Pitch, Pitch, Pitch…GOT THE JOB!!!!!

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We all are always afraid to just pick up the phone, make a cold call and ask for work. This is more so for theatre people. Somehow its feeling of being rejected that one makes one, have a ego or one does not bother to pitch at all and simply ask their managers or want to outsource that to someone else. I highly recommend that theatre people simply do the pitching themselves. I am not qualified enough to talk about films as theatre is my primary genre and I consider myself a hard core theatre person. So this blog is only concentrating on theatre pitching. Many people ask me how do you get work, today I simply want to say, “I ask for work”.

Ok, let me share some guru mantras ( can I call myself a guru after 33 years in theatre?)

1. Keep in touch with your clients: one should always keep in touch with your clients, an occasion is the best way to keep in touch. A simple Diwali greeting or even a new greeting does the trick. We have festivals almost 200 days in a year in India, a great way to keep in touch.

2. Also give calls back to inquiries. Follow ups are extremely important if they do not answer back, relax and then get in touch with them after a few months.

3. Find a meaningful relationship with your team. For me personally I prefer if my team is based on a professional relationship rather than a warm cosy knit group. I would like to see my actors get certificates and awards as my theatre is a company and not a group based experience.

4. Research on the internet. I use the computer at least thrice a week and make searches on topics that might get me work like ” open calls” “proposals” ” grants” etc and I make sure that I answer them. I must admit truthfully that for every ten proposals I write I might just get selected for one. That also I might never do but it makes me optimistic and gives me enough motivation to pitch for more work. I must add here that I also pitch for foreign courses and jobs even if I don’t have the visa to the country. One should not look at those matters which can be tackled later.

5. One should make their presence felt in schools and educational institutions. Schools are an amazing place that will help you market your own brand. One can try and get visiting teaching jobs.

6. Write on blogs. I must admit here that I started writing for stagebuzz almost 26 years ago and it gives me immense motivation. I also make sure to share the blog with my friends, family and other theatre people and I get extremely excited to read their likes and comments. Find a blog to publish or simply publish in magazines.

7. Join associations and communities. Associations charge minimal and make a deep impact on networking and getting that job that you always wanted.

Do not give up my friends, make pitching a habit that you will develop. Once that habit gets developed, you will feel out of sorts if you miss out even one on your habits. Its a enjoyable task and please do it yourself, as who else knows you better, than you. Do keep sharing your ideas in the comments about how you pitched, and got your job as it will help us all including me!

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Gouri Nilakantan

Gouri Nilakantan Mehta holds a masters degree from Miami University and is currently persuing her Phd in theatre from the dept of Arts and Aesthetics at JNU Delhi. She has over 23 publications to her credit and has presented several papers at international conferences at Japan, Pakistan, Dubai and America. She was awarded the best graduate student award by Miami University. She has also directed over 12 plays and has produced more than 25. ABOUT GOURI Honest and straight forwardness is appreciated by me rather than a soft and gentle approach FAVOURITE QUOTES the only short cut between two points is a straight line

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25 Responses

  1. Avatar Rishabh Bansal says:

    Nicely written. Specially the point about making your presence felt in schools . Not only it enhances the young minds’ exposure to this world, it also generates audience for the theatre industry

    • Avatarwp-user-avatar wp-user-avatar-48 alignnone photo Gouri Nilakantan says:

      Yes young minds need to harnessed into theatre and also it helps in building your individual brand. All artistic experiences are individual branding based, ofcourse the team is important but it is the main artist behind the brand that sells.

  2. Avatar Abhishek Bali says:

    Thank you for sharing these practical and insightful tips! As someone who appreciates the hard work and resilience required in the theatre world, your advice really resonates. I particularly liked the emphasis on maintaining meaningful relationships with clients and teams – this is something that transcends industries and is vital for long-term success. Your approach to pitching, especially the persistence despite rejections, is inspiring. It’s a reminder that opportunities often come from consistency and optimism.

    • Avatarwp-user-avatar wp-user-avatar-48 alignnone photo Gouri Nilakantan says:

      Thank you so much for the validation to my constant efforts. That is true for all fields more so for theatre which is difficult career to pursue.

  3. Avatar Samarpita Roy says:

    Absolutely agree madam.. The same concepts are applicable and relevant for all other fields as well… Though with minor tweaking with respect to the target clients…. However the underlying common theme of resilience and persistence stays the same…. Great blog and great connecting this way!!!

    • Avatarwp-user-avatar wp-user-avatar-48 alignnone photo Gouri Nilakantan says:

      Yes absolutely all fields it is similar the idea is to be persuade and persist till you get your goals and not have any ego to ask for work.

  4. Avatar Gauri Sharma says:

    Abosulety Agree !!!! You are Guru and no harm Guru keeping in touch with his/her Shishyas …way you can tell and explain them about your work performance and achievements no one else can this is the best Mantra to be connected with your disciples and audience ….kudos your work 👏👏

    • Avatarwp-user-avatar wp-user-avatar-48 alignnone photo Gouri Nilakantan says:

      Thank you so much its a two way street today, guru shishya has its value and at the same time its important for the learner not to feel intimidated by the achievements of the mentor. The point here also is to just ask for work.

  5. Avatar RANJEEV SACHDEVA says:

    Nice, Very rightly said ma’am.

  6. Avatar Yogesh Verma says:

    Yes. Very good advice! You got to go for what you want. Pursue your passion and don’t be hesitant on expressing your hopes and expectations.

  7. Avatar Nandini Sra says:

    Appreciate your straightforward approach.

    • Avatarwp-user-avatar wp-user-avatar-48 alignnone photo Gouri Nilakantan says:

      its good to be straight, yes I cannot understand any other path! I think its of value hence I shared!

  8. Avatar Nandini Sra says:

    You’ve taken up so many aspects – all very pertinent ones. I appreciate your straightforward approach.

  9. Avatar Karan Madaan says:

    Nice

  10. Avatar Chandramouli Nilakantan says:

    Perfectly put!

    • Avatarwp-user-avatar wp-user-avatar-48 alignnone photo Gouri Nilakantan says:

      Yes thank you, its as simple as asking for work, just a simple formula ask you will get, if you dont ask a little later or ask someone else.

  11. Avatar Rajeev Bhalerao says:

    Loved it Gouri. Thank you for sharing ☺️

  12. Avatar Stuti Lal says:

    “Your 7-point plan is a treasure trove of practical advice for theatre enthusiasts.Your mantra of ‘I ask for work’ resonates deeply.

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