Patricia Angotti
TCES Executive

A startled statement from a surprised job applicant at a conference employment service a few years ago comes to mind as plans are underway for another at USITT Annual Conference & Stage Expo in Toronto.

The applicant expected to wander around to employer booths, pick up job descriptions, drop off resumes, maybe show a few pictures from his portfolio and, if he was lucky, even get a brief interview. Well, there's more to THEatre Conference Employment Service (TCES) than that. What lures employers and applicants is the promise of substantive personal interviews in one-on-one, face-to-face communication. True, there are no booths at the fair; nor are there any faceless resumes or peopleless portfolios. As a result, people really connect.

TCES can be a best friend and ally in helping candidates efficiently network and navigate through the trauma of finding that perfect job or, for employers, that perfect hire. TCES is designed to carefully and efficiently match employer and applicant while easing the stress and tension associated with job hunting and employment service activities. The key to that network is a fully computerized system listing available job opportunities, posting applicant resumes, and scheduling interviews between job seekers and prospective employers. Great care is taken to schedule interviews conveniently around other conference sessions and workshops that participants may wish to attend. The atmosphere is low key with a friendly TCES staff of theatre professionals available to offer advice and provide personal assistance.

Two different levels of participation are available with TCES; one for those offering or seeking professional employment and another for non-professional summer theatre jobs, internships, or graduate assistantships. Because the service works to match appropriate jobs with qualified people, both employers and those seeking employment are urged to sign up early. (Fees are lower for early registration, too.) Complete information and TCES registration forms are available on-line at www.usitt.org or by calling 800-93USITT. To contact TCES staff directly by e-mail write to ts@evansville.edu or call 317-826-7894.

USITT contracts with THEatre Service to provide TCES so that potential employees and employers have a safe and professionally organized environment in which to work should they wish to interview at the conference. Fees are well within reach of the majority of the membership because USITT underwrites TCES as a membership benefit and valuable service for conference attendees

Job postings are not allowed on the note boards and will be removed. Those with job listings should take advantage of what TCES has to offer for its low, low fees. For the safety of the applicants and to protect the membership, interviews are not permitted in hotel rooms. This policy is for everyone's safety and security.

So - if "it ain't no job fair," what is it? How about matchmaking!

To Top