2019 alumnus, Tanner Callicutt talks about his experience as an actor in New York City during coronavirus.
One industry that has been majorly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic is Performing Arts. With live theatre at a standstill, Broadway, regional, and community theatres are finding ways to connect to audiences virtually and engage as much as they can. As an advisor supporting students in this industry, I am reminded of the power of networking and online engagement, especially now.
I was also reminded of my work with a 2019 alumnus, Tanner Callicutt, through social media and LinkedIn and wanted to check in on his journey both before and during the pandemic. Please see below for updates on Tanner’s life post- Elon and his words of advice for our recent 2020 graduates and upcoming 2021 graduates who are anxiously anticipating breaking into the industry!
Tell us about your major at Elon and why you chose to pursue a career in the performing arts?
I am a proud alum of Elon’s Acting program! There are many things that were factors in my decision to pursue a career in the performing arts, but the most definitive is this: I couldn’t imagine ever doing anything else.
You gained success booking gigs in NYC right away – in particular at Feinstein’s / 54 Below! What was your day-to-day like as a performer in NYC pre-COVID?
Ahhh life pre-Covid…oh, how I miss that! Just before the virus hit, things were starting to get pretty busy with auditions and callbacks for a few big projects. I had settled into a rhythm of auditioning and working my survival job. The virus did result in the postponement of a few projects, one of which is an encore performance of Broadway Loves Selena Gomez at Feinstein’s / 54 Below. The new date for the concert, where I’ll be performing alongside Broadway alums Ariana DeBose, Andy Mientus, and many others, is January 25, 2021. After taking a stint of time away from the city due to the pandemic, I’m excited to get back and dive into auditions and performance opportunities as they return.
What virtual resources or media platforms have been most helpful during COVID-19?
Online correspondence has been vital for me during this time. Social media can be such a great tool for networking. Instagram is one of my favorite ways to stay in touch with other industry folks that I don’t get to see regularly because of the pandemic. In addition to keeping in contact with industry professionals through social media, many auditions have moved to self tapes in an effort to not reschedule or cancel altogether. I think it’s safe to say that I put myself on tape for more auditions the first month of quarantine than I had in the preceding year.
What advice would you have to current students seeking to move to NYC or enter the performing arts industry during this time?
The best advice I can give to current students is to plan and save. It’s always smart to have a plan, but especially for the unpredictable and uncertain times we are in. I think it’s important to set parameters for yourself when making a plan. For example: By what date would you like to be in the city? Do you know what area of the city you’d like to live in? Do you have any potential survival jobs in mind? etc. Like a plan, a budget is imperative. With the current pause on the entertainment industry, now more than ever, it is wise to save as much money as possible before making the big move. Speaking more broadly for someone hoping to enter the industry right now: find ways to continue working on your craft and keep your skills sharp, so that when job opportunities return, you’ll be ready.
Tanner mentions many times the notion of having a survival job. Often, this can be parallel to the career goals we are pursuing as a performer. If you are planning a move to NYC, connect with industry professionals, both through platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram, as well as utilizing your network at Elon. Now is the perfect time to work on your craft, as Tanner mentioned, and make sure you’re fostering and building your networking base!
Finally, if you are a student and unsure of how to get started, the SPDC can additionally assist you with networking strategies.
This article appeared originally on the Elon University Career Services blog at https://eloncareersblog.wordpress.com/.