FAQs:

How does the Theatre Technician Cattle Call work exactly?

The Theatre Technician Cattle Call is very similar to an acting cattle call. Representatives from the various theaters and production companies are seated behind a table. At your scheduled appointment time your resume is handed out to them and then you are ushered in and given a seat in front of the group. You will have eight minutes during which you will be asked questions about your experiences, skills and availability. You may even be asked to name your favorite Muppet.

Is there a cost to attend?

No. Participation in the Theatre Technician Cattle Call has been free to all participants on both sides of the table for as long as it has been under it’s current management. We are dedicated to having that policy remain.

Who should attend?

Everyone! If you are just starting out or if you are new to the DC area the Theatre Technician Cattle Call is the best way to not just get your resume in front of a large number of potential employers, but also allow them to put a face to your name and let them learn a little bit about your personality. If you are well established you have probably been working for the same companies and the Cattle Call is a way to expose yourself to other employment opportunities and remind others you are still alive and interested in work.

Are companies looking for full time employees?

That varies from company to company and from year to year, but in general no. The larger companies are typically looking to fill out their over hire lists, and the smaller companies are usually looking to fill specific positions on a show by show basis. Occasionally a vacancy has occurred somewhere right at the time of the Cattle Call, but you shouldn’t count on it.

Are companies looking to hire designers?

This also varies among companies and individual years. The largest companies are never looking for designers in this forum, and the medium sized companies rarely so, but the smaller companies frequently are. And working over hire, especially if you are just starting out or new to the area, is a great way to increase your network and hear about design opportunities in the area.

I work across multiple categories. Do I sign up for more than one appointment slot ?

Each applicant is allowed only one appointment slot. If  you are looking for work in multiple categories, you may bring two versions of your resume to your appointment if you wish. Just remember that you will have to provide 70 copies of each.

Should I attend if I am an Equity Stage Manager?

Unless you are new to the DC area, the chances of finding Equity work through this forum are pretty slim. Many of the smaller theaters do not employ Equity SMs on a regular basis, and the larger theaters generally do not hire SMs through the Technician Cattle Call, although they are often looking for EMC candidates.

Should I attend if I am still in college?

If you are graduating in the Spring, absolutely! That answer varies if you still have one or more years prior to finishing school, but in general, unless you know you will have a lot of free time during upcoming semesters, we recommend waiting until the last semester of your senior year.

Should I bring a portfolio?

There really is not time in your eight minutes to get a portfolio all the way around the room. You are much better off including in your resume a link to your online portfolio. You do have an online portfolio, don’t you?

What should I wear?

While you are not interviewing for a job at a law firm, you are presenting yourself to a group of potential employers. Dress neatly, nothing with rips or stains. Imagine what you would wear, in your own style, either on a first date with someone you really wanted to impress, or to a party celebrating your grandparents 75th wedding anniversary.

Why do I have to send my resume in advance?

This is done as a courtesy to the companies in attendance. The resumes are made available to them about a week before the Theatre Technician Cattle Call. For the larger organizations, the company representative is often not the person directly responsible for hiring in every department. Many applicants have skills in several areas and having access to a PDF of your resume allows it to be shared in multiple departments that might want to hire you.

How long will it take me to receive my appointment time?

We schedule appointments on a first come first served basis, so emails are answered in the order they are received. That said, the DC Theatre Technician Cattle Call is an entirely volunteer run event, so it may take us a couple of days to respond because we may be busy earning a living. If you have not heard anything from us in a week’s time, be sure you have put “Cattle Call 2020” in the subject line and send us a reminder email.

Any other advice?

Keep your resume to ONE PAGE! References on a separate sheet are acceptable, but all other information should be on a single page. This cannot be stressed enough.

A fantastic guide to theatrical technician and designer resumes written by the legendary Steve Shelley can be found here.

Be honest about your skills and experience. You will be interviewing with seasoned theatre professionals, many of whom have decades in the business. They will know if you are trying to fake it.

Relax. The usual group of company representatives are pretty relaxed and easy going. You are not being fed to the lions.

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