If you're hooked on Broadway musicals, you're in great company. From the newest and edgiest productions to cherished revivals, the Great White Way offers theater lovers a concentration of theater houses that remain one of the nation's greatest cultural treasures. Looking for more than just a "third row center" seat? Become part of Broadway musical history by finding your own special place in the spotlight.
Instructions
1. Decide exactly what part you want to play. "Involvement" can mean anything from getting coffee for the director to helping stitch costumes or pursuing an apprenticeship to launch a musical comedy career. Savvy neophytes know that every entry-level job in theater offers a magical opportunity to break into show business, so whether your goal is to apply makeup or be in the chorus line, do yourself a favor and start wherever you can.
2. Research the contemporary musical theater scene on Broadway. Tap the list of theaters found in the Resources section below and use it as a resource for making contact with individual musical production companies. Compose a succinct, well-focused letter that describes your interest, your availability and the circumstances under which you would like to get involved (e.g., "I finish this semester on May 12, but after that time, I will make myself available to you every day that the theater isn't dark to pursue my interest in costume design.")
3. Aim your personal appeals at the people with whom you would like to work. Want to build sets? Contact the head carpenter. Looking for a chance to help the orchestra? Approach the librettist or conductor. Avoid going to movers and shakers behind the musical production. Your appeal could wind up in a stack of mail that's been untouched for months by higher-ups who are too busy producing Broadway musicals to read their mail.
4. Don't be shy about doing something that's a bit crazy when you create your theater contact approach. For example, buy a cheap pair of flats and put a note inside that says, "I'd love to get my foot in the door." Include a resume. Since you're aiming for a role in an industry that thrives on fantasy, meet that challenge by showing off your creativity.
5. Show up at theaters with resumes and other material if your letter-writing campaign proves fruitless. Dress appropriately and ask to speak with the wardrobe mistress, lighting technician or whomever you have identified as the person who can best help you get on board. Your chances of speaking to someone face-to-face will be much improved if you arrive at the conclusion of a matinee rather than just before an evening performance or right after a curtain call following an evening performance. It really is all about timing.
6. Collect pertinent information each time you visit a theater, and then follow up with a thank-you note to each person with whom you talked. End each note by saying something like, "I plan to contact you next month, but in the interim, please get in touch with me if you are looking for help dressing the set before performances. I would love the chance to show you how much I learned in my theater classes." Keep a log of contacts to be sure you don't mistake the house manager of "Cats" with the box office manager of the "Carousel" revival.
