So you want to work on Broadway

I have worked on Broadway shows since I was a little kid. The moment I could tell a patron where the restrooms were I was put to work. There is no other business like it. The fun of the shows, the characters that work in the front of house as well as backstage and the class of patrons that it attracts is like no other. There are so many different departments that you can choose from entry level(t-shirt/Bartenders) to full on executives.

If you want to break into a career in Broadway the best way about it is to either find out if any of the consession stands are taking on help. Some of the companies are Araca(merchandise) sandbar, sweet consessions(bartenders) and interns at one of the producers office or theatre owners.

Most of the other departments are union jobs from ushers to managers. These positions get a little harder to get into. Each theatre chain hires their own ushers. Nederlander is probably the hardest one since it is still trying to implement a new hiring procedure. Right now they take applications each season. Fall and Spring They put a freeze on taking applications 2 or more of their houses are closed. For example right now they are not taking on new applicants. In a couple of weeks they will be taking since the Neil Simon theatre will be opened again. The next hiring session will happen in February most likely since spring season so many new shows come in and they will be desparate for people again.

Jujamcyn  and Shubert Theatre chains usually take from the union hall which is Local 306 they do not have formal training like the Nederlanders. They have a hiring directors for the ushers(the person who gives out work) and they also take suggestions from the head usher on who is a good worker or not. They are other theatres that use ushers but they also call the union.  How to get into the union is not a hard thing but it does cost money. It is around 350 bucks. Not to bad but if you only get 1 or 2 shows a month is it really worth it. You can always work an off broadway house and not have to join the union Jazz at Lincoln center is looking for ushers. The usher department is like a close family it is rare for outsiders to get in you usually have to know someone to get your foot in the door.

Cleaners and porters are another union Local 32b-j. 32 BJ took over Local 54 a few years ago and now they are in charge of the cleaners and porters. This union is very strong union most of the people that work in this department get their friends and family their jobs.  The practice of this still goes on today. This one is a definate not what you know but who you know. It is an easy job all you have to do is clean. The benefits are incredible in exchange. Full dental and healthcare. The biggest draw back are the hours. 8am -12pm six days a week than you have to come back for an hour between shows to clean up on Matinee Days. Porters work 6-7 days a week. Three nights a week they have to work 8-12 and then 7-11 but some theatres have different shifts 1-5 12-8 it all depends on the size of the house.

Box office don't even bother they are for the most part related to each other whether it be brother sister cousin or aunts very few people get in that union position unless you are related or bff with someone. There are other positions within this department though not many. One of them is line guy/girl they are basically line controll for the lobby(non-union) or you can be a lottery person they are the ones who run the lottery. Lottery started with RENT. You show up at a theatre that participates at a certain time fill out a card and if your name is drawn you get to buy 1-2 tix at a real low price anywhere from 25-40 bucks a ticket. That job is simple and it pays about 25 bucks for a 45min shift.

Managers and company managers These positions are union they are part of ATPAM union local18302 . House managers usually have a degree in theatre this job is basically a glorified babysitter. You have to deal with all the departments within the theatre ushers,porters,box office, stagehands etc and don't forget the wonderful patrons. House managers also have to make sure the building is maintained and all paperwork that is involved with it. You deal with vendors contractors engineers, It is like you are being paid to take care of your home. That is what it becomes your second home. You work 6-7 a week during the day you are doing paperwork keeping books checking compliance issues dept of buildings all things to that nature. During show times you are checking to make sure all staff are where they are supposed to be. This is a salaried positon no real chance to make extra money.

Company managers they deal with the show production take care of the actors and all things associated with the show. They usually are hired 2-3 months before a show comes into Broadway. They help get the show into the theatre. They reconcile the box office statements pay all the production people including the actors and the pink contract people, they goto all the press events ad meetings etc. They work 6-7 days a week as well. At least they are supposed to they usually work 4-5 days they have deals setforth before they start. They work 10am-8:30 with an hour or so for dinner. When they are not there they usually have someone from the office intern or an assistant cover their shifts. It is a good job and fun if you like hanging with actors.

Stagehands this is a union job you must be a union memeber to work in this department. Local 1 is the union. They are carpenters, electricians and props. Most carpenters i know are masters at the craft they build parts for the sets fix things throughout the buildings as well as other various things. Electricians they are in charge of all the lighting through out the stage and front of house they also are exceptionally skilled. Props they move things on stage they have ques and they also take care of things in the front of house fixing seats curtains and other things. they are usually jack of all trades.

Sound also local 1 they for the most part goto school to learn how to run a board they are trained how to run the sound for each show by the sound director. This is a learned skill. Sometimes they are trained on the board by another electrician or someone that takes a strong interest in sound engineering.

There are several other position available in theatre these are just a few. The best place to start is talking to the unions some of them have apprentiships and some of them will give you advise on how to break in .