If you’re an early career stage manager thinking of making the move to NYC, there are a few important financial decisions to make before taking the leap. Some questions to consider: Are your student loans paid off? What is your max rent budget? Have you budgeted for additional expenses? Do you have enough savings to…
I don’t know if I’ve mentioned this much lately, but this weekend I’ll be speaking on a financial panel at the Broadway Stage Management Symposium and I’m pretty excited. While there are stage managers of all ages and from all walks of life there, a lot of attendees are also college students and recent grads.…
You know we’re all about frugal ways over here at brokeGIRLrich, but there are a few things that provide so much value, they’re worth saving up for and splurging on. If you’re a student or early career stage manager with Broadway aspirations, the Broadway Stage Management Symposium is a really amazing weekend crammed with educational lectures,…
I just saw a post for a gig all over the SM Facebook boards that looked super intriguing to me. The show is called “The Hurricane” and it’s a devised, experimental piece. I love these kinds of shows, guys. They are literally my favorite. My entire Master’s degree study revolved around them. Then I saw…
Maybe I’m alone in this opinion, but I think short-term regional contracts are, by far, the loneliest of contracts to take. If you move to a new area, you build a new life, make new friends, join clubs, etc. If you go on tour, everyone is in the same boat and the people you’re on…
I feel a lot of stage managers are Type A folks. I know I am. I have a strong desire to go-go-go and I really like structure. Even at the end of a contract or gig where I feel totally burnt out – totally burnt out lasts approximately one to two weeks for me before…
Finding the right gift for your favorite theatre nerd – or a co-working fellow nerd – can seem like a struggle sometimes. I mean, we’re barely making much in the arts anyway. As someone who has been receiving “theatre” themed gifts for 15 years – I’d still be happy to receive any of these. So…
I am fairly introverted. I think a lot of folks who are drawn to blogging are. And as I consider my departure for my current job, I’ve kind of been amazed at my network and spent a little bit of time pondering the art of networking too. Networking freaks me the heck out. For instance,…
About three years ago, I wrote a post about what it feels like to get used to the idea that income fluctuates crazily when you’re a stage manager. I’ve been feeling that again as I think about leaving my current job. Over the summer, I wrote a post celebrating 10 years since I started ships,…
It’s that wonderful time of year again where I question what has possessed me to pick this occupation. Today I almost quit. Like – almost walked off the job quit. The amount of stress caused by stage managing is just the most ridiculous thing. Why do we even do this? Tonight was our first performance…
Please note this is a sponsored post and I will be compensated if you click any links. However, the opinions are my own and I have bought my own Russian Rosetta Stone to supply these opinions. Let me tell you the story of a 23 year old woman trying to get a bunch of older Filipino men…
For the last several years, my annual goals list has included adding two resume skills. I got this idea after reading “I am my biggest asset” over and over again on career related blogs, but it’s kind of true. It’s funny how long I overlooked that investing in myself often has some pretty big returns,…
I’ve talked a lot about how nice it is to not always be broke anymore, but that’s also extended into some of my work options too. While I’m still all about getting the best deals possible, there are some splurges that are part of my work supplies now that definitely weren’t at the beginning of…
I’ve toured several different ways. I’ve lived on boats and trains that were like a little apartment that stays with you the whole time you’re on tour. I’ve done week long sit downs in hotels, which also gives you a little of the home feeling. But I’ve also done van and box truck tours and…
Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about what I want to do when I don’t work out on the road anymore. For years my plan was to go back to school, get a doctorate and become a professor. I’ve applied to doctoral programs three different times since I finished undergrad and I haven’t gotten into…
Guys, do you know what I was doing 10 years ago today? I was embarking a cruise ship for the first time. I was reminded of this because we’re having some growing pains out here at the circus and trying to figure out more effective ways to orient new people and get them the proper…
Arts degrees have a little stigma to them. I mean, I wrote a whole post years ago about why a theatre degree isn’t useless. Today, I’m going to tell you about how a theatre degree (or music) actually gives you an incredible savings edge. Some of the best jobs that totally cover room and board…
In the arts, we talk a lot about how miserable the pay is out here but often justify it with following our dreams, how expensive it is to make art so of course there’s not much left for salaries, how difficult fund raising is… etc., etc., etc. The vast majority of time I’m on the…
Image Credit: Pexels Since stage management is such a tough gig to get, it is always worth having a couple of back up plans to get further opportunities during your down seasons. This means that knowing what your transferable skills are is a must for applying for other jobs or putting your CV about. Many…
Now that I’m actually a little settled into my job and no longer running around like a chicken with my head cut off (most days), here’s a look at what my three most common types of days look like. And if you’re wondering about the type of skills that led me to this jobs –…
This has easily been the weirdest year of my stage management career. There are a lot of moments when I’m walking around the circus wondering “how did I get here?” If you’re thinking of a career in stage management, you should be aware it’s really not a linear pursuit. It’s kind of like buying a…
One of my favorite things about blogging has been the freedom to combine two things I love – stage managing and personal finance. Some of my favorite posts to write have been where these two topics meet. I also appreciate that you all allow me to just rant about my job something – and every…
“What have you failed at this week?” – Sara Blakely Check out this quick and amazing video that helped me redefine failure: I love the idea that the only way to really fail is to not even try. When friends or family try to do something that seems crazy to me and it doesn’t work,…
Last night, as I stumbled back to my home fairly exhausted from my 18 hour work day, I was thinking a little bit about a friend who did not land the gig he wanted on the show I’m working on. We’ve known each other for years, and I feel that we’re both pretty good at…
Let me lay a few cards on the table here. I don’t think Actors’ Equity is a good union. I say this from the standpoint of someone who has turned down three different jobs that would’ve allowed her to join – not as someone who hasn’t been able to get in. That being said, a…