Sigh.
Yes. I started this entry with an exhalation indicative of frustration or some other, potentially pensive emotive state.
Sigh yet again.
Here is the situation:
As I mentioned previously I have been hired by the Mt Washington Valley Theatre Company to serve as their TD for the Summer 2012 season. Hurray!.....And I think I also stated that A) they were unsure that they would be having a season this year and so are getting things organized late and B) that they also agreed to cover a flight out as an advance against some of my seasons pay (at least, that is how I understand the arrangement...). Those two things are important to remember.
I did some online searching and found various flights and sent the info to the contact there for them to proceed with....and then I waited......and waited.....and....well, you get the idea. Then I sent some more, alternate flight info to the contact there.....and waited. Which is, mind you, completely understandable given that they are also auditioning/hiring a full staff beyond me.....Then I discovered some......disquieting news. I saw a post via the theatre's Facebook page that they were looking for a scene shop to rent for the Summer build. Huh?! The last info I had they had arrangements with a local business owner to use a 'storefront/warehouse space' that was available. Apparently, that must have changed....
The original schedule had us starting work on the 26th (this Tuesday). The last email I have from the contact there said that 'because of other issues' things might not be able to start till the 27th and so it would be 'fine for you to arrive on the 25th or even the 26th'.......I can only presume the 'other issues' include needing to find a shop space.....shrug.
We don't open the first show till July 10th. And as the first show is Nunsense Jamboree which is, from all I can determine, a fairly light build we should be okay as far as that goes. And again, I totally get and understand that there are other arrangements needing to be made beyond mine. It's NOT my first rodeo....It is just that the waiting and all is beginning to ravel my nerves a bit is all.
Anyway, I'm very, VERY thankful that the theatre is willing to work with me as far as getting there goes. I just really want to do a good job and to get to work.......
So that's that story.....so far. I'll add more once I know more....Or should I need to 'vent' again.
In other, somewhat tangentially related, news: I am still in planning work for The Veldt production this Fall here at UAF. I must be honest and admit that it has only been about 20% on my schedule as opposed to what it might/could be, in part due to the organizing and such for the Summer gig......
Also, I have to announce that I received a continuation of my Wood Grant for the upcoming academic year. While not as large a sum as last years I am still incredibly grateful to have been selected! Not sure if I've previously mentioned it but, due to some glitch in the process, I also seem to have not been listed as having applied for the UAF Theatre Dept scholarship that I've had the last two years. So it was given to someone else. IF that person does not claim it (ie: they don't enroll or fail to show up in the Fall) I am listed as an alternate. Sigh and shrug. Which means I need to find other funding. Still searching for, submitting, etc additional applications for scholarships, grants, etc. I'll be applying for such things as the Osher Reentry Scholarship and several online essay based scholarships, but some of those deadlines are really close to the beginning of the academic year.....Eeeeeek! So, as always, if anyone has any recommendations, suggestions, etc about grants and such please let me know. Thanks!
Another bit of news: As of right now (please note the disclaimer, which is because I still have an outstanding incomplete on my transcript, even though I have submitted the required essay/paper) based on my GPA I received a letter from the Chancellors Office and it announced that, for the Spring 2012 semester, I made the Chancellors list. Amazing what a 3.92 GPA can do for you.......I just hope that the Incomplete turns into a grade that lets me keep that status.
I guess that's about the size of it for this entry. Here's hoping that the next one will include details about the NH gig....and, if I keep focused, about the scholarship and grad school searches......Till then.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
A Bit Frazzled......
It's been roughly a week since the last post....As I mentioned last time I had had an interview with Opera Saratoga, in Saratoga Springs NY, for a carpentry position. And how I was waiting on hearing back from them about it and potential travel details. I was also waiting to hear/have a phone interview with the representative from the Mt Washington Valley Theatre Company, based in North Conway NH.
Well, first let me say that I did not get the carpentry gig, due mainly to transportation issues.
