strawhat and most seemed to have been there/done that - lol. Though everything is still up in the air she is determined to keep applying and auditioning (for summerstock) because one never knows. Another note, I'm not so sure about the earlier comment on the later groups because she was in a later group and her friend was in a later group on the next day having 9 dance callbacks. Again, all in all it was a good experience, GOOD LUCK to ALL!!<br>
P.S. Saw GYPSY with Patti Lupone - amazing!</p>

<p>Again, it seems the MT audition at NETC is more bang for your buck, whether earlier or later. There are many grad/professional actor/singers at SETC as well. They are called the professionals and are auditioning for year round work. I don't think there were as many at NETC. It's great that the freshmen are doing so well, my daughter didn't do any of the regionals that year and spent her summer home :) . Now it looks like next year would have her last to audition for summerstock, but there is a cool new summer experience at Elon where they actually go to Hollywood for the summer/ as opposed to abroad, to get a feel for the film industry. I better start looking for summer work myself to save for it!</p>

<p>For others for future info I thought I would share S's experience. He was in a show that was in rehearsals or running during many of the large auditions. But instead of being bummed he got industrious and contacted a number of theatres on the audition list in mid February with queries if they would take a DVD audition with the offer that he would fly to see them if they were interested. Out of the five theatres he got three offers and did his call backs via YOU TUBE of all things. Definitely a cheap way to get a job!</p>

<p>Congrats to your very industrius son cluelessmc2! Youtube is a great tool to get yourself out there!</p>

<p>Congratulations to all receiving offers for summer stock! What a fun way to spend the summer - and to get paid for it- sigh!!</p>

<p>Does anyone know about the Berkshire theatre festival, my daughter just got offered a summer spot there in their apprentice program.</p>

<p>Clueless, that's great that your son decided to contact the theatres directly -- great move. The Strawhat rep mentioned that as an option when my S's flight to NYC was cancelled, but it turns out he decided to stay on campus this summer.</p>

<p>I'd love to know if anything comes of it... it's great to know there are options if they can't make the big auditions.</p>

<p>Does anybody know of any paying summerstock like things on the West Coast?</p>

<p>"Out of the five theatres he got three offers and did his call backs via YOU TUBE of all things. Definitely a cheap way to get a job!"</p>

<p>He was offered one job on the East Coast and Two in the Western US. He will be doing Bobby Strong (said this is the year of Urinetown as everybody he knows is Bobby Strong) and Curly in Oklahoma in a Repertory Theatre. He had some other very nice offers but his Grandmother has always wanted him to be Curly and whatever Grandma wants.....</p>

<p>clueless -- guess i was so intrigued by the idea of youtube callbacks, i breezed right by the 3 offers part. that's great! is he going to take one of them?</p>

<p>"He will be doing Bobby Strong (said this is the year of Urinetown as everybody he knows is Bobby Strong) and Curly in Oklahoma in a Repertory Theatre. He had some other very nice offers but his Grandmother has always wanted him to be Curly and whatever Grandma wants....."</p>

<p>Edmondsg - I am having lots of fun with you. You must really be having some moments like I have all the time lately.</p>

<p>Jenifer</p>

<p>clueless... i'm not really this spacey, honest. :-) i've been flipping back and forth between real work and cc, and obviously not giving cc the focus it deserves! sorry to ignore part of your posts twice!! it must be the weekend. :-) have a good one.</p>