One aspect of the job that I find almost unbearable is the Meet and Greet. There are several kinds, but the upcoming one is smallish; a party of 15. I can handle the larger ones quite easily. The key to those is to move. A couple of minutes at the punch bowl; a quick hello to a visiting professor; cooing over a small child. Interspace that with a few asides with closer co-workers and the big Meet and Greets are bearable. It's easy to get lost in a crowd, and a step outside for fresh air is never noticable.
The smaller Meet and Greets are something else. 15 people. That's not a lot. While I'm on nodding terms with most that show, there are a few names that I only recognize in cc emails. I know that I will only be able to hide by the punch bowl for so long, and then it's time to talk the talk.
The Head of the Department always introduces me with "... and Nicky's a writer. She's worked with -insert famous author here-, and has written and performed in several plays as well..." Invariably, I'm asked what I'm currently working on, and I tell them my standard writer's response, once I've tested the waters a bit. (if it's an artsy crowd, I say I'm working on a collection of poetry, if it's a performance type crowd I say I'm writing a play. I sometimes mention I've written 2 books to other writers, but then follow up with a statement proclaiming how I am not interested in pursuing publication, which makes everyone nod in understanding.)
Things are heating up at work, as tomorrow evening is our Dress Rehearsal (with invited guests, no less). We are so far behind with our Front of House preparations (displaying promos, production notes and outlines, reviews of past performances, etc.) that I'm starting to get worried, which is unusual for me. I'm pretty easy-going, but my one-up isn't. She's the frantic, type-A personality, which seems to be rubbing off a bit. There is so much I could do, but I've already stayed late twice this week, and am working an extra day this weekend, even. This week's production is smaller in scope, just Friday night's performance and then a day off. It's back to work on Sunday, though, even if it is a Meet and Greet. I get paid for it, and it's work for me to do it.
My title keeps changing. This performance sees me as Assistant House Manager, which is more clerical/organizational. Next one sees me as Assistant General Manager, which has me working for specific artists, and off-location. The last performance was simply Production Assistant, which I enjoy a lot: rigging lights, running levels, and primarily working in the theatre. I'm continually being thrown curveballs left, right and center, and it's definitely a sink-or-swim kinda job. You don't just learn it in a class training session, you just do it and try to keep up.
I talked with my one-up, and she said it takes at least 3 years to feel comfortable. 3 years to pretty much be able to handle everything.
deep breath.... and go.