Let’s Talk About a Stage Manager’s Unpredictable Earnings
Do you ever wonder what a career in the arts is like? Specifically, a stage manager’s career? It’s not your usual 9 to 5 job with a steady income and predictable raises. It’s an unpredictable journey, much like a roller coaster of its own.
Remember the days when I first began stage managing in college; a professor warned me about the complexity of the journey. Unlike most careers, it’s not a step by step process. From the moment I first stepped on stage as a manager, not an assistant, I was in charge and that didn’t change much throughout my career. The unusual part? The pay doesn’t exactly correlate with your experience or time.
Take my journey for instance; I started with a low paying gig ($500/month) and moved to a slightly better one ($2700/month). Then came a job with excessive work hours but very little sense of fulfillment ($2800/month), followed by a job I didn’t enjoy even though it paid well ($4000/month). Now, I’m at a place that I like, but it offers too many time offs ($3600/month) – all pre-tax, of course.
So, as you can see, my earnings have been as unpredictable as my career path. While others may talk about their raises, I’ve realized it doesn’t concern me. I’ve also accepted the fact that my next gig could pay less than minimum wage despite my growing expertise and enhanced resume.
It wasn’t until recently that I started taking a serious look at my finances. As a young, naive stage manager, I didn’t care much about finances. My paycheck went towards basic necessities like rent or debt, and I’d spend or save the rest.
But priorities change as you grow older. Now, with goals like saving for retirement, buying a home, or even getting a new car, I’ve become more aware of the crazy fluctuations in my income.
For example, last week, I made a post about how thrilled I was to have some extra bucks. It was ironic considering I spent the entire summer worrying about my bills and savings. The week I posted, I was barely earning and had to resort to substitute teaching. However, I couldn’t get as much work as I hoped. Those healthy teachers just won’t take a day off!
Another intriguing element – my financial journey has been marked by distinctive seasons. The Frugal Season. The Debt Season. The Mastering Budgeting Season. Right now, it feels like I’m in the Roller Coaster Season. So brace yourselves, as I plan to share more about this wild journey.
By the way, what financial season are you in? I’d love to know your stories too.