get my Equity card

I want to try being an equity stage manager.

I’ve wanted to act my entire life and getting my Equity card has always seemed so important and logical. Lately, though, I’ve been wondering if I want to continue doing stage acting; I love it, but there’s not much money in it unless you’re at the top. I realize now that I need to make a living…

I don’t know about it.

I loved acting – I loved performing, I should say. But for me, becoming a union performer was not a good move. Sure I got paid, but the personal cost was great (given extremely personal things that happened at about the same time), and if I could have gone back and done one thing over – that would be it. That contract. BUT – for actors who know what they want to do – who couldn’t ever imagine doing anything else – it’s probably the smartest move you can make. Personally, I can think of a zillion things I’d like to do, and so maybe it was the “acting as permanent career choice” that wasn’t so cool for me. Then again, I did enjoy myself, and it taught me a lot (including some unpleasant things, but they’re useful things nonetheless – like, “some people are like sheep.”) Your mileage may certainly vary, but for me, I’m glad I’m out of that life, as fun and hectic and semi-successful as it was.