Change of Plans

Holy sha-moley!!

So, I'm actually first and foremost a trained actor. I had an audition in Banff in February for an interpretive theatre troupe, and found out I was on the standby list. So I started really throwing myself out there for face painting and balloons.

I just got a call from them, saying there is now a space for the 8 week contract. WHOO!! I told them I will have to think about it - as I now have bookings.

However, I also have contractors. I plan on telling my clients that I have this fantastic opportunity, and would like to take it, and would they be okay with having a contractor at their event instead?

Is there protocal for this? Do I offer a slight discount for the inconvenience? Do I STAY if they say no? Do I go anyway, and burn a bridge?

My brain is in such a whirl! Thoughts?

Is that your passion then, acting? Go for it!! I love performing myself, but strictly amatuer!

If you can fill the jobs your booked clients should accept, if they won't, refund their deposits (if you took any) and give them a written apology. I don't see any necessity to offer a discount if your contractors are up to your standard.

If you go to Banff... will you be performing in May? We'll be there May 25 with friends from the UK (FPer!)

I love painting and twisting, but it's definitely not what I went to school for - acting it is!

I'm meant to talk to the Troupe coordinator on Monday, and I plan on accepting - I have 3 weeks to sort everything out, finish my taxes, pack and get there! Man!

I'm confirmed that I have contractors available for all but one job - waiting to hear back from someone, or else I will beg my brother to brush up his balloons and do it for me...

If anyone says no, I will definitely refund their deposits and write an apology. I'm hoping everyone will be okay - I'm having a training session next week, so no clients should have any problems.

So far as I know, we start rehearsals April 20th for 3 weeks in Banff, then we're on the road, touring schools in Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer and...somewhere else. Haha. Once I have my schedule, I can let you know where I'll be!

That is awesome! Congrats! But, we'll miss you here. Make sure you take your paints. There might be an opportunity for you to do some theatre make-up or just play for pay!

Thank you!

And never fear - it'll take more than that to get rid of me, haha. I am definitely taking my paints, if only for my own amusement, and will be checking out the forum when I can

In retrospect, the decision was a no-brainer - although I'd be lying if I said I wasn't mildly terrified of calling my clients tomorrow

Let me know when you are in Banff and maybe we can get together, or better yet when you are in Calgary.

What a great opportunity for you!!

Jo: Funny, cause I'll be in Alberta while you're in BC, haha.

I'm in Banff from April 20 - May 11 I believe? Plus most weekends after. Then Calgary from May 12-22. All I know right now is that we have 2 shows a day, and we have a tour van (!) so I won't have my car with me in Calgary. Pretty sure I'll have weekday evenings free, and I think because we have two weeks in Calgary back to back, that we're there for the weekend instead of heading back to Banff...I'll let you know when I know more!

Oh, and I called my clients, and they were all okay with having 'substitutes' in - phew!

Congrats, Kristal! I wish you the best

Glad it's all working out so well for you. What an amazing opportunity!

Whoot! Break a leg!

Thanks, Ladies! I'm so stoked. This was also my push to get a new cell (my old one = water damage...what? No, I totally didn't drop it in a bucket of water...or a foot of snow...), and I'm going to add long distance minutes to my plan so I can still book/talk to clients.

Have you guys ever tried running your businesses while out of town? Any tips?

Well... internet access so you can keep in contact with clients!! When I travel I need to respond to inquiries so that they don't think I'm ignoring them!! Particularly when I am on the road for three weeks.

Make sure to have your calendar with you so you can actually take a booking for a future date if you are open, then advise you will send the paper work on your return - or, if you are taking your laptop make sure to have all your forms on it so you can email to them right away.

That's pretty much it. I don't send out other painters so it is pretty straightforward for me.

I'm glad everything worked out with the client.

And yes let me know where you are when you are in Calgary. I love meeting new people.

Where will your show be? Maybe my daughter and I will have to come and see you. She wants to get into technical theater so we go to different shows so she can see what is going on in the "real" world. lol

Haha yes, am definitely bring my laptop, and there is wireless there - also just bought a BlackBerry (joined the cult!), so I'll have email access during breaks etc, too! Calendar's coming with me; booking forms and the like are on my computer.

I usually only have one other painter/twister I'll send out/bring along - and it would have been different if I had booked this gig before booking events - wouldn't have had to frantically schedule people!

We're touring schools - assumably elementary. I'll check with the directors and see if they're allowed to be open audiences, and not just students - will let you know!

Technical theatre as in the crew side of things? What parts? We had to work crews in first year - loved running crew, hated lighting (loved the gels, but don't like heights!).

She likes doing the lights and sound. She has also done the stage work, and props too.