Hi everyone! Hi Martina. I have been thinking about something as I refine my scripts for the 2 shows. What do you do, if for whatever reason, there is a technical glitch for example, and some precious time out of the 45-50 minute show is passing without you singing? Do you signal the band to skip a song, for example, and rearrange the order with a song cut out of the set, and adapt the script and banter in real time? Do these lost minutes get added at the end and you just continue with the show, even with the delay? Has this happened to you before, or do you know if it happens from time to time?

Just wanted to drop in and say how grateful I am to have all of you talented humans in my community! I’m proud of all of you who are doing something REALLY HARD - whether that means transitioning into a production cast or working toward becoming a headliner. 🎭✨ Those next steps can feel exciting, challenging, and sometimes even a little scary, but remember: growth happens when we’re willing to put ourselves out there. Keep showing up. Keep learning. Keep asking questions. Keep going. 💪 Have a wonderful Wednesday! And remember, no question is ever too small to ask in our forum. That’s what this community is here for! 🙌

Who else has been feeling discouraged lately? If you’ve been pitching yourself, reaching out to agencies, submitting your act, and wondering, “Why am I not getting booked?” here are the reasons: ✨ The industry is saturated. There are other incredible performers competing for the same opportunities. ✨ Agencies already have acts that are performing very well for them on ships. Sometimes they simply stick with what they know works. ✨They already have a similar act on their roster. Even if your act is amazing, they may not need another performer who fills the same niche. ✨ Their roster is already full. An agency can only represent and sell so many acts effectively. Sometimes they love what you do but simply don’t have room. ✨ They’re looking for a specific demographic, market, or format. Sometimes the need is incredibly specific, and your act just isn’t the fit they need right now. ✨The cruise line or agency has changed its programming. Budgets, itineraries, entertainment strategies, and programming needs can shift without any reflection on the performers being considered. ✨Timing. You might be exactly what they’re looking for… six months from now. ✨They’re filling a very specific vacancy. Sometimes they aren’t looking for “the best act.” They’re looking for a particular act to fill a particular ship, itinerary, demographic, or schedule. ✨They simply haven’t seen you yet. Sometimes it’s not rejection. It’s visibility. ✨They have your same act that is easier to book travel & logistic wise. So if you’re feeling discouraged, go back and read that list again. Notice something? 🚨 None of those reasons have anything to do with YOU 🚨 That doesn’t mean you stop. Keep improving your craft. Keep putting yourself out there. Keep building relationships. Keep knocking on doors. Keep performing your show on land. Don’t mistake a closed door for proof that you don’t belong in the room. Your talent is still your talent, even when the bookings aren’t coming in. I’ve been there, so don’t give up.

You may not believe this, but… DINNER SEATINGS. 😂 Most shows are at 7 & 9 (depending on the ship), and people are VERY passionate about making sure they get a seat at Main Dining. So, somehow, we have to fit 7–8 songs, script work, jokes, heartfelt moments, choreography, audience interaction, and singing our absolute faces off……all into 45 minutes. Easy, right? 😅 There are other reasons for the 45-minute runtime, but this just happens to be the main one. 😂

Our newest member, @Jennifer Cancio has a two-part question for the Cruise Ship Family! 🚢 (welcome :) 1. Is it too late to start reaching out to agencies for a January 2027 contract, and how “show ready” do you really need to be? 2. What are you all doing for charts/chart books for the ship band? Are there more affordable options? Here are my thoughts: For the first question, I would start applying to agencies now, but you definitely want to be show ready with a reel & most of your charts. You’ll need to submit that to the agencies and let them know what shows you have ready! Guest entertainers are being booked pretty far out, some are already booking into late 2027 and even 2028. So I wouldn’t wait too long to start putting yourself out there, but also being truthful about where you're at in the process. They will rarely wait for someone to be show ready! I’d recommend having at least one full show ready and about half of your second show done before applying. The agencies will have you fill out a form and ask about your show readiness, so you want to be able to honestly say you’re ready to go. And on the charts… I FEEL you on this one. 😂 I personally spent about $5,000 on tracks, click tracks and charts on one show, so I know how expensive and scary that investment can be when you don’t even have a gig yet! I do have some resources linked in my Classroom tab that you can reach out to and get pricing from, but I’d love to hear from the Cruise Ship Family: Has anyone gotten their charts done for less? If you have a resource or someone you recommend, drop it below! Let’s help Jenne (and everyone else who’s wondering the same thing) out. ❤️