What do you do when your industry turns off? What do you do when your identity is questioned? Let's address the elephant in the room, all that we've dealt with the last six months and how to take any sort of step further without crumbling under the pressure of the world. This is the first half of two posts - the second will be more focused on tools, programs and any other resources I've compiled from other actors to assist you.
A little background: I've been an actress in NYC for four years now. In those four years between performance contracts, I've worked as a server, temp, front desk at a boxing studio, front desk at a yoga studio, babysitter, live-in nanny and probably a couple other odd jobs that I can't remember at the moment.
To the normal muggles who graduate college, take on a 9-5 and stay there until they get promoted, this constant bouncing around, gig industry lifestyle can seem odd, intense and at times, irresponsible?? Don't deny it - we've all encountered that person that does not understand the gig industry therefore assumes it means we are irresponsibly floating through life without a real job. (It's out of ignorance, don't let it bother you).
Enter the Covid Pandemic. On March 16th, the show I was supposed to perform all summer gets postponed - I slowly begin to watch auditions dwindle out, the emails from my agent down to a couple every two months or so. July 31 - Pandemic assistance runs out and my side jobs are still closed while the theatre industry is closed, at this point let's admit it, indefinitely.
I don't write all this to scare anyone or remind you on your gorgeous sunny day of all the bs artists are dealing with currently, quite the opposite actually, I write this to hopefully help someone somewhere into taking the leap, soul searching and realizing just how transferrable our skills are as artists and why any corporation, business or industry would be LUCKY to have you.
It took me awhile to get to the place of even wanting to search. I was angry. I'm still angry. Why do I have to search for something else? I've worked my entire life for this career. I went back and forth for weeks, even months. I finally came to realize that life is about finding opportunities to forge your own path. After some of the anger subsided, I made the decision to turn this time into an opportunity to not only change my path, but learn more about myself on a new journey and maybe discover something amazing.
When I first began the soul search of what the hell I'm going to do while theatre is on hold, of course I turned to the internet. I was surprised to discover NOTHING. I figured there were artists out there who had at least started a Reddit thread on how to even begin the transition, what to do when you majored in theatre but were looking elsewhere, anything...but nope. I don't know if I was just looking in the wrong areas and would LOVE to be corrected (please let me know of any resources you know of for artists so I can share) but in my head, it was because I have noticed transitioning away from your passion as a career is always accompanied by so much shame. Once a full time artist decides to try something else besides their art, they feel as though they've failed. (even when it's because of a pandemic and even if it's a temporary decision).
Once a full time artist decides to try something else besides their art, they feel as though they have failed - regardless if it is caused by a pandemic or simply a temporary desire for change.
I can't completely take away the shame which, believe me I understand, but I can help or at least tell you that you are not alone. This is something that happens often and will happen even more now that theatre is on hold for a while longer. Think of it as a sabbatical. Think of it as an adventure. Think of it as a new role. I promise you - you are not failing, you are choosing success by choosing to pursue on!!
So without further ado, I want to start off by saying...
#1 THE SHAME HAS G2G
This one is hard for me to write because this is still something I am working through. Firstly, this is your one life, spend it doing or trying as many things as you dream about. Second, it's impossible for humans to not care what other humans think of us, it is in our biological nature, so let's just accept that we will always sometime just a little bit care what other people think of us. Instead of dwelling on it, we need to focus on caring MORE about what WE think of OURSELVES.
I have a good idea of where maybe 65% of this shame comes from: theatre school. There is this strange unspoken competition of who is going to be "successful" (whatever that means) post theatre school. This competition is fueled by an industry that loves to mirror the starving artist aesthetic, the "you must do theatre and only theatre" aesthetic, the "work three jobs but drop everything when you book but pay your bills but always be an artist who can also work for free and never have any attachments" aesthetic...too many words? Good. It's supposed to be confusing. I see my colleagues drive themselves crazy trying to live up to this gross standard then feel shame the minute they question it. I can't tell you people won't judge you, unfortunately shitty people exist, but please know that anyone who lives this life and knows the love and heartache it takes, will NEVER shame ANYONE who wants to seek passion or fulfillment elsewhere especially in the middle of a pandemic.
If anything needs to change post-lockdown, it's the way this industry teaches young artists. We are each other's allies out there and each other's support system. Though competition exists, use it as fuel for inspiration not an excuse to shame each other into never trying anything new or taking a new route on your personal journey.
#2 LinkedIn is your friend but so are your actual friends...give them a call!
Build your LinkedIn like it's your actor website. Create, nurture and update it, sure, but also remember that you have a huge network of artists, directors, theatre administrative staff, friends of friends, theatre patrons etc that you can reach out to. We are all feeling the effects of this hard time and when I initially reached out to someone that I went to high school with 8 years ago who is working in a field I'm interested in, I was met with nothing but kindness and support. Even a simple response of, "I'll pass along your information" or "Let me answer any questions you have of how I got started" not only takes off some of the pressure but alerts others to your desire for work! The energy you put out into the universe is what the universe will send back. My dear friend was even kind enough to send me a sample email of what she would send to someone working in a position she was interested in. It's a great way to alert someone in the industry that you exist as well as learn how to achieve what you're looking for. You'll be surprised by how many people want to help. My partner got his first job in the US through a connection he made with a family cruising with Disney way back when we were on the ship. These things happen. Connecting with people is everything and lucky you, artist-human, you're good at it naturally!!!
