end of summer updates
So after 2 insane months, camp is finished. I had a lot of fun, but was definitely overwhelmed first session. Teaching plus doing sets, costumes, props, lights and finding sound cues for 47 children is ridiculous. I think I ended up putting in double the amount of hours I was getting paid for, because I'd come home every night, have dinner and then work on the show until I passed out around 10p.
Second session was so much better when there were 2 tech teachers - the other woman did costumes, helped with props, and taught about half the classes. She also works at TLP consistently, so she knew where more stuff was, and which regular staff members would be willing to help build things when I was busy. Thus I only put in a few extra hours the second session, and the design was SO MUCH MORE SUCCESSFUL. Granted Willy Wonka is more fun to design than High School Musical 2....but still. Having actual time to care and put details in makes a huge difference. I'm hoping that next year they'll a) hire me back and b) hire a second teacher both sessions, even if the second one is only part time.
Now that camp is over I have joined the ranks of the (mostly) unemployed. I'm still working at my dance studio, but they only have a limited concert line up for the fall. I'm designing the Scottish play at the end of October/beg of November, I have another dance show for a couple of days in December, and a couple of shows in March. Note the giant gaps between all those things. There were a couple of ME jobs I could have applied for - but one really was complete crap pay, and the other wasn't much better and would have required me to get a car. Honestly, it's just not worth it. I'm an ok ME, but I'm not the best and I don't enjoy it. Working long hours for little pay when I'm not getting the satisfaction of designing is unacceptable for me. I've been checking various sites every day looking for places to apply. I've decided I'd like to continue working creatively with children if possible - so I've applied to the Boston Children's Museum and another After School type program in Arlington. I'll wait until Monday and if I haven't heard back from either place I'll apply to some of the typical office jobs I've looked at.
The good thing about this whole working-outside-of-theatre-thing is that it's a great motivator to actually apply to grad school this year. I've narrowed down my schools to Yale, Calarts (my two reaches, can't actually afford them but why not apply anyways), Parsons (studying architectural lighting, currently the one I'm most excited about), Northwestern (one that actually pays for you, and I've heard Chicago is cool ;-), and possibly UCSD (connections to good theatres that I know in San Diego). We'll see what happens - a lot will depend on financials, since Emerson was pretty expensive, and also where Stephen ends up getting accepted to. We definitely want to live within short driving distance at the very least.
Speaking of Stephen, I'm really looking forward to this weekend - we are spending the night at a Bed and Breakfast on the Cape Friday night and then spending the rest of the weekend with Aunt Marthe and Uncle Jim a little north of the Cape (they are Cate's aunt and uncle, but I've basically adopted them). It'll be a nice relaxing get a way - which is good b/c next week is going to be crazy. Libby and John are moving out (although we just found on they can start moving Saturday instead of Tuesday thank goodness!), Kate (a girl I know from college) is moving in Monday, and Stephen and I are switching bedrooms and shifting the office around. Plus we're getting some new furniture pieces from another friend who's moving into a furnished apartment around the corner. It's going to be a little nuts (although if I haven't found a job yet I'll have time to do one of my favorite things - reorganizing the apartment :-)!)
I think that's it. Peace!
Second session was so much better when there were 2 tech teachers - the other woman did costumes, helped with props, and taught about half the classes. She also works at TLP consistently, so she knew where more stuff was, and which regular staff members would be willing to help build things when I was busy. Thus I only put in a few extra hours the second session, and the design was SO MUCH MORE SUCCESSFUL. Granted Willy Wonka is more fun to design than High School Musical 2....but still. Having actual time to care and put details in makes a huge difference. I'm hoping that next year they'll a) hire me back and b) hire a second teacher both sessions, even if the second one is only part time.
Now that camp is over I have joined the ranks of the (mostly) unemployed. I'm still working at my dance studio, but they only have a limited concert line up for the fall. I'm designing the Scottish play at the end of October/beg of November, I have another dance show for a couple of days in December, and a couple of shows in March. Note the giant gaps between all those things. There were a couple of ME jobs I could have applied for - but one really was complete crap pay, and the other wasn't much better and would have required me to get a car. Honestly, it's just not worth it. I'm an ok ME, but I'm not the best and I don't enjoy it. Working long hours for little pay when I'm not getting the satisfaction of designing is unacceptable for me. I've been checking various sites every day looking for places to apply. I've decided I'd like to continue working creatively with children if possible - so I've applied to the Boston Children's Museum and another After School type program in Arlington. I'll wait until Monday and if I haven't heard back from either place I'll apply to some of the typical office jobs I've looked at.
The good thing about this whole working-outside-of-theatre-thing is that it's a great motivator to actually apply to grad school this year. I've narrowed down my schools to Yale, Calarts (my two reaches, can't actually afford them but why not apply anyways), Parsons (studying architectural lighting, currently the one I'm most excited about), Northwestern (one that actually pays for you, and I've heard Chicago is cool ;-), and possibly UCSD (connections to good theatres that I know in San Diego). We'll see what happens - a lot will depend on financials, since Emerson was pretty expensive, and also where Stephen ends up getting accepted to. We definitely want to live within short driving distance at the very least.
Speaking of Stephen, I'm really looking forward to this weekend - we are spending the night at a Bed and Breakfast on the Cape Friday night and then spending the rest of the weekend with Aunt Marthe and Uncle Jim a little north of the Cape (they are Cate's aunt and uncle, but I've basically adopted them). It'll be a nice relaxing get a way - which is good b/c next week is going to be crazy. Libby and John are moving out (although we just found on they can start moving Saturday instead of Tuesday thank goodness!), Kate (a girl I know from college) is moving in Monday, and Stephen and I are switching bedrooms and shifting the office around. Plus we're getting some new furniture pieces from another friend who's moving into a furnished apartment around the corner. It's going to be a little nuts (although if I haven't found a job yet I'll have time to do one of my favorite things - reorganizing the apartment :-)!)
I think that's it. Peace!