What do you do if theater producers are not responding to your inquiries?

I've told my representatives; "Your job is not about getting gigs, it's about bringing joy into people's lives with each communication." And actually that's really simple because really what else is there in this life? Getting the gig is way on the bottom of the list of accomplishments. :-). Hope that helps. - Corky Siegel

I know there’s a spot for me in their member base. Music is necessary. My job is to let them know I’m out here and I have what people want and need. If they don’t respond I like writing a cute bouncy tune just for them. A custom tune where I include their message. It sets me apart from the rest. I also like lumpy mail. I always did.

Be persistent without being a jerk. Border on being a pest, but ALWAYS bring them new information, not just a rehash of previous material. Get a new pitch or a new angle and say "Here's something new for you."

Creating, performing and touring the artwork is my job, my passion my life. If I cannot do it, I cannot survive, I have no income and the essence of my life cannot be accomplished! This call is unique, if one producer doesn't answer, another will...keep going! The artist needs to be persistant, because his voice is critical for any society!

If a producer is not responding to your inquiries, keep following up with them in a sensitive, positive and patient manner. Allow time to pass before you follow up with them. I usually wait a a couple weeks to a month before I follow up with an inquiry. Always be positive in your follow up. Make your inquiry something that is important and enticing. Maybe try different approaches to your inquiry. Always trying to figure out a different approach that can possibly make them hear you better. Have patience with the producer. They are extremely busy and have to answer to many people. They may want to answer you but put you at the bottom of their priority list. Remember your ultimate goal and allow things to play out.

Networking is not just about WHO you know, but HOW you meet them. Networking can happen anywhere AND it doesn’t have to be the soulless drudgery a lot of people make it out to be. The way I came to be producing lab productions with Boston Conservatory at Berklee was by attending a weeklong intensive with Double Edge Theatre & striking up a conversation with someone one day. That breakfast chat with another person passionate about devised theatre led to a job teaching, producing, directing, & being on a leadership team of a department. I firmly believe in creating opportunities for networking in venues where YOUR passion is not just supported, but celebrated. Give yourself opportunities to allow your skill to align with luck and opportunity.

He who searches always finds, trying to connect only with an email, nowadays with so much spam it is complicated, look for alternatives so that they can see and hear what you have to share with the world :)

It’s never what you know or how talented you are. It’s always about who you are and who you know. Unsolicited inquiries are commonly ignored. Even solicited inquiries get lost in the pile, because so many are received on a daily basis. To stand out, get someone with influence to promote your work to the target producer. Industry insiders are best, but family members and close acquaintances can sometimes be effective. If you truly are creative, get creative. Work every angle you can find. Creating is the easy part. Promotion is where the real work begins.

It is very easy to seem like a creep when you are attempting to network. The most effective way to show your value is to display your value in a non-intrusive and entertaining fashion. Inviting the people you wish to work with to view your work, live or recorded on a known platform is a great way to break the ice and show your value.

Según mi experiencia, la comunicación resulta más efectiva cuando se hace "cara a cara". Al final en un entorno tecnológico se acaba perdiendo la magia de la comunicación. Una vez fui a un ayuntamiento para solicitar el aval económico para el desarrollo de un festival. Fui estando de vacaciones de verano, con lo cual no iba muy bien vestido y aún así conseguimos la subvención. Sin embargo, hemos intentado llevar ese festival a otros ayuntamientos a través de correo electrónico y no solo no lo hemos conseguido, sino que ni siquiera hemos recibido respuesta. A veces no es necesario tener muy buena presencia e ir bien vestido, basta con comunicar cara a cara presencialmente.

Consider whether or not what you’re asking for is reasonable. Quick, cheap, and high-quality: you can have two of those three.

I double-check the projects they are currently working on and refine my pitch so that it hopefully relates in some positive way.

Pitching is an activity that is meticulously prepared and should not be neglected. Who pitches is of uttermost importance because they need to have language that sells. It is vital to even hire an experienced pitcher if necessary. Having a good project is not all it takes. Treat every part of your process with high professionalism especially because this is what decides the fate of the production. Prepare better, be as real as possible and get the best putcher.

