Christian Actor Post 6: Dealing With Unemployment

We just moved to a new state for my husband's job, so I am currently in career transition (hard to make a full-time living as an actress in Oklahoma). I just came back from a meeting for job searchers, which I attended to boost my self-esteem and my sense of focus and momentum. It's easy to get down on yourself when you are unemployed, and I saw that feeling written on the face of a man sitting at the next table over. When he talked, you could see him internally battling "the man" who had done him wrong, who was holding out on him and intentionally putting obstacles between him and the job security he so desperately wanted.

It was during today's meeting that I realized how much my acting experiences have helped me face the stress of unemployment. My friend, Virginia, is preparing now for a Broadway role in Men and Boys, in which she will share stage time with Frank Langella. And even she has experienced her fair share of actor's unemployment. She commented one time that actors are uniquely prepared for a situation like our current recession. She pointed out how the Wall Streeters, used to a steady income and the promise of job security, were panicking when the layoffs started happening. But actors? They were thinking, "What changed? Another day of staying positive and looking for work."

So, here are a few tips for those times in between gigs:

1. Know Whose You Are.
Remind yourself that you are God's child, and that your times are in His hands (Psalm 31:15). He hasn't forgotten about you, and this season has an important purpose in itself (Psalm 139:16). A handy question to ask Him is, "What do you want me to learn right now?"

2. Become a Better Actor.
Use this time to hone your craft--take classes, brush up on your monologue, see a show. Or maybe work on your marketing materials (website, business cards) or attend a networking event--you know, the business side of show business.

3. Practice Selective Amnesia.
Give it your all before and during an audition as if this is the only part you will ever audition for. Right after, pat yourself on the back. You just put yourself out there in a way that takes tremendous courage. Next, take advantage of the fact that experience is a very valuable teacher. Switch into student mode and think about what you learned from the experience that you can use next time. And then? Forget the audition ever happened. Move on as if you did not get the part. Seriously, this will help keep you (relatively) sane. Especially when you add in step 4...

4. Treat Yourself Well.
Great advice from Virginia again: If you know you are going to have a stressful audition, plan something right after it that you really will enjoy--go see a movie, visit a friend, whatever gets you happy. This really helps keep things in perspective and acts as a great stress reliever, both during and after the audition.

5. You Are More Than an Actor.
Explore the other facets of your life. It is important as an actor to keep perspective and to stay balanced, and having interests other than acting helps make that possible. For example, I also am a wife, sister, daughter, and friend, and I also like to swim, run, write, take pictures, watch movies and travel. I am an actress...and so much more.


How do you deal with slow times as an actor, or in your chosen profession?