#3 Format your resume to show creativity
Maybe I'm weird but I enjoy formatting documents, picking fonts, organizing my data in an efficiently readable format, so this was a fun task for me to tackle. I was lucky enough to have friends who sent me their resumes as guides as well as any advice they had on how to highlight my skills as a performer as transferrable to other industries. Let's think about all the work you put in as an actor:
memorizing not only your track but any understudy roles all while being able to go on at a moment's notice
working in a collaborative team environment surrounded by different skills and personalities
flexibility and ability to take a note or critique and apply it within minutes
compartmentalizing all the other job duties you maintain outside of auditioning and performing to focus on each task 100%
networking, socializing, creating social media content, constantly learning by taking classes, lessons and maintaining an ambition for personal development
Learning new songs, dances, staging in the span of an hour and expected to be performance ready at the end of rehearsal, go home and rehearse on your own time, potentially change everything the next day and start the cycle again
Those are just a SAMPLE of all of the many things artists are capable of. The list goes on and on. Realize just how transferrable your skills are to any industry and how much work we are capable of. These are the things to highlight on your short little one page resume. These are the things that should make you proud to be an artist.
#4 Remember the things you liked to do before step ball changing
I began this soul search a few months ago. I dug around mentally into my childhood memories to see what I could remember before theatre became my life. I had been dancing since I was three and made the decision to pursue theatre pretty early into high school, a story I'm sure so many others share. Once that decision is made, that becomes your sole focus! My goal these past couple months was to figure out who I was without theatre or at least what other things I enjoy/am good at besides singing and dancing. Identity crisis I know. Growing up thinking you're one thing for your whole life and then picking something else. I did find it interesting how we actually do tend to gravitate to more than one passion or at least string our passion through other skills. Once theatre became my career, I picked up other interests and hobbies so what were those and how could I incorporate those skills into my life now too? Not only did meditating on who I was before theatre give me more insight into who I am now but it helped me nurse the wound that I was somehow giving up or selling out. Once I was able to make a list and see how many careers and industries are really out there, it is easier to narrow down your point of focus until you can really efficiently begin your application journey.
#5 There are people whose full time job is formatting resumes & career coaching
I am a part of an Artist Facebook group which provides resources to artists - anywhere from sublets, music recommendations, anything the community needs support in. I posed my question of transitioning there and was overwhelmed with the response! I met quite a few people whose either full time career or side hustle consists of exactly this kind of work - helping artists transition, format resumes and coach them into a new career. All this to say there are many people out there who excel at coaching artists through this sort of thing. If you are sick of asking friends or colleagues for advice or going at it alone, it might be worth partnering with some of these companies who strategize with artists on how to make the leap into a new career, highlight the transferability of their skills and show their creativity! I am in the midst of compiling a list of these resources and will write a follow up post with them all listed.
#6 Cover Letter & Letter of Reference
My cover letter is my new bff. It not only gives the employer a chance to get to know you past what your resume lists but it is also your chance to explain all of the work that you've done, really sell your transferrable skills as an artist and show how you would be an amazing asset to their business. It's basically a 32 bar cut opposed to the 8 bar cut that is your resume. Ideally one intro paragraph, 1-2 body paragraphs and a quick closing - again, only one page. I change up the wording depending on the job I am applying for but the gist of it generally stays the same. Really use this as a way to show your creativity, professionalism and personality! People like to hire people not robots. Your unique background could be exactly what they are looking to add to their team so don't discount it.
#7 Draw the line of your worth
Remember that you are a professional. Your career is not a glorified hobby. You have put in so much work for this career whether it be two years or sixteen years - do not belittle your work or feel small for starting again. You are deserving of the next amazing opportunity and you will find it. Do not settle for a job that you hate or that won't fulfill you because you think that you do not deserve to work with passion and excitement everyday. You will find it. Focus on the next task you can accomplish to get you where you want to be, not the big picture just yet, simply the exact next opportunity or moment. Whether it be sending that email, updating your LinkedIN or resume or prepping for the interview, focus on the exact next step. Anxiety comes from the fear of not being able to control your big picture. If you focus on the small things you can do everyday to push your journey along, you will find your way on your own path.
#8 You know how good you are at selling yourself in a dance call? Yeah.
You take a breath, walk into the room holding your rep book, place it on the piano, explain your piece to the pianist, sing your song to the table, say thank you and walk out. Two weeks later you either sweat it out in a dance callback or book it. That's it. The interview process for theatre. Okay so now that you remember how those go, think about interviews for other careers where they ask you about yourself, about your experience, you have time to ask questions, explain your skills...sounds easier than a less than 2 minute turnaround time right? Of course any interview will cause stress but remember that you "interviewed" sometimes 5 times a week. Putting yourself out there is what actors do. Whatever you think is scary about the big bad recruiter or manager you'll be meeting with, just remember they can't be any scarier than a room full of broadway executives and sweaty, ripped, fully beat, fan kicking show girls in a dance call at 10am in Pearl studios.
#9 Know that you will ALWAYS be an artist - it's in your blood
Your singing voice or dancing feet will not disappear at midnight like Cinderella's dress and carriage the minute you decide to try something else. You will always be able to create, sing, dance and daydream. You are art! Just because you will not be pounding the pavement to Pearl Studios everyday as we all have in the past, does not make you any less of an artist. Make space in your day and your heart to practice your art...it is what is keeping you alive! By nature as artists we will bring our creative energy into anything we do so know that wherever your path is taking you, whatever career you pursue, whether it be temporary until theatre resumes or you find complete passion in something new forever, know that you are making art everyday simply by being you.
Alright so shocker I'm sure but, I am truly no expert on this. I am still navigating this transition too, even if it is temporary, but I want to start this conversation. Reach out to me if you have anything else to add, anything I severely messed up or if you just want to chat more about it.
I'm going to list some resources that I discovered while doing this work myself. I truly want to help other artists through this time and hope this did at least a little. Please reach out with questions, comments or anything you think I should add!
Google doc link to basic resume template:
Books & podcasts to check out:
xoxo
Mags
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