The Waiting Game

It sounds like a new show for the Game Show Network. Get a room full of theatre professionals together after all the auditions, conferences, and interviews these past few weeks and turn a camera on. What would happen?

Waiting to hear back from places is always the hardest part of being a contracted theatre practitioner. One can only read so many books, do so many crossword puzzles, and meditate so many hours before he or she starts to go stir crazy. 

Right now is the worst time for theatre people because most of the summer stock applications are in, the regional theatre auditions are done, and graduate schools are almost finished with interviews. We are all on the precipice of something but until we get the email, call, or letter, we have no idea if our tears will be of excitement or frustration. The waiting makes the unknow worse. A line from the song, "I Know It's Today", sung by Princess Fiona from Shrek: the musical comes to mind.  

"And the waiting, the waiting, the waiting, the waiting
The waiting!"

Luckily unlike Fiona, we have a bit more freedom and can fill our hours waiting with something productive. 

If you are waiting for the interview:

1. Read up on the theatre company. Knowing more about the mission, season, and staff at the theatre you wish to work speaks volumes about your commitment. 
2. Reread your cover letter. Some interviewers will reference it or your resume. It helps to remember what you said.
3. Update your portfolio. If you have been doing some projects, but have not had time to add them to your portfolio, take some time to do so. Being able to tell a recruiter you have new material helps add to your application.  

If you had the interview and are waiting for a decision: 

1. Write "Thank Yous". Thank the interviewer for their time, but also thank your references. Keeping a dialogue between you and your prospective employer helps keep your name in the forefront of their minds. Thanking your references is just a nice thing to do. They will probably be more willing to be a reference next season as well.
2. Brush up on your weakest skill. The dreaded "what is your weakest skill" or "what is one of your weaknesses" is a question all interviewees hate. Practice those scale drawings, invisible hems, or watercolor paintings. You will be able to show you are not afraid to practice on your own to hone your craft. 
3. Keep looking for jobs. Although you have finished a round of applications and interviews, you always need something lined up for after. 

There are plenty of other things to do to keep your mind from overanalyzing your interview or cover letter: read, draw, call a friend, look for design inspirations, go to the humane society and play with the puppies (also a good stress reliever for those of you who still are in school and taking finals). 

If you have not heard from a theatre about an interview, this can be one of the hardest things to navigate. Many theatres today do not wish to have applicants call about their status, but if there is an email address for questions, you can always send a quick inquiry about your application. A short, "This is who I am, I'm still very interested in the position of ____ and I was wondering if you had received all the necessary information." can set a mind at ease and is not too obtrusive. 

Question of the Post

What
are you 
waiting 
for?