Her questions are great and ones that all of us struggle with during our lifetimes as artists. I have never waited tables, and after working in retail and administrative positions, I finally found a balance that works well for my lifestyle and which leaves me very flexible for my primary focus: acting.
I'm an independent contractor. My schedule changes daily, and the work I do is varied. The upside is my time is my own; the downside is . . . my time is my own. When you have a regular schedule, it automatically regiments your life and you know where you are and when you’re supposed to be there, every day. With contracting work, organization is key. I’ve got my cell phone, PDA, two email addresses, website, and a filing system that works.
Here are my seven flavors of employment. First, I’ll list the different kinds of jobs I have, and then some tips for crafting your own business.
Business Manager – I found an executive of a training company who needed someone part-time to help her in the office. I work five-six days a month and the schedule is totally flexible around my acting commitments. This is my bread and butter. By working just a few days in the business world every month, I’m making almost half of what I did working full-time in Chicago. It’s also great because the executive is my Mom whom I adore.
Tip – In this economy, businesses hire consultants for short-term projects and one-off appointments. How can you sell your skills for a position that’s less than five days a week?
Actor – It’s not much, but every bit counts. We all make the decision at some point to not work for free anymore. Unless, of course, I’m offered a fantastic role, with an amazing script, a super-talented director, and a phenomenal cast. This has happened only once in six years. I keep detailed accounts of all tax-deductible expenses too.
Tip – Make it worth your time. Do you need to do six shows in a row with the same company or director? What kind of work, companies, roles will make you happy? Go for it.
Coach – Once started as a business to fund my own acting and vocal training, has now bloomed into private coaching and three classes: Professional Performer, Audition Technique, and Monologues! I love teaching – it’s absolutely thrilling.
Tip – Find your niche. What makes you different from the competition? Sure there’s lots of acting coaches around, so I approached my business from the point of view as a positive, young, non-union, working actor. It's so funny, most of the people I work with tell me that they're not used to feeling so great about their work and having an "I can do it" attitude when they walk out the door. Hoorah!
Organizational Consultant – I’m naturally organized, I’ve read books and articles about organizing, and I have a talent for looking at any room or office and coming up with solutions for clearing the clutter and setting up workable systems. This kind of consultation is something a lot of people need in their homes and offices.
Tip – Apply your skills creatively. I gathered my skills from all those administrative years in which I wrote handbooks and set up filing systems and applied them to personal space.
Corporate Speech & Keynote Coaching – Can you believe there are people who aren’t comfortable getting in front of a bunch of strangers and talking? It’s true. I coach executives for upcoming speaking engagements on vocal production and diction, and infusing their presentations with their natural humor and personality. Audiences are surprised by the lack of “talk at” and enjoy a more conversational experience.
Tip – Use your knowledge creatively. I use my education from all those classes in acting, voice, and speech and took them off the stage and onto the podium.
Standardized Patient – A few years ago I started working for the Standardized Patient Program at Stanford University’s Medical School. Actors play conditions for medical students. This kind of work incorporates training, feedback, acting and improv. It’s an incredible exercise and a wonderful service to our future doctors. Right now, I’ve got an ongoing case at U.C.S.F.
Tip – Where else can you act? In addition to playing patients, I also work trade shows and live industrials. The business world needs people who can learn technical text and deliver it the same way every time. Sometimes all they need is an outgoing friendly person to greet guests or hold a microphone.
Home Technician – And in my spare time, I’m managing the household. That way, I can spend my weekends with my loved ones rather than running errands.
Tip - We live in the Bay Area because we love it. Sit down and make a real-time, detailed budget. How much money do you really need to make? What’s important to you personally? How can you balance the two? When you do this, you not only have a career, you have a life.
Other Tips-
Trade services - My webmaster Frederik Goris and I exchange services. He designed my website and I organized his office. My friend and actress, Shelley Johnson, coached me for musical auditions and I coached her on audition pieces. We both got called back and cast.
Get a coach - This person can be a life coach, acting coach, voice coach, or business coach. Book one hour. Get out of your own head and get an outsider’s perspective.
Finally, if you want another job start telling everyone you know. Once you share your plans with the world, things always start happening.
Break a leg in all your endeavors!