“I Want To Be a Part of It”…Or Do I?
New York…the City That Never Sleeps. The City of Dreams. The City of… Entitlement?
Disclaimer: This article is coming strictly from my own personal experiences. I will always be totally honest and transparent even when it’s a controversial topic.
I have lived in many larger regional areas …Orlando, Atlanta, Indianapolis, and now the Philadelphia area. Initially, when I first started out in theatre and started working with people from New York, I felt like that was the be all end all and I needed to get there as soon as possible. I had basically no money to my name, and somehow felt that living in the big apple was going to be the answer to all my career woes. People always told me that there was never a “right time”, that you just had to get there and make it happen. I figured why not, because the city is alluring and had so many opportunities.
So, I visited NYC… alot. But when I visited, I mainly went to catch up with friends, see Broadway shows, enjoy the culture, eat amazing food, and of course get my fix of cookies at Schmackery’s. I decided to visit for a week strictly to audition…and…I hated it. (womp womp) Being EMC and waking up at 4am to then stand in line, put my name on an unofficial list, and still not be seen to audition by the late afternoon was enough for me to say “I Don’t Think This is For Me.”
The pressure that I often felt early on in my career was that my career and my sense of worth as an actor did not mean anything if I wasn’t pounding the pavement trying to make it happen for myself in New York.
I finally came to realize, how will I ever be comfortable trying to fit in to a city that was never meant for me in the first place?!
Full transparency here - one does not have to be living and auditioning in New York City to be considered a professional. NYC is not the be all end all. Living in another region does not mean one does not take their career seriously. Please hear me out - I have the utmost respect for actors who live and make it work in NYC. The type of grind that it takes to get a stable job that is going to be flexible and supportive enough to not drain all your energy out and still allow you to take off for auditions is difficult to say the least. Not to mention being in rooms with hundreds of other actors just hoping for a chance to even be seen. That takes some amount of guts that is like nothing else. If that is you, I COMMEND YOU AND SEE YOU.
Something that has always bothered me though is when friends and other actors who live in New York tend to look down on those who do not live there. Yes the City is the mecca of theatre, but just because one may not be residing in the NY scene does not make that person any less talented or less of an actor. Just because they work in smaller regional markets does not mean that they don’t have connections in and to the city. I know that making it in the city involves having a tough exterior and owning the fact that you’re doing the thing. If I were doing that, I would be extremely proud of myself as well. I would not however, think less of those who were exploring theatre in other regions of the world.
For those actors who are in high school or college and wondering what your next move is, let me let you in on a secret:
New York is NOT the be all end all. It is very possible to have a blossoming career in other markets in the U.S., not to mention internationally. Actors are working full time in markets like Orlando, Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, Vegas, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Minneapolis, the list goes on and on. What’s more, many of these smaller regional markets have huge tourist industries and are able to employ actors for year-long contracts - giving them job security and a more predictable income and lifestyle.
New York is not for everyone. It is not a one-size-fits-all career move. I know that my personality and needs were not going to fare well living in New York. I would be stressed and very burnt out. I love driving my car, living in peace and quiet, not standing in long lines, and being able to seen at every audition I go to. I will never say never, because you don’t know where life will take you, but it is hard to imagine myself thriving in the typical New York actor lifestyle.
I have never lived or really even auditioned that much in New York. And guess what? I’ve still had some amazing career opportunities. I’ve worked for a major cruise ship, performed in a national tour, and worked in many regional theatres and major theme parks all over the States. And all that came from auditioning outside of New York.
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the city that never sleeps. I love visiting the city. It’s always inspiring and invigorating. I see how it drives and motivates people, I love the culture there, but what I don’t love is theatre companies and other artists in the industry thinking people who don’t live there are lesser-than. Not everyone’s goal is Broadway, and guess what? Even if it is…there are still very much ways of auditioning for Broadway shows that don’t involve having a NY zip code. Living in New York does not mean you are any more or less talented than those who don’t, it just gives you a different zip code.
Everyone has a different career path - what works for one actor may not be another actor’s journey. Because one thrives in New York does not mean that that is the others dream.
Here are some reasons to consider other regions other than New York City:
Less competition in smaller markets
More of a chance to be seen for an open call or appointment, even as a non equity performer
Can work more consistently
Less expensive to live, don’t have to work as many side hustles jobs just to survive
Can gain experience and build your resume in a less competitive market before deciding to move to a bigger market
Can have your own car and means of transportation to go to auditions outside of your immediate area
Want to chat more? E-mail alyssaflowers.nosweatrep@gmail.com today and let’s set up an appointment to talk about your career!
Alyssa
No Sweat Rep Founder