#3 Dear Julie: Summer Stock
7/3/24 DEAR JULIE… Summer Stock
Welcome to the first installment of the weekly post of “DEAR JULIE” where I answer questions received via DM on instagram - check my IG Sundays/Mondays for the prompt if you want to have a chance for your question to be answered! I won’t share your username :)
TODAY’S “DEAR JULIE”:
HOW SHOULD I LOOK FOR SUMMER GIGS/SUMMER STOCKS? WHAT ARE SOME RED FLAGS I SHOULD KNOW?
What an excellent question with a LOT of detail to share so BUCKLE UP.
To start, let’s talk about what SUMMER STOCK is for our friends who may not know. First off, there is a difference between SUMMER STOCK and A THEATRE WHO PRODUCES A SHOW OR TWO IN THE SUMMER. These are not the same! A THEATRE WHO PRODUCES A SHOW OR TWO IN THE SUMMER but has a full year calendar is not a summer stock theatre.
A true “summer stock” job is at a theatre that ONLY produces shows between May-September and often utilizes a company of actors and staff to create the shows. Actors are typically rehearsing one show during the day and performing another show at night. Sometimes the company of actors may do even 5, 6, or 7 shows a summer over the course of 12-16 weeks. Shows are rehearsed in about 10-12 days and then perform about 8 shows a week while rehearsing the next show at the same time. Actors are often housed in large company housing - like old houses, “home stays”, or dorms at a nearby college. Other actors may be hired as “jobbers” to come in for a specific role. In summer stock, the company members are mostly the ensemble and may play a role here or there. A “jobber”, or in some cases a true “guest star”, will be hired for one show usually in a lead or supporting role like Lola in Kinky Boots or Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes. That actor will most likely only appear in one show and usually is either a favorite of that audience or may even have large Broadway or touring credits.
Summer stock is a great job for young performers looking to get a lot of experience quickly. A lot of people will say “once you do summer stock you can do anything”. The days are long - sometimes rehearsing the next show and having 2 performances in the same day. These theatres often have additional performances like concerts, or “after hours” cabarets, marketing & promotional performances, and special events that you may or may not be asked to participate in.
The summer stock model has changed over the decades as well. In the 40s and 50s, often the “resident company” would be considered apprentices and in a lot of cases, the actors would PAY the theatre a rate for the entire summer for experience and a shot to work with professionals! Isn’t that wild? There are still apprentice programs at various theatres but most of them include a stipend for the apprentices. A very popular model was that the resident company would also take on some tasks outside of acting as well like helping with wardrobe, set building, and other design/tech components. Historically, resident company members would make very little money and a trade off being that they were provided with lodging. Even in the last 10 years, you may find pay rates from $50/week to $250/week. I think I can comfortably say that these days, a reasonable weekly salary for a resident company member would be $400-$600/week based on where the theatre is located and the demands. Jobbers/guest stars have more negotiating room and may even be protected in salary if they are working on an Actor’s Equity contract.
If you are wanting to go to a summer stock theatre, the number ONE thing to know is that it will be the summer of your LIFE but it also will be exhausting, will test your limits, and is NOT for everyone.
SIDE NOTE - as is the truth with any contract you may get, IF YOU NEED IT - MAKE SURE IT IS IN WRITING. If it’s not written, it won’t happen. Take no one's word! Again, a topic for another day. BACK TO STOCK!
Summer stock auditions or auditions for summer work usually happen between January-April with March benign a very popular audition month. If you are in NYC, there is a chance you could attend 3-4 auditions per day, every day of the week. If you can be in NYC Feb/March, that is very ideal to being able to attend live auditions. If not, make sure you have dedicated time each week to film self-tapes and make DOUBLE SURE you have incredible tapes of a few “cuts” around 60 seconds. If I were you, I’d also make sure I have some standard “slates” available to add on to your cuts. A few like “Hi I’m Julie Galorenzo, I’m 5’4’, based in Montclair NJ and I’m a member of Actors Equity”. I have several versions of that saved with all different combos - name and height, name height location, name height location union status, name and union status, etc. That way, you can splice together what the team wants if you already have it! They are watching a LOT of tapes - make sure you don’t wait 20 seconds to get INTO the song. Also, keep in mind most summer stock theatre produce “classic/traditional/golden age” musicals alongside contemporary blockbusters. So, no need to sing an unknown song from a new song cycle.
Looking for summer gigs/summer stock is mostly the same as searching for any theatre job. As a performer, you should be checking the “boards” every day for new opportunities - playbill.com, actorsaccess.com ($68 annual subscription), actors equity website if you are a member, backstage.com (i find you do NOT need this membership if you use playbill and AA), and broadwayworld for your specific area. There are others like casting networks - but these are the main theatrical sites. Also, be sure to follow theatres and casting directors on socials.
There are two main differences between getting summer work and regular work:
1) if you are a college student, there may be auditions for you through your MT program JUST for select theatres. Participate in this!!!
2) CONFERENCES!!!! Attend a conference or two! They are looking for actors who are available only in the summer or year round.
Conferences are so fun when you are just getting started (I also did one in my early 30s and had a great time AND got a job!). You will need to apply to these in the fall so start bookmarking sites NOW. These will require travel and hotel in most cases so it isn’t cheap. But they are great experiences and can result in a job! You will audition for 50 or more theatres!
NETC (New England Theatre Conference): https://www.netconline.org/ They did not host auditions in 2023 and I believe 2024 is TBD. Historically held in Natick, MA.
SETC (Southeastern Theatre Conference): https://setc.org/ Dates released for March 2025 conference. I believe screening auditions are already posted! You can apply today!
STRAWHAT AUDITIONS: https://strawhat-auditions.com/public/ Has been virtual - check for this year! Historically held in NYC.
A1 Conference (my least favorite lol): https://www.thea1auditions.com/ You have to pay the conference fee regardless of if you want to attend those events which I do not love. This has always felt money-grabby to me. Will be held in CT this year.
UPTA (United Professional Theatre Auditions): https://upta.org/ Great for those in college and professionals in Memphis TN!
RED FLAGS/TO BE AWARE
A lot of these summer theatres and facilities date back to the 20s! And if they aren’t THAT old, a lot of theatres were built in the 60s so it is very possible the buildings you will rehearse, live, and perform in may be 60+ years old and they really might look it! Check if there is AC, laundry, nearby grocery, WIFI.
Low paying or no pay listed. Summer stock is like taking on 2 full time jobs. Be compensated.
Check how far the theatre/rehearsal spaces are from the theatre. Can you have a car? If you have one, bring it if you can.
Check for language in audition postings - I find language like “we are a family” often means they are looking for people who will be a tad pushover-y. Or, heaven forbid, it is run by an actual family lol. Above all, see how you are treated and how time is used in the audition itself. If your appointment is at 11:30am and they keep you waiting around for an hour and getting seen at 12:30, that's a red flag.
Look, at the end of the day, you won’t know about issues til you arrive. There are theatres i’ve worked at that I LOVE and would defend to the death, but other people wouldn’t go back if it was the last theatre on earth. Everyone has different experiences and priorities. But know that you can always leave. You may be on a contract, but you are not being held against your will.
Oh, and if you have a bug-phobia. Skip summer stock.
Dreams Take Time :)
Julie