tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542596610865219081.post5417110641031081013..comments2020-04-24T06:55:50.195-07:00Comments on Theater of Ideas: Can one make money in theater? A call for Hanukkah gelt...Theater of Ideashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10124743041051665112noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542596610865219081.post-16109837369673653372008-12-18T16:49:00.000-08:002008-12-18T16:49:00.000-08:00As soon as you started discussing the theme of per...As soon as you started discussing the theme of perseverance, I immediately thought of your work in theater. I have recently come into contact with many old friends from my high school days. In those days, I was very active in music and drama, and most of these old friends were as well.<BR/><BR/>I’ve been surprised at how many of them have actually managed to make money in theater. Most of them do it within the little hidden pockets of the stage. One travels the world as a lighting designer. He does the lighting for both live and static productions. Much of the work involves theme parks in one way or another. Another old friend is in the Art Department of a popular soap opera, and has been working sets there for many years. One friend is a Researcher, and works retrospective TV specials. I’m not sure if that’s what he envisioned when he was attending the Royal Academy of the Dramatic Arts, but he seems to like it and it keeps him going while he tries to find backers for his screenplays. One has been in the arts within academia. He studies and writes music, sustaining his lifestyle through his graduate student stipend and TA income. He’s a gifted composer, but sees little opportunity to make money doing it outside of higher education. <BR/><BR/>My first boyfriend is now a professional opera singer and is musical director for a company that offers live music during the holidays. He’s been doing that for 20 years. Today he’s practicing shot-gunning a can of beer, because he has a gig tomorrow on a comedy show, and they want the musicians to all imbibe before they sing. Life as a performer can be very weird. <BR/><BR/>Then, of course, there’s Joshua Wolf Coleman, who seems to be doing pretty well at keeping his head above water. <BR/><BR/>One old friend even performed on Broadway, which rather amazes me because he also starred in a truly awful teen sex comedy and I was sure that film would put a nail in the coffin of his career. He is the only one who has had kids. He and his wife make their living as restaurateurs.<BR/><BR/>It is you, however, of whom I am proudest. You have achieved so much! I hope that you can persevere, and that you can make money doing it. I understand what you’re saying about it being so much more than a full-time job. That said, it seems that what most people have to do is do something else in addition to their work in the arts. It seems like NY in particular is a place where you’re simply expected to do it for the love of it alone, and it is assumed that you’re all going to starve as you do it. It’s more than I ever had the stomach to take on. <BR/><BR/>You have always seemed to be open to new opportunities, and to molding your career as you go along. I think that will serve you well in the perseverance-department.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com