May 1, 2006- On April 8, the Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting presented a panel discussion and networking event on careers backstage, designed to provide New Yorkers with information about and access to entry level positions in the City's theatre industry. Moderated by Katherine Oliver, Commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting, panelists Michael Hurst, Managing Director of The Public Theater; Amy Jacobs, General Manager at Nina Lannan Associates; Gene O'Donovan, President of Aurora Productions Inc.; and William Russo, General Manager of Playwrights Horizons, discussed how to break into such positions.

The panelists described internships as a great way to break into the industry. Jacobs reported that, at the end of an internship, even if a company does not have a job opening, they will often recommend interns to their colleagues at other organizations.

They described hard work and passion as keys to succeess in the industry. “You look for enthusiasm and love of the theatre, and for me the telling tale is when I'm in the theatre and its 10:00 at night and my intern is still there. [Then] you know you've got a winner.”

Russo also described persistence as key to getting hired in the industry. “Just because you don't get an answer or response the first time you send [your resume] in, send it again,” he advised.

And the panelists reported being open to hiring individuals who are changing careers. “We're really interested in getting applications from other areas of the industry [because] it brings a different perspective,” Hurst said.

The panel was the second in a series of four addressing careers in theatre management, acting, and theatrical production and support. Additional panels will be announced over the course of 2006, addressing jobs in acting and theatrical production. Information will be available on www.nyc.gov/film .