1. Employment Profile: What exactly does a n Actress/Waitress do? |
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 What field is your job in?
Performing Arts
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What is your job title?
Actress/Waitress
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Please provide a brief description of the firm or organization that you currently work for
(size and general description of what type of organization it is)
I am a member of Actors Equity Association which is a union that protects actors so that they will be aptly compensated for their acting work. I recently worked for Round House Theatre company which is a large regional theatre that hires actors through a LORTD contract. I also work for a restaurant in which I make most of my money through tips.
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How long have you been employed in this position?
At Round House- for 3 months At restaurant - 2 1/2 years
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How many hours do you work a week on average?
As an actor: (when in rehearsal) 40hrs a week (when in performance) 36 hrs a week, as a waitress: 24hrs a week
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Please provide a BRIEF description of your duties and responsibilities. (job description)
As an actor- I must prepare my script, memorize all my lines, study the character that I am playing, and find a way to tell the story with the collaboration of the directors, designers, and fellow actors. As a waitress- Create an enjoyable dining experience for customers, take order, bring food
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What was your gross income last year? Please include any bonuses or incentives received.
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What is your expected gross income for this year? Please include any bonuses or incentives you expect to receive.
38000
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Please
list any benefits you have (Please include number of weeks vacation,
sick leave and type of health insurance, retirement plan 401k)
I can choose to get health insurance through AEA but, I choose to buy insurance, through my hometown, on my own, b/c the benefits are basically the same, and it is much cheaper, through MD...and carries on to NY
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Do you feel you are under/well/over compensated at your current position?
I feel I am extremely underpaid in the Arts.
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2. Work environment! |
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Does
your job entail you working with others on a daily basis? Is this
something you like/dislike about your job? Explain
Acting- Yes, I am constantly collaborating with the other artists and that is probably the most exciting part of the job. Inspiring and being inspired by your fellow aritists. Waitressing- Yes, I am always communicating with my costumers which, for the most part is a rewarding learning experience. As an actor, waitressing provides a good environment to study human behavior.
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Do you work collaboratively with supervisors/managers?
Yes
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Do you work collaboratively with your co-workers?
Yes
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Describe
your work location (e.g., office, home, theatre, in the field) and what
you like/dislike about working in it
Theatre- My comfort level often depends on which theatre I am working at and what theatre company resides out of that theatre. For the most part is the people that make the job not the theatre. Restaurant- The restaurant I work in is a large, cavernous fine dining environment...and once again its the staff that makes the environment welcoming...and sometimes not so welcoming.
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Please rank in order of importance from 1-8 (1- most important 8- least important) Assign each number once.
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2 Income
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3 Work Environment - co-workers
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4 Work Environment - supervisors
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8 Benefits
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6 Hours
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7 Level of responsibility
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1 The actual "work" you do at your job
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5 Job Title
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3. How should someone new to the workforce get a J-O-B like yours? |
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If someone wanted to go about getting a job similar to yours, what would you recommend for him or her to do?
ACTING- network, network, network. . . see many plays, notice who is performing in them, what company is working on them, who is directing them, and then meet and work with those people. Sometimes, at first for free, labor of love, and then make yourself indispensible. It's a tough tough industry. Waitressing, walk around the neighborhood that you want to wait tables in, dress attractively, and walk into the restaurants and see if they need anyone.
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What
skills do you think a person should have if they want to pursue a
position like yours? Please be specific and explain why (e.g., social
skills, organization skills, technical skills)
Acting - Talent. Should be trained in acting, either through a conservatory or private classes. Regardless of how talented you are, it's important to take class so, that you will have the vocabulary of your fellow artists. Waitressing- Just need to be patient, calm under stressful circumstances, have the ability to adapt to different kinds of people, and sales sense.
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Do you feel that you need a certain level of education or training to be successful in your job?
See above
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What advice would you give to someone who was about to start work in your position/ line of work?
Acting - "Life beats down and crushes the soul, ART reminds you that you have one" -stella adler Honestly, if there is anything you else that you can do, that you would love as much, or almost as much, do it. You have to have an undying passion for theatre, to live as an actor in NYC. Waitressing- this is just supplemental ... not a good life occupation
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