Finding local places to be on stage crew?

Question

im 15, and i mite wanna go into acting, but im pretty shy and stuff, so i thought i cood go on stage crew and kinda see what its like...

but i dont know where to look...i want something local so that my parents dont hafta drive very far, but i havent heard of any plays...i checked the calssifieds, but didnt see anything...i dont know what sites to look on that wood be reliable...

i also dont necesarily want it to be a big play that i cood easily mess something up on...

so are there any sites or anything that i cood look on to find plays in my area that i cood try to join stage crew for?

Answer 1

No offense at all, but your age restricts you, in most "professional" senses. Certainly you can volunteer in a school theater group, or church theater situation. Summer is a time for many production companies to do Childrens theater, ask in those areas for an internship of sorts.

   You age, and working, is dictated in part by the US. Dept. of Labor, and minimum age requirements for such things as theatrical trades unions, "IATSE"

   Certainly it can't do you any harm to research, investigate and contact your local IATSE org. office, but they won't "HIRE" you, not even as an intern.

   In that sense of being part of a production crew, even for High School, you can be involved in all phases of back stage, from learning all the terminology, to working curtain, to lighting, set movement in a black out, props, helping in exiting the stage even by holding back a curtain, learn blocking, taping off a stage, glow taping off stage exit paths, etc. etc. etc.

   You might also investigate local community colleges at some point, for two year, theater technology degrees, and get involved. certainly even at your age, a desire and some persistence will eventually be beneficial to you.

Just my 2 "scents"

Answer 2

Get involved at school - it's a great way to start.  A local amateur group is the next step - try Googling "amateur theatre" with your area added, or try asking your drama teacher who may well know of some local groups.