College Light Opera Company
- Performer, 1-3 years ago
I wanted to talk about the overall wellbeing and safety at CLOC. No locks on the doors to where the performers/crew are staying. Yes, it is in the middle of nowhere but in a sense isn’t that more frightening? Service and WiFi was absolutely terrible and if god forbid anything were to happen, the only ones who would see would be the dead chipmunks scattered on the paths and rats in our bunks! Laugh. Out. Loud. There was a general lack of security which seemed absurd when we would have donor performances once or twice a month where people would be giving us money, so of course that would be going toward the facilities and making the company overall more beneficial in every capacity… right? Or did they just pocket it? …. (but that’s for a whole other conversation) While putting on a facade of a “professional” company, it consisted of nothing but: rude people dictating what to do to a bunch of 21/22 year olds and giving us a hard cutoff for our 20 minute Lunch and dinner time (which many of us worked during)- There were also rules that seemed completely unnecessary such as chore charts, doing gardening and pulling out the weeds, cleaning the kitchen, etc., etc. The theatre which we’d be performing in was the kicker- definitely full of asbestos and has not been cleaned since the 60s (at least). The overall cleanliness was disgustingly morbid. The limited showers and sinks we would be sharing amongst a hundred “kids” (20 year olds) would be rusted over, cockroaches, no hot water, and sometimes would not even turn on. Also- because we all had similar rehearsal times, you’d have to get up at least an hour and a half before your normal get up time to get a chance to pee before your 15 hour day! With a 20 minute lunch! With bitter people who did not make it in the industry yelling at you all while going against your contract and disregarding the daily call(s). This pay is a complete joke as well. Save your time AND energy! Also the cult energy was freaky… (again, that’s a whole other conversation)…I hope they someday shift their focus and create a safe environment with better working conditions, better pay, and a more diverse cast- there is no reason to have just one black person in your company when you are doing shows that require BIPOC storylines. Do better and wake up.
Anonymous - 02/18/2025 - Performer, more than 5 years
This theatre truly made me want to quit theatre for good. I went back to school after and my teachers fully had to convince me to stay in the program because if that’s what it is like in the world then I wanted no part of it. I had never felt so bullied and disrespected. Not to mention as performers at the time we got no pay, while everyone else there orchestra, tech. Etc was payed. I heard there is some sort of stipend now but that’s not worth it. If the theatre is making money, so should you. I had no issue with the schedule I like being busy so doing a new show each week while performing the previous at night was not the issue. It was the toxic environment I had a problem with. Also there is no reason they should be hosting auditions every week for the next show, so that you can then go to bed next to the person who got the track you wanted. It’s like they want to make the cast tear each other down. That could all be taken care of before they get there and then at least the cast could have each others backs and not be insecure and add to the toxic culture. They do feed and house you… but like… they pay you nothing so you wouldn’t be able to feed yourself anyway. I think the lack of pay comes from them calling themselves a “light opera company” a lot of opera programs for young artists are pay to play. You have to pay to actually be there so they think this is better because at least you aren’t paying to be at the program but they run it like a theatre not like an educational program despite what they say. At young artist programs at least I was getting private voice lessons once to twice sometimes three times a week and classes and guest technicians. They are trying to find the cheapest way to put on summer theatre at the expense of their young performers mental health. Hopefully changes have been made since I was there but it doesn’t sound like much has changed other than a joke of a stipend.
Anonymous - 04/13/2024 - Performer, 1-3 years ago
I mean the pay is laughable. BUT you are essentially an unpaid but fed, housed, and bootcamp intern. CLOC definitely teaches you how to do the damn thing but it is not for the faint of heart. Tensions can also easily get high within the company since it is such an intense schedule to do a fully different show every week. Your experience will also depend on who is the director for the shows that you are heavily featured in. I kinda wish when they sent offers of what roles you are being offered that they would specify who is directing those shows.
Anonymous - 02/27/2024