task 3a

Networking.... This was something I was told about at college! My teachers told me was very important. One of my teachers used to say
you never know who you are talking to, it could be a choreographer or a casting director etc. They told me to be very aware of networking
in a theaters surrounding areas such as coffee shop's and bar's, as they are close to a theater, its very likely that people in the performing 
industry will be in there! 

Different ways I Network. 

Work

I work front of house in The London Palladium, most of the front of house staff there are also performers so I always hear about auditions or other performing opportunities from my colleagues. Obviously this is a really easy way to network as professional things get brought up in conversation on a day to day basis! Also we are in contact with the people involved in the show (performers, choreographers, directors etc) 
so sometimes we may find out about a casting before its officially announced. When I am not in a dancing job I purposefully get a job in a theatre for this reason as you stay "in the loop" and don't loose contact with the performing world.

Facebook/Twitter.

I have always used these social networking sites but they growing more and more useful to the performing industry. It used to be that it was just a way to stay in contact with fellow performers but now many Agents/ Casting Directors have their own Facebook pages / Twitter accounts and post information about auditions on them. I think this is great as it is so easy to use and most people now have smart phones so it is easily accessed wherever you are. It is also slightly 
more informal so you don't feel as much pressure. I think this will keep growing and more Agents/Casting directors will start putting information on there, I like this as I think it gives more performers a chance to audition for things even if they don't have an agent.

Agents

Most performers now will have an agent, again this is an easy way to network. I call my agent twice a week to see if they have any auditions/castings for me, I also try to have regular meetings with them to make sure we are both working together. This is important to me as I feel the better my relationship with my agent the more they will help me with my career as they will know me well and see my passion and drive! Some people may not want to get an agent because they take commission from your earnings but I think it is very beneficial to have one as they do help you a lot with your career and they also do a lot of networking for you as they will be the ones who first speak to the casting directer etc on your behalf. 

 I am intrigued to find out new ways of networking, I think it is a very important key in our careers, there is that famous saying "It's not what you know, It's who know " and obviously the more we can network the more people we will be in touch with and hopefully then this will help us develop our careers further and further! I think this course is a great way to open our eyes to things that are right in front of us but we just don't realise!