How many are still in the industry?

Are you still in the industry?

  • Yes

    Votes: 51 85.0%

  • No

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Sorta (Casually, has a normal day job but does AV on the side kinda thing)

    Votes: 9 15.0%
  • Total voters
    60
All this reminds me of the classic joke:

A guy works in the circus, following the elephants with a pail and shovel. One day, his brother comes to see him. He says, “Sam, I’ve got great news. I’ve got you a job in my office. You’ll wear a suit and tie, work regular hours, and start at a nice salary. How about it?
Sam says, “What? And give up show business?
 
I'm the odd ball I think. Almost 15 years in to working professionally and live entertainment has always been the best financial as well as personal choice. One day proper engineering may pull me away, but so far so good.
 
gafftapegreenia said:
All this reminds me of the classic joke:

A guy works in the circus, following the elephants with a pail and shovel. One day, his brother comes to see him. He says, “Sam, I’ve got great news. I’ve got you a job in my office. You’ll wear a suit and tie, work regular hours, and start at a nice salary. How about it?
Sam says, “What? And give up show business?
Click to expand...

That's a joke? Change the name to Lorenzo and I can tell you that his costume was red and his elephant was named Emily. Guy quit and came back less than a year later.
 
Started in 1981 running the vaccuum form machine and working as an artisan. General manager now but still get to do a little welding and carpentry every now and then. 37 years and counting.
 
Still in it 6 years after college. Moved away from producing shows with their insane schedules and took a job in a scene shop. Best decision ever. Lets me balance work/life, especially since I've got 2 little kids and another one on the way. Don't know if I'd do it forever. I could see myself in some other industry, as long as I get to make stuff with my hands. My mom showed me a scrap of paper I had scrawled on in 5th grade. It said, "I will never have a desk job." Mostly true. I've got a desk now, but I still get up to rip down sheet goods or nail a flat together, so I think I'm true to my fifth grade self.
 
I work managing a venue (and often times doing much technical work for rentals) and also free lance with a couple of other local companies, and on my own with local HS/Community/Professional Theater. Though my day job is actively in entertainment my primary income is from being the Managing/Technical Director for our Theater, and not actively touring /union work or doing roadshows.
 
edwinfrancis said:
Hey guys!

So I was wondering how many of you on here are still in the industry? Be it corporate AV, theatre or rock n roll kinda stuff. Do you do it full time meaning that it's your bread a butter, or on the side (I know some people who have day jobs but work at night in the arts as directors/actors/designers and some occasionally as techs etc)

I'm curious to see why , I myself am a sorta fresh grad (been in the game professionally for a year and did crewing for a job before and throughout uni) had been contemplating leaving due to personal financial reasons and also cause I felt like I never fit in properly and the hours had gotten to me (the time away from friends/family, consistently missing big life events took a toll on my emotional state). The work-life balance thing was also a big factor. But part of me felt live I've come so far and was lucky to have pretty sweet gigs for a fresh grad so why back out now.
Click to expand...

Yes, I am still with it (over 25 years). I got a 2-year degree in theater, prior to getting my Bachelor's degree in Anthropology (emphasis in archaeology). Now I am more involved than I ever thought that I would be.

Money woes are common in this industry, which is why many consider getting a degree not worth the money.
If the hours don't fit you, there are many different jobs in the entertainment sector that can offer stable hours (working in-house AV or at a rental shop for instance).
 
Got thrown behind a soundboard my freshman year of college and haven't left but have learned more skills and added roles. I run tech for a PAC at a University and even get to teach once in a while. And no, you don't get rich working in higher ed, but it is a steady paycheck with benefits.
 
I got my start in theatre in middle school. Ultimately went to college for theatre production, and have been working in the industry ever since. Worked on cruise ships, worked in regional theatre, worked summer stock, and now I build rock-n-roll shows at TAIT.

It's true, certainly when you work in non-profit, regional theatre, we do it because we love it, not because it is glamorous and pays a lot (because it isn't and it doesn't). Moving to the corporate world of TAIT was certainly a change, but it has been a great experience. Still love what I do!
 
Worked a backstage crew in 10th grade (to spend more time with my girlfriend). Got my BFA in Lighting Design and MFA in Stage Design. Freelanced at various companies and venues for the past 19 years, and have been a full time theatre professor since 2017
 
Well, did that thing where I got out of my actual theatre job and started working for a fabrication shop making props, furniture and set pieces for high end events, trade shows, brand events, auto companies, etc etc.
 
gafftapegreenia said:
Well, did that thing where I got out of my actual theatre job and started working for a fabrication shop making props, furniture and set pieces for high end events, trade shows, brand events, auto companies, etc etc.
Click to expand...
Is there some place in Michigan doing that? Didn't know of anybody around here.
 
Last edited:
gafftapegreenia said:
Well, did that thing where I got out of my actual theatre job and started working for a fabrication shop making props, furniture and set pieces for high end events, trade shows, brand events, auto companies, etc etc.
Click to expand...
@gafftapegreenia AND? How has that worked for you?? Was it the right thing to do or another case of greener grass??? (I did the same and it was DEFINITELY the right thing for me.) [Working in a shop took me to Broadway many times, Offenbach / Frankfurt, Germany three times, London, England once and Berlin twice.]
Toodleoo!
Ron Hebbard
 
RonHebbard said:
@gafftapegreenia AND? How has that worked for you?? Was it the right thing to do or another case of greener grass??? (I did the same and it was DEFINITELY the right thing for me.) [Working in a shop took me to Broadway many times, Offenbach / Frankfurt, Germany three times, London, England once and Berlin twice.]
Toodleoo!
Ron Hebbard
Click to expand...

Its my second experience working at a for-hire fabrication shop. I definitely enjoy working for different clients and getting to go to locations other than the same theatre over and over again.
 
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