I can still remember sitting on the floor of AEA asking friends for temp agency recommendations. I just got back into town from a gig, and didn’t want to leave again for a while - which meant, I needed a Survival Job. I went home that night and looked online for a resource out there for actors, and when I couldn’t find one – I created Survival Jobs for Actors.
In 2002 when I first moved to the city I blew through my savings, because I thought I had to be completely available for auditions and didn’t have the capacity for a Survival Job (let alone not having a clue what opportunities were out there.) Yes, in the big audition seasons, you might not have a ton of time for promo or catering work, but when auditions are slow, that’s a great time to work those temp jobs and bank some savings.
What Survival Jobs are ideal for actors?
Temp Work:
Office temp work is great for actors. There are a variety of temp jobs available from stuffing envelopes, to working the front desk of a financial firm. You can work one day gigs, or gigs that last a week. Be completely honest with your temp agent on the schedule you’re looking for and they will translate that to the client. Another benefit of office temp work, is it’s a way to build your business resume in case one day you decide to leave the performing world.
Catering Work:
Catering gigs are great, because most events happen at night or on the weekend. There are positions available from coat check to bartender to waiter.
Promos:
Have you seen people handing out samples of that new brand of water in front of Penn Station? That’s a promo gig. Employers love to use actors for promos, because they’re personable, presentable, and outgoing.
You can register with as many Temp Agencies, Catering or Promo Companies as you want. When I first started looking for temp work, I registered with about 5, but only one called me consistently. If you go in for an interview, ask how they want you to let them know your availability. (Usually a little email on Thursday updating your availability for the next week works well.)
You might have to take the not-so-desirable jobs at first, but shine with professionalism and give them your all – and you’ll eventually be called in for the choice gigs.
Survival Jobs might not be the most glamorous part of our business, but if you put some effort into it, you can find the right job that fits your personality and schedule to fill in the gap between acting gigs.
