Followspot Operator Required - Melbourne

ARC's July Season of West Side Story is looking for a followspot operator! Venue: Banyule Theatre, Heidelberg (Part of Viewbank College) Dates Required: 30th June to 2nd July - for Tech/Dress Runs 3rd to 4th July - 8pm Show 8th to 11th July - 8pm Show, also 2pm Matinee on the 11th. This is not a paid position, this is a great opportunity to gain experience in followspot operation, reading cues and to help make connections within Melbourne's amateur theatre scene. Some experience or a basic understanding of lighting and followspot operator is preferred, secondary and tertiary students welcome. Private message me if you are interested, Thanks, Karla Lighting Designer for West Side Story

Come on! Anybody?!?!

This position is no longer available, I have found someone to cover the season. I must say that I am very disappointed in the underwhelming response to this post. I am constantly seeing people post here and on other websites, their eagerness to get involved in the technical side of theatre, especially lighting. Just a reminder (or even a wake up call) to up-n-comers/beginners/students/newbies/probies, whatever you want to call yourself, that if you want to get into technical production/assistance in the theatre world, you need to start somewhere. Whether it is gaffer taping cables, rolling leads, shadowing an LD, doming or backstage assistance, DON'T take that common attitude that 'you are better than that' or 'this is an insult to my intelligence/skills'.. Be grateful that you are actually being given the opportunity to get involved in a show, rub shoulders with people who can actually give you bigger and better opportunities as they get to know you and see your skill range. Don't expect to just land an LD or SM job on your first day out of TAFE or high school. Some people are lucky and can floss their way into those gigs instantly, but the majority will need to do the 'hard yards' and actually work for the recognition. 99% of amateur theatre IS NOT PAID! If you land a profit-share gig, maybe think for 2 secs as to the chances of the gig making a profit in the first place! If you want pro-experience, contact the production managers for the pro-shows, look for work at local theatres or even the bigger venues, get in with a hire/production company. But take note that you are really expected to know your stuff before you go wandering into a pro-venue, show or company. Take the opportunity that amateur gigs offer - you are allowed to make mistakes, you have a wealth of knowledge surrounding you, you can experiment with ideas, learn what works and what doesn't, learn how stuff works and begin to get an idea of effective communication and relations. It's all about connections at the end of the day. There is a network out there, and for those in the network, it is quite often you will receive a call or email regarding a gig from someone who has worked with someone else you worked with. You can either take this advice and use it, or keep dreaming. This is coming from someone who literally started at the bottom only 2 years ago and now I am designing for quite a few amateur shows a year. Not making money from it, but hopefully one day it will be my career! I'll continue to post positions available for the shows I have coming up, and hopefully their will be a few more people interested. And just to make a point - I do have people that I could simply call and ask to cover these positions, but I like to extend these positions to those who may not have those connections.. That is all.

Karlae I'm sorry that you received very little response. I would have considered helping out myself - having done a little followspot in the past - but will be leaving for the US on your final day of performance. I will also add that this site does not get frequented so much by Melbournians, nor are techies in the majority. Can I recommend that next time you also put the word out to local universities? I know that there are plenty of students at Swinburne who'd love the chance to help out and put their skills into practice. Many of them are even good ;) Puppets and patterns at Puppets in Melbourne

Some of us would have been happy to help out, but the petrol from Perth is a killer. www.meltheco.org.au