That said, I also did have an interview on June 5th with the rep from Mt Washington Valley Theatre Company. We talked for about an hour, which truth be told I took as a good sign at the time. I had applied for a gig as the seasons Scenic Designer. However, I also (as mentioned in the last post here) said I was/am amenable to other positions. My interpretation of the spin of the interview ran towards it being (mainly) a TD interview with a Scenic Design component included. After the interview I submitted some portfolio materials and started waiting. Of course, given that the rep had stated pretty succinctly during the interview that they would be interested in my being a part of the Summer team had me in a pretty positive mindspace. A few days passed and my neuroses were beginning to raise their head(s) when I got a call last Saturday (the 9th) from the rep. They offered me the following (and bear with my description because it's a little convoluted):
** The position of Technical Director for their Summer season. OR (potentially) the Scenic Design position, IF they do not find someone whose scenic qualifications exceed mine AND IF they have another option for the TD slot......
Like I said, convoluted.
In part that is due to the fact that, as is often the case, the theatre received more design oriented resumes than production oriented ones. So to make best use of the pool of applicants, they asked if folks would consider other, non-design gigs. And as I've said, while I would love to get the additional scenic design credits and imagery for my portfolio, a TD gig is a worthwhile resume addition too. And it's a gig. Which is important to get after the whole VADA debacle down in Palmer. Plus this theatre was on the edge of not having a Summer season, due to a variety of factors. It was the local supporters who, as I understand it, basically said: what do you need to make the season happen? And after some discussion, the local sponsors came up with the funding and in kind support to make it possible. Which is why they are hiring folks so late in the game. And why the gig itself is still a bit muddled.
I think that the late start is a portion of why they are also willing to help with transportation costs. Of course, the search for appropriate flights has me a bit frazzled (part of the reason for the post title). Especially when you research on a 'compiler site' (ie: Kayak.com) and it gives you one price and when you click through to the airline it gives you a different, higher price.....Anyway, I'm still searching for airfares and forwarding the info to the rep there in NH.....
The rehearsals and build are slated to start on June 26th. And so I should be flying out as early as next Wednesday (June 20th). The season consists of
Still working through what all I can/need to pack. With the *insert expletive* baggage fees it makes things interesting for someone who travels with tools, drafting gear, and some reference texts and, as a consequence, HAS to check luggage. I was fortunate enough to come across, at the "Really Free Market" that was held recently, a soft sided footlocker sort of luggage piece that just might be able to hold everything that has to be checked as well as most of my wardrobe for the Summer.....At least, that is the current hope. I want to keep it down to one checked bag, my carry on (backpack) and my laptop case. We shall see how that works out.
When I started this post I was certain that I had more to say but.....When it comes to me, I'll post some more. Till then......
Well, first let me say that I did not get the carpentry gig, due mainly to transportation issues.
That said, I also did have an interview on June 5th with the rep from Mt Washington Valley Theatre Company. We talked for about an hour, which truth be told I took as a good sign at the time. I had applied for a gig as the seasons Scenic Designer. However, I also (as mentioned in the last post here) said I was/am amenable to other positions. My interpretation of the spin of the interview ran towards it being (mainly) a TD interview with a Scenic Design component included. After the interview I submitted some portfolio materials and started waiting. Of course, given that the rep had stated pretty succinctly during the interview that they would be interested in my being a part of the Summer team had me in a pretty positive mindspace. A few days passed and my neuroses were beginning to raise their head(s) when I got a call last Saturday (the 9th) from the rep. They offered me the following (and bear with my description because it's a little convoluted):
** The position of Technical Director for their Summer season. OR (potentially) the Scenic Design position, IF they do not find someone whose scenic qualifications exceed mine AND IF they have another option for the TD slot......
Like I said, convoluted.
In part that is due to the fact that, as is often the case, the theatre received more design oriented resumes than production oriented ones. So to make best use of the pool of applicants, they asked if folks would consider other, non-design gigs. And as I've said, while I would love to get the additional scenic design credits and imagery for my portfolio, a TD gig is a worthwhile resume addition too. And it's a gig. Which is important to get after the whole VADA debacle down in Palmer. Plus this theatre was on the edge of not having a Summer season, due to a variety of factors. It was the local supporters who, as I understand it, basically said: what do you need to make the season happen? And after some discussion, the local sponsors came up with the funding and in kind support to make it possible. Which is why they are hiring folks so late in the game. And why the gig itself is still a bit muddled.
I think that the late start is a portion of why they are also willing to help with transportation costs. Of course, the search for appropriate flights has me a bit frazzled (part of the reason for the post title). Especially when you research on a 'compiler site' (ie: Kayak.com) and it gives you one price and when you click through to the airline it gives you a different, higher price.....Anyway, I'm still searching for airfares and forwarding the info to the rep there in NH.....
