Volunteering - a good idea? and if so, where?
Fri, 21 Sept 2007, 03:07 amsilhouette11 posts in thread
Volunteering - a good idea? and if so, where?
Fri, 21 Sept 2007, 03:07 amHi, I was wondering if anyone could offer me any advice.
I'm 21 and have just moved to Australia from England. Ever since I was little I used to be a drama fanatic and took part in every school show and amateur production that I could. I really loved it. However, I guess I lost my confidence and after the age of 16-ish I stopped pursuing it and decided to do a degree in Creative Writing.
I need to finish my degree out here in Oz, which isnt a problem. I will probably Major in English. Of course, the time has come to start thinking about what I'm going to do when I leave! Scary! I always come back to the idea that I would like to work in some way to do with drama and acting. I can't shake that yearning. I am going to start working on my acting again by doing amdram and some classes.
However, I run through all these ideas in my head but in reality I feel like I know nothing about the industry and where I should focus my efforts. Acting is the ultimate dream, but I'm realising that it may not pay the bills and there are other areas I am interested in. I'm not sure whether theatre or films would be my forte..if either! And I'd love to learn about Arts Administration to understand what that entails.
I figured that the best way to get an idea of the direction I am heading is to get some work experience and volunteer. I have lots of free time until February and really am interested in working in any area of the industry to gain some experience and insight into what life is really like. I'd be happy making teas and cleaning toilets if it meant I got some insight! But the thing is, I've been completely out of the loop for so long and I feel I have no proof that I am passionate about this. I dont feel that I have a good general knowledge of the industry (but I want to learn) and have nothing relevant and recent on my CV.
Especially being in a new country I feel a bit lost and dont know where to start. However, I do have all this free time and dont want to waste it, as it may also be valuable in helping choose classes when I go to uni in February.
Can anyone offer any advice? Or if you are in Perth and need some help in any kind of arts project for someone with no experience...let me know and I'd love to help :)
Thanks so much
Kate
ps. And apologies if this is posted in the wrong section. I wasn't sure where it should go.
YES YES YES
Fri, 21 Sept 2007, 06:47 pmThere are many organisations looking for volunteers. Community theatre is never over-supplied with people!
When I was doing training in arts admin, the most consistent advice I got was- volunteer- preferably for the co. you want to work for.
So often I have seen people do this, and end up working there.
By the same token, don't fold letters and lick envelopes forever. If the place you're at doesn't offer something that actually trains you you are essentially being a servant/slave.
You want to get clear what skills you do have. i.e. can you operate a computer, write a database, budget, graphic design/artwork, good sales presence (for box office/FOH) etc. I see you are doing writing as your degree- so press releases, bio's, programs etc. would be good. You could also look for reviewing work (I know lots of companies that would be super keen to have people review their shows, and will give comps seats to someone who will be there)
You'd be suprised how much you can offer already!
My organisation is always looking for people to help out, and we probably have a few projects you might be interested in helping in. we are also artists in residence at the WA Academy of Performing arts, so could introduce you to everything and everyone in there.
and we fit the bill of having no money!
We're a percussion group though (with a pretty theatrical stage show). I'm not sure how it could work, but send an email to me through the website (go to my member profile) if you're interested and we'll try to meet up sometime and chat through ideas.
If you want to know more about what we do and who we are, check www.tetrafide.com- it's overdue for a big overhaul/update, but there's plenty of info/video/pics on there already.
good luck
Nev
It's the simple things stupid...