AJ (Any pronouns): 

How do you find your first assistant directing gig?

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Dear AJ,

Do you want to stay local to where you are or do you want to venture out? That is the first big question that you may have already asked yourself. Once you know where you want to be, your options narrow. 

After that, I am certain advice varies, because experiences vary dramatically! 

I would say:

• List all of the theaters that you know of in the place that you want to work. Is it a long list or really short? If it is really short, do some research and go out there to see shows before you ask to be AD-ing. If it is a list with multiple theaters, go to the websites of those theaters and see what opportunities they have to offer. If no opportunities are apparent on the site, see who works there and if you have any kind of connection there at all and/or write a letter expressing your desire to connect with the theater they are making there. 
• Look into programs in your area that connect playwrights and directors or offer mentorship. 
• When you see a play that you like, keep the program and look at who worked on it. Do a little detective work about how they came to work together. You can get a lot from bios in programs, artist statements and resumes on websites, organizations they are connected to on social media. Connect those dots!

Do something with folx you know and then invite people with whom you would like to work. That is a great way to introduce yourself and put yourself out there. Make a spreadsheet of “People to Invite” and have columns for names, emails, organization/affiliation, date that you reached out and if they responded. If you do not have an email already, check their website or their organization’s website. Some folx put their information on social media or LinkedIn, as well. If they just have a contact form on their site, use it! And invite them to the show. When they email back, you can add their email into your spreadsheet! And if none of those result in an email, you can ask a mutual friend for an intro or DM! 

In the same breath as offering this advice, I will also caution - do not treat people like opportunities for yourself to further your goals. Treat people like people. 

Best of luck in making connections, 

Fefu