Yet another way to meet someone famous…sort of
Came up with one more way to meet someone famous: be on their crew. See, every theatre venue (such as the Madison Civic Center) has, along with the regular union crew, a list of “extras” to fill out the crews to load and unload the sets, hang lights, run sound cables – the grunt work. It’s not too hard to get on this list, though actually getting picked to work may be more a factor of both the season (hint: summertime is dead) and also how many friends you have in the stagehands local.
But, if you do get in on the crew, it’s almost certain (especially if you’re part of a sound check) that you’ll see a star. Of course, if you then run down to the stage screaming “LIIIIIIIIIZZZAAAAA!!!” you will most likely be tackled, thrown out, and not be very popular with the local any more.
However, I have to say, having worked as crew for some pretty well-known dancers, if you simply do your job well, and smile and look cheerful…well, maybe it’s different in other arts, but I’ve yet to meet a headliner who is not very friendly and affable. Ethan Steifel, Heidi Latsky, Larry Goldhuber, all were incredibly friendly directly to me, even when I was nothing but a well-paid gaffer. Representative Tammy Baldwin not only was friendly, but hours later in the shoot for her 2000 campaign ad she still remembered my first name and was conversational.
Of course, it’s work. But it pays much better than minimum, and if you’re like me, you love the smell of the theatre no matter where it is, or who is there.
I’d like to hear other people who may have had a brush with fame: who have you met and how? Also, how have you managed to survive the Week Without So You Think You Can Dance?
Meanwhile, here’s a little bit of Ethan Steifel and the ABT dancing in Le Corsaire, just cuz it’s purty.
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