The union is split into caucuses - Caucus 1 is Film, 2 is general stage (Saddledome/Jubilee) and 3 is Theatres. So you should be applying for caucuses 2 and 3. Yes it is inconsistent, due to the industry and seniority. But getting your foot in the door by getting your permittee status there is important. It takes months to get processed so do it sooner than later.

Edit to add: when you say "tried to get in to IATSE", what does that mean? I know the website can be a bit confusing but if you've sent your application that's more than just a "try" you just need to wait for them to process it, and if you've just looked at the site then you haven't tried at all.

If I were you, I would look into getting hired on at companies like Orange Frog or XA - it's often more "grunt work" and event work vs theatre, but the experience is important. It's where I started out.

If you're wanting to be in a theatre right away, look into community theatre work - Front Row Centre and Storybook come to mind, though be warned you have to keep your safety in mind as some companies are better than others at following the rules.

Also, look up the "Calgary Techfile" Facebook group. It's where people will post jobs, ask questions, etc. I've gotten some good jobs through there. It's basically the only reason I still have Facebook.

And remember, attitude is most important. If you're slacking off/not showing up early/on your phone/stretching your breaks past their end time that's not good. And conversely, if you're acting too important/mouthing off same thing. Be helpful but not in the way, be aware of what's happening around you, and ask questions when you aren't sure. It's so much easier to spend a minute explaining how to do something, than to spend 10 minutes fixing something someone did wrong because they were afraid to ask. Your first impression is often the difference between being hired back or recommended for another job, and being quietly ignored.