Forum Theatre: How I Got Involved at a Company

Michael Dove (artistic director Forum Theatre, JMU alum, director of Angels in America: Perestroika) and I set up a meeting to chat about how I could get involved at Forum soon after New Jerusalem (obviously I only italicize sometimes...) opened.

We talked about how I was interested in new work, design, directing, blahty blah blah.

He talked about all the new things Forum is doing this season and the several(!!) ways I could get involved. He wanted me involved in their new work development program, staged reading series, and marketing for the membership program. He also said I should think about which shows I might want to assist on. He invited me to their company meeting that weekend. I was pumped.

I created a flyer marketing the membership program to JMU students (to start off) the next night and started emailing. And not because I wanted to get in with Forum, but because I genuinely think their membership program is a brilliant opportunity for college students.

I met several company members at the meeting and introduced myself.

I went on the company weekend retreat, which was perfect.

And now I'm marketing my little heart out. And I love it. I'm working as a volunteer, which is fine with me because I like the work and I'm new. Everyone keeps telling me to be careful about volunteering and working for free and I am very aware of that advice. I am being careful, but I'm also okay doing it for now.

I got a comp ticket to Vibrator Play from Forum's Managing Director. Volunteering pays off :-p

I am also the assistant lighting designer for their next production: Scorched, which I am so excited about. Brian Engel, the lighting designer, is great and the script is powerful.

Woo. Caught up.