After my series last week, someone asked the question: Where do I find a theater job?  While my answer to this question will not be exhaustive, there are some places I have found helpful in looking for gigs.

The best way to get a job is by far Neworking and word of mouth.  The jobs that are filled before being advertised are usually the best ones to have.  They are among people who work well together, and those people are willing to recommend the opening to friends because they know it is a good working environment.  There are times, however, when actively looking for a job needs to happen, and the internet feels like an easy way to look.  Here are the places I often look online: 

1. Backstage Jobs : I’ve never actually received a job from my searching on this site, but I have seen many many interesting jobs posted here, and it’s free to use.  The reason I have never received a job here is that I am picky about location and there has never been job perfect in task and location for me posted.  If I were willing to move or work away from my husband for a season, this site would provide many options.
2. Art Search : This site requires a paid membership, but both my undergrad and graduate colleges received a paper version that they kept on hand for students to browse.  I can still call up the theater office at my undergrad and get Art Search listing information as an alumni.  If you can get a hold of it for free, I suggest doing so.  I’m not sure I would pay for it personally though.  I discovered my first summerstock job in Art Search.
3. Craigslist :  Craigslist is better for some cities than others.  It was pretty decent in Philadelphia, but it is not as well used in Utica.  Sometimes posts there are not for real jobs, so caution is required.  (In other words, you probably don't want to inquire about a job doing massages.)  I have, however, received a few short term gigs that paid well by keeping an eye on my local craigslist.
4. Greater Philadelphia Theatre Alliance : While this site only includes the area in and around Philadelphia, it is the best place to find a theatre gig for that area. 
5. USITT Jobs Board :  USITT is a great organization, and their job board is a small perk compared to other ways they can be helpful.
6. Technical Theater : While the above five are the places I would be most likely to check out, there are many other small sites.  Technical Theater is a site that keeps up to date on all sorts of links, including job links, so if none of my favorite sites work out for you, that’s a great next stop.

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