Volunteering - a good idea? and if so, where?

Fri, 21 Sept 2007, 03:07 am

silhouette11 posts in thread

Hi, 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.

Thread (11 posts)

Threaded Flat

silhouetteFri, 21 Sept 2007, 03:07 am

LabrugFri, 21 Sept 2007, 09:21 am

DCA

I suggested this in another posting pertaining to screenplays and I'll use it here also.

You could try contacting the local Government department for advices http://www.dca.wa.gov.au/

Another thought would be to contact some of the bigger theatre groups such as Black Swan, Perth Theatre Trust, Barking Gecko, just to name a few. You could also try the Film and Television Insitute or ScreenWest also.

Absit invidia

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
Fight/Sword Choreographer
Virgin Director

Home Page
Yahoo Blog Page

David GreenFri, 21 Sept 2007, 11:47 am

Perth Industry

Dear Kate In Perth there are lots of opportunities available if you know where to look. The problem is a lot of people do this as a hobby rather then a career which ultimately limits the paid jobs they can do. The other thing about Perth is that to be successful in the entertainment industry you need to be as versatile as possible. You need to throw yourself into it, even if its cleaning floors or scrubbing toilets like you suggested. Don't let "I have no experience" stop you from starting up. Even the best film and theatre people once had "no experience". The saying in the industry is "Fake it till you make it". If you want to start acting again but are a little rusty, you can do one of two things: you can either go do workshops and classes, or you can get the hands on approach and start auditioning for student films, amateur productions, or anything else that pays you in experience. The difference between the two is one the teacher will suggest how to do it better, whereas the other you learn yourself which MAY take longer. !!!BE WARNED THOUGH!!!! Do not accept experience as the only denomination, as long as you can deliver the goods ensure you don’t start doing everything for free, at some point you will need to be paid for you work. And finally, do your research. Look at people who DO get paid for their work. Not the Heath Ledgers' or Peter Jackson’s' but the people in Perth who are making a living off this industry. There are the Models, Actors, Sound Crews, Camera Crews, Choreographers, MCs, DJs, Arts Admin, Reviewers, etc. All you need to do is decide which area you would like to start in and then do the leg work ;) Hope This Helps Keep Smiling :) David Green DRAGON FILMS www.davidgreenenterprises.com

DazzaBFri, 21 Sept 2007, 03:25 pm

Dear Kate,As David said,

Dear Kate, As David said, there are lots of opportunities around Perth - but most of them unpaid. If you're willing to travel, Mandurah Performing Arts Centre take on volunteers to crew for their in-house productions. Singing in the Rain is coming up in November and Wizard of Oz in January. The phone number for down there is 9550 3900. Also, think about the arts admin/venue management courses that are around through the various tafes and unis. Local Governments will also employ cultural officers in various capacities (I work for the City of Rockingham as their Youth Arts Officer...) so perhaps keep an eye on the different local gov websites to see what may be available or may come up :) Best of luck Darren

Neville TalbotFri, 21 Sept 2007, 06:47 pm

YES YES YES

There 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...

Walter PlingeSat, 22 Sept 2007, 12:21 pm

You can also contact the

You can also contact the Fremantle Volunteer Centre on 9335 3394 - they have lots of opportunities in different areas for people wanting to do things.

NormaSun, 23 Sept 2007, 11:11 am

Volunteering - a good idea?

I can't think of one local amateur/community theatre that isn't in dire need of volunteers. Depending on where you are living at the present time, find a local theatre group and VOLUNTEER. go to the companies button and look some up alternatively email me at oldmilltheatre@exemail.com.au and I'll provide you with a list of the local theatre companies.

The downside?? We do it for love

BiglouieTue, 25 Sept 2007, 10:26 pm

In this town....forget it!!!!

If you volunteer in any thearte in Perth you will only line yourself up to get slammed by the So-Called "Know-it-alls." DazzaB is a classic example of what I am talking about. He is the youth and arts officer for the city of Rockinham and yet he openly supports theatre and arts activity in Mandurah and Kwinana and doesn't even mention the Rockingham Theatre Company. (That reminds me...I must write to the City of Rockingham about this.) Anyway my advise to you is forget Perth and move east to Sydney or Melbourne or even Brisbane where anything you do whether it be paid work or amature work will be greatly appreciated.

NaWed, 26 Sept 2007, 08:40 am

Yeah, cause being in the

Yeah, cause being in the Eastern states makes it so much easier to find work. It just means there's slightly more work for less people. Sticky Apple Legs www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.thepromptcopy.com/pip My puppets www.collectzing.com/collection/137/

DazzaBWed, 26 Sept 2007, 09:56 am

Reading what you want to read...

To BigLouie, I suggested Mandurah Performing Arts Centre for volunteer work simply because they are one of the most state of the art venues in Western Australia and, unlike the communtiy theatre based in Rockingham, MPAC is open 6 days a week and has staff that work there on a permanent basis and are therefore better equipped to take on a volunteer in multiple capacities. But Kate, please also be aware, Rockingham Theatre Company are also here and always looking for committed volunteers to help them produce a wide variety of shows. I have not worked at RTC for many years as, after I did not audition for their production of Les Miserables I was very impolitely told to leave and never come back, but that was me. I know of many people who have had truly amazing experiences with RTC. RTC have a long history of producing high quality shows and giving large amounts young people the chance to perform and to learn about all things theatrical - well done :) Regards Darren

kwyloSat, 6 Oct 2007, 06:27 pm

Volunteering

Hi Kate, Hope your search for a volunteering position is going well. I just wanted to confirm what Jeff noted earlier, we do take volunteers on at the Film and Television Institute, depending our our level of activity at the time. The most common project that volunteers work on the WA Screen Awards, The Fremantle Outdoor Festival and Tropfest. Many of the staff here at the Institute began as volunteers or very active members. Kind Regards Graeme Watson Professional Development and Training Manager www.fti.asn.au

← Back to Theatre Classifieds