Don’t quit your day job!

By Clint Clark

You may have taken voice lessons all your life. Maybe you’ve been performing in community theater and high school musical theater productions for years. But, unless you’re lucky enough to be born to a wealthy and supportive family, there is one thing you will need if you decide to make the big move to the BIG APPLE to pursue your Broadway dreams. A DAY JOB!

Many actors spend years working outside the city before taking the big leap. Some are lucky and talented enough to be able to support themselves solely as performers, lining up job after job.   Those people often receive a big shock when they get to New York and they can’t even get a call back! Without some previous experience or skills, it is often difficult to land a job in the city. Most restaurants require 3-5 years experience to even be considered for a job waiting tables.

If your career path as an entertainer includes going to New York at some point, having experience in some sort of day job will be just as valuable as your ability to hit a high “C” or do a triple turn.

The most common day job is, of course, waiting tables. Get some experience early in your career, maybe at a time when you don’t even need the extra cash.   It might be wise to work for a chain of restaurants which has locations in Manhattan, such as TGIFriday’s, or The Olive Garden.   If you have experience with these companies, it could be easy to transfer.   Always leave these companies in good standing so that you can work for them again.

Waiting tables isn’t the only option for the starving artist. Be creative and entrepreneurial. If you are old enough, you might bartend. If you are extremely well trained, you might get a job teaching dance. If you are an excellent sight reader, you may work as an accompanist for auditions.  If you are interested in physical fitness, you might get certified as a Personal Trainer, Massage Therapist, or Yoga Instructor, or even a work as a pedicab driver.

Whatever day job you decide on, remember:

1. flexibility is important. Auditions are usually held in the morning, but callbacks may be in the afternoon. If you book a gig, that may be in the evening. It’s a difficult balancing act, but
   thousands of struggling actors do it every day.
2. Budget your money. Live within your means. Put any extra money you make back into your “business” by having professionally produced promotional material, updated headshots, and
   taking more lessons.
3. Take advantage of any networking opportunity you can find. Volunteer! It’s free! Attend open mic nights and SING! The more people hear you the more work you will get.   You might be surprised who will hear you. Manhattan is a small island.
4. AUDITION. It’s your primary job! Even thought it doesn’t pay. The more you are see, the more familiar casting directors will become. Once they start to recognize you, they will begin to call you back. The more callbacks you get the more likely you will be to get work.

Even if your plans don’t include a move to “The City,” it would be wise to have a stable source of income to support you as you make your way to the top. It may not be glamorous, but it will be worth it when you’re strutting your stuff on the Red Carpet someday.