How I made a living between theatre gigs in Chicago with survival jobs

My path to a Broadway stage and salary was littered with survival jobs. So many survival jobs, that I had to think hard about all that I've done to pay the bills while I lived and worked in Chicago.
Survival jobs are almost a necessity for the every day actor while that actor works their way up the food chain. My journey was no exception.
If you're looking into getting into this profession and you have no idea how to get a survival job, juggle the job, and manage getting others to tide you over while you hop from theatre gig to theatre gig, here's a play by play of what worked for me.
32 BAR CUT is my offering to the Broadway/ Theatre community while everything goes dark during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Be blessed!
---------- Here's the link to give at The Actors Fund. ------------
secure2.convio.net/afa/site/D...
No donation is too big, and most certainly no donation is too small. Every little bit helps to support artists and arts workers in the community.
Thank you for watching! Please subscribe.
Find me here:
www.adriennemwalker.com
www.32barcut.com
IG : @asongisinmyheart
IG : @32barcut
#actorjobs #survivaljobs #actorlife

[@marcelworrellmiller]

Yes, yes, and yes! You kept it real and people need to hear the real. A lot of people just think about the glamour of our industry. We really do work our butts off.

[@32BARCUT]

Yes!!

[@madelinebrennan9636]

background work is very flexible and gives you some on set experience. substitute teaching too. and finally, babysitting, especially for those in the industry who get it!! lol!

[@tonemusicchannel3938]

Thank you so much for your insights. Non artistic people have the tendencies to advice on "normal" jobs, which almost made me forget what I truly want, which is exactly what you said: working as an actor! You're so inspirational!

[@32BARCUT]

Thank you so much! 💗💗

[@jacquelinealaine]

You put 👏🏾 in 👏🏾 work !! Hungry!! Thanks for the inspo ☺️

[@32BARCUT]

Yes ma’am!

[@jaredadrian_]

As an aspiring performer in college, I love your videos and this channel as a whole. You and Austin are both really giving golden advice and it feels great to learn what to expect when I step out into the industry. I would love to have insight into what it was like paying off student loans, if you had any, as a performer staring out. Especially since you accomplished receiving your master's degree. I'm going to have loans coming out of college as I couldn't afford to pay my way through school myself and would love to know what to expect with that.

[@32BARCUT]

Student loans, ugh. We have managed pay most of ours off. The key is to stay in communication with your lender and stay consistent on payments, even if it is a very small amount. Sometimes, you can qualify for payment deferrals, but you will only know your options if you communicate with your lender. You do not want to go MIA, because it will negatively affect your credit. You will need good credit to accomplish your goals in the future. Student loans are the worst. We understand your pain.

[@TishFergusonBeauty]

I just love this whole series! We need info like this for all industries. Thank you for sharing your information that’s going to help someone chase their dreams!

[@32BARCUT]

Thank you for watching Tish!

[@dickginkowski6071]

As a patron (and someone who maybe would like to have done this 50 years ago) I appreciate your sharing this for others. I think some people have elevated views that are not realistic. We in the theater audience appreciate what you go through to do what you do. Hugs.

[@tianamwilliams]

Thank you for this! Videos like these help put us young artists and our visions in perspective, these visions cost money lol

[@32BARCUT]

Ha! Yes. Money, money, and more money. But I think what I had to spend the most on was my patience. It takes time to get where you want to be too! Thanks for watching!

[@NicholasSidoran]

Thank you for sharing your story! Youuuu are the best ❤️

[@32BARCUT]

💗🙏🏾💗

[@user-jy8ue8rv5c]

Thank you

[@sandra38040]

Hi, thanks for the video, a lot of valuable information. My daughter graduated from the UK Performing Arts University, but she is first and foremost a singer and currently works 2 or 3 jobs to survive because in addition to living expenses, she also needs to pay for dance lessons, etc. in order to develop in her profession. The most difficult thing is to find a good agency at the beginning, because all the better agencies take mostly performers with experience. Your channel is a revelation to us..thanks for all the information, advice and selfless effort.

[@AaronRaglandTV]

Thank you very much for this video and it's great to see a successful actress such as yourself. I'm an actor who has recruiting experience. With recruiting, I was fortunate to find a RPO company in 2014 that was flexible at one time. After working for over a year with the company, I fell victim to the changing needs of the business and found myself putting the 9-5 before acting because former coworkers got other jobs and more work was piled onto current employees. I don't know if you told an employer during the interview specifically that you're an actor? With my knowledge of recruiting, there are flexible jobs (like grocery stores, some restaurant jobs, etc.) that don't mind if you're very up front during the interview. I also don't know if you've ever ran into this yourself and just got lucky? In other situations and no matter what, I stopped mentioning acting during interviews and wait around a couple months or so to say something after getting a job. I believe in being honest, but I also know the interview is the time to sell yourself showing without question that you're the best fit for the particular job. In some employers' minds, they may think, "Wait, if this person really wants to be an actor, why would I want to invest my time and resources (background check, possible benefits, etc.) hiring when I could hire the next person who has a passion for this specific industry and a proven work history/track record to back it up?" At this point, I'm on the fence of looking at recruiting (steady/nice income; can be flexible) or just going for absolute certainty with a flexible job and earning potential (restaurant job, real estate, etc), but it will be figured out. Excuse the paragraphs lol. And once more, great to see you have a platform and you've been successful in my hometown.

[@32BARCUT]

Hi! Firstly, I commend you on trying to make it work. It is SO tough to juggle a 9-5 and pursue a career in acting. I understand it well and it is not for the faint of heart. I eventually started disclosing everything in my interviews. I told them I was an actor and that I needed a flexible schedule. I was clear that I wanted to work there and was passionate about that job otherwise I wouldn’t have put in an application, but my main goal is and will always be acting. It was my experience that they appreciated the honesty and were not caught off guard when acting did indeed get in the way. They were actually happy for me and worked through scheduling issues with me. Thank you for your patience, I am catching up on a ton of comments and I just appreciate you watching our videos and I’m so glad to hear that they were helpful in any way. Best wishes to you! Oh and I NEVER had a steady income or comfortable income until I switched to being a full time actor. All of my “survival” jobs barely paid the rent. So you just have to weigh the options and decide what is most important to you and it’s okay if that changes and shifts as you change and shift. 🫶🏾

[@AaronRaglandTV]

@@32BARCUT Appreciate the response. I hear what you're saying. There are companies and jobs that are okay with you being an actor and can be flexible, but I truly choose to keep acting to myself. Businesses and companies (vast majority in my experience) don't care for or care about you being an actor and that's truly the last thing some companies want to hear. Again, some companies are understanding while others want to find the best of the best in a candidate who truly has longevity in the company and not outside. I understand what you're saying though. Your experience is your experience and gotta do what's comfortable for you. I'm absolutely getting older and will be making some life/career decisions mos def.