The rehearsals and build are slated to start on June 26th. And so I should be flying out as early as next Wednesday (June 20th). The season consists of
Still working through what all I can/need to pack. With the
When I started this post I was certain that I had more to say but.....When it comes to me, I'll post some more. Till then......
Monday, June 4, 2012
Drought, Then Flood.....Or So It Seems.
Well.....It's been an interesting few days. Actually, to be more specific, an interesting last 48 hours (+/-).
Since this is intended to be a brief update (other stuff to do....stuff to accomplish) I'll work at keeping it short. So.......Late on Friday/early Saturday, after what was seeming to be a total wash on all the resumes I had submitted so far for Summer gigs, I saw that there was a new, last minute job posting on Backstagejobs.com seeking a Scenic Carpenter for an opera company in Saratoga Springs NY. So I sent out my resume. Then late Saturday/early Sunday got a message back that they wanted to do a phone interview. Had that (various details being expurgated at the moment due to time....I'll potentially add more detail later) and had to wait to see what the artistic directors decision was. That was supposed to occur this afternoon (Eastern Standard Time). Shortly after the interview for them, I finally got another email back from the theatre in NH (which I believe I mentioned in a previous posting) asking to set up a phone interview with them too. So I emailed back within thirty minutes or so but have not heard back yet.....I was hoping to have spoken with them by now so that, when the opera company calls/emails back with a decision I would have things to compare....IF, of course, either or both make any offers. The opera gig would need me to fly out.....tomorrow. It would be that quick. The NH gig would not start till the 26th of June and then end after the last show opens/whenever my final responsibilities are complete....Or Labor Day, whichever is applicable.
I'll be candid: I really would like the one in NH. I applied for the position of scenic designer for the season of four musicals. It would be an awesome portfolio builder. Admittedly, when the contact there emailed me back the first time (a couple of weeks back) and asked if I would also consider positions such as carpentry or props I did say that, even though I consider myself a designer/scenographer, I would be open to other work as well. So while I am presuming that the interview will be for the scenic design gig it could be for something else......sigh.
Anyway that is the crush of action over the last 72 hours or so.
No matter what happens, it did point out a lesson to me: I should start keeping a '30 plus days' bag packed (or at least ready to be packed) at all times. Just in case.
Time to get back to other projects.....More details/updates when applicable.
Since this is intended to be a brief update (other stuff to do....stuff to accomplish) I'll work at keeping it short. So.......Late on Friday/early Saturday, after what was seeming to be a total wash on all the resumes I had submitted so far for Summer gigs, I saw that there was a new, last minute job posting on Backstagejobs.com seeking a Scenic Carpenter for an opera company in Saratoga Springs NY. So I sent out my resume. Then late Saturday/early Sunday got a message back that they wanted to do a phone interview. Had that (various details being expurgated at the moment due to time....I'll potentially add more detail later) and had to wait to see what the artistic directors decision was. That was supposed to occur this afternoon (Eastern Standard Time). Shortly after the interview for them, I finally got another email back from the theatre in NH (which I believe I mentioned in a previous posting) asking to set up a phone interview with them too. So I emailed back within thirty minutes or so but have not heard back yet.....I was hoping to have spoken with them by now so that, when the opera company calls/emails back with a decision I would have things to compare....IF, of course, either or both make any offers. The opera gig would need me to fly out.....tomorrow. It would be that quick. The NH gig would not start till the 26th of June and then end after the last show opens/whenever my final responsibilities are complete....Or Labor Day, whichever is applicable.
I'll be candid: I really would like the one in NH. I applied for the position of scenic designer for the season of four musicals. It would be an awesome portfolio builder. Admittedly, when the contact there emailed me back the first time (a couple of weeks back) and asked if I would also consider positions such as carpentry or props I did say that, even though I consider myself a designer/scenographer, I would be open to other work as well. So while I am presuming that the interview will be for the scenic design gig it could be for something else......sigh.
Anyway that is the crush of action over the last 72 hours or so.
No matter what happens, it did point out a lesson to me: I should start keeping a '30 plus days' bag packed (or at least ready to be packed) at all times. Just in case.
Time to get back to other projects.....More details/updates when applicable.
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