My number one thing is to ask for Feedback - whether live or after the fact and use that to find that sweet spot - listening to one person's feedback too much can warp the Pitch, but not listening tells me how you might be to work with. Heading off Problems before Pitching helps - think about all the things A Producer could object to or see as a problem in your pitch - budget, timing, casting, experience etc - and then account for them. Make it EASY to say YES and answer the questions that lead to NO

Generalmente, cuando optamos a un puesto de trabajo adaptamos nuestro CV para ese puesto en concreto. En producción teatral ocurre lo mismo. Tenemos que investigar al productor para buscar puntos comunes o incluso adaptar nuestra obra para introducir elementos con los que se pueda sentir representado.

Promotion the way you promote your project in a short script Familiarize yourself with the film distribution and exhibition industry, including the standard practices, contracts, and requirements

One of my favorite mantras that is necessary in the entertainment business is "try, try again." There is rarely a time when I have succeeded on nailing a position or audition on the first try, and that's ok. This industry is just as difficult as any other and while it may be hard to keep your head up, it is imperative that you remember why you wanted to work in the arts in the first place- to feed your passion, inspire others, and make people think and feel deeper. Remember your value and try your best and use the positive things to motivate you to reach your goals.

It's crucial to keep a positive attitude during this process. Rejection or lack of response is not necessarily a reflection of your abilities or potential. The theater world is competitive, and perseverance is key. Continue honing your craft, seeking feedback, and applying for opportunities. Each interaction is a learning experience that can help you improve your approach and increase your chances of getting noticed in the future.

A career in performing arts was once essentially waiting at home for a majority of phone calls that would not come. Now we have cell phones and can wait everywhere. It’s going to sound like a joke, most things in this industry do, but you DO get to choose how to wait for those calls. Do you want to wait neurotically, stagnating in self doubt and boredom, OR do you wish to see each day as an opportunity to test yourself to expand your connections and your mind? Expanding your horizons is not just about trying to interest others in your work, but keeping yourself interested in who YOU are. You don’t want to be waiting for someone else to open your mind while you want to open the minds of others. You need to be the one with the key.

It's easy to think of pitching yourself or your product all the time - but it's also about pitching your VALUE to the Producer or Company - 1) Be Helpful - work out how what you're offering can solve a problem FOR them - is it a gap in their slate? Or a genre you know they're interested in? A perspective you alone can bring? 2) Ask for Advice NOT Work - people are really happy to discuss their own work, struggles, achievements etc - and feel less pressure when the reach out or follow up is not based on NEED but CONNECTION 3) Let THEM see Value - it's the show don't tell idea - SHOW them what your bring - energy, professionalism, creativity etc. you're giving a sense of what it'd be like to spend years working together.

When training actors I remind them of the same things I heard when learning to audition. “You need to walk into a room believing you are the answer to all of the director’s problems. You are the solution they didn’t know existed until you walked through the door.” Directors WANT and NEED for actors to be that solution. The same can be said for producers. Your value is in the solutions you can offer, or, to put it another way, it is in how you can be of service to the producers. If you ask yourself, “How does this project serve the needs of the producer?” half of how to demonstrate your value is already established. And finding all the variations of your value are found through engaging that question.

Many of the most successful people I have known in the performing arts have kept all of their options open. There is but value in looking for any job in the industry that will allow you to learn more about the entire industry. Head Writers/Showrunners rarely walk into the door with that job. The same is true in most parts of the industry. Production Asst. is a great way to start. Make yourself valuable in any way possible

Think outside the box. Producing an event in a non-traditional venue and partnering with a local business or non-profit can be a great way to find support and connect with like-minded partners aligned with your values or storytelling priorities. Does your play take place in a hotel room? Connect with a local hotel during the off-season. Get scrappy and think outside the box. Artists who do this build alliances that shift culture in a meaningful way. Partner with local breweries, restaurants, after-school art centers, churches, find available space and see what you can get donated. Win people over with your enthusiasm for your art. Don't wait for someone to give you permission. Make it happen and show the world the unique value you bring.

Show up. It’s an age old strategy and it’s harder to say no to their face. Often times people get into their own worlds and even if they are interested, they become overwhelmed. Nothing beats face to face… nothing. Good luck!