What would YOU do?

Ok - this question is not for the 20 somethings out there (no offense to anyone who is lucky enough to be a freshfaced young adult just getting into the business)...but meant more for the 40-something crowd who may or may not be going through (or have already gone through) their mid life crisis...
ahem...
I stopped auditioning a little over 4 years ago and was lucky enough to still get a gig a while later (one of my best and fondest memories, to). I'd been temping on and off between gigs and was offered a permanent position where I'd have the flexibility to audition and leave for occasional theatre gigs - it was perfect. After 9/11, I lost that job and was unemployed for almost a year, went into a heavy depression and got help, picked myself up, dusted myself off, and then started temping again and now am back at another fulltime position which is sucking the soul right out of me. I'm 42, and would like to perform again. I'm wondering how others feel in these circumstances (if there are any of you out there) I didn't got to college and have no real skills to offer the job market, so I'm afraid to just quit this source of income and jump back into auditioning again (especially in a climate that just doesn't seem suitable to my "type" )I'm not a dancer at all, and basically think of myself as a character actor/singer. In the interim, I'm doing a cabaret act (my debut) here in the city in the fall, and hoping that it will calm my need to be performing again...
Thoughts?

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Uh....THANK YOU????? I think.....LOL....

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redhot - I think the answer to your question is written in your post. If your current reality is "sucking the soul right out of you," then there's no reason to continue, as you won't be living life anyway. Follow your bliss, and let reality take care of itself. Joey-Joe seems absolutely dripping with positivity, so the two of you can find a way to make it work.

well, redhot, assuming you're non-equity, there are alot of great regional companies to join, where you could be part of a company.

In this town, unless you're VERY attractive and/or talented, you MUST have contacts to get ahead...

It sounds like you're doing your own thing and that's great i think--it's a way to make yourself a commodity, like a Leguizamo or Tracey Ullman (both unconventional talents)

Plus, theatres are always looking for older actors! They're the only ones who really know what they're doing!

KMF...I told him we will buy thickets as soon as they go on sale. I think we can get most of the "adult" thread to go. We will back him totally !!!

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As soon as he makes his west coast debut at the Cinegrill, we'll be there - with lots of friends

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< THATS ME
(well, it was before I changed my icon again!LOL)

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Updated On: 9/8/04 at 04:05 PM

YES you all are making me cry now and I can't afford to be all wet at work!LOL...I most definitely appreciate all the support and encouraging words - honestly!
but all I was wondering was if there were others out there who felt the same way - and It looks as though I am not alone...
We ARE talented, damnit!

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Well - just so you all know now - I will be posting the performance dates and info for my show when the time draws nearer (November is the debut month)..and I will love having the support of this board...that will make all the difference!
Thank You all!

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red (you're adorable by the way!!), I know exactly how you feel. I've recently started singing again for fun (not profit) and have people telling me I should be singing on Broadway, etc., blah blah blah. I'm feeling like maybe I could be a character player now that I've gotten to 40 (okay, beyond, whatever), there aren't that many in our age range willing to do smaller roles, but I just a few months ago got the desk job of any admin ass't's dreams, and how crazy would I be to give up the security now? Sound familiar?

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I'm all wet at work.

But that's a completely different kind of wet.

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(laughing) robbiej - I don't even WANT to know what you do for a living...LOl...
Rath - yes it sounds very familiar. I got used to the security of a weekly paycheck and finally have a nicer apartment and a man to share it with...I feel like I can't just walk away from the job and suddently be a "struggling" actor again, and I don't have connections or adonis looks on my side (ok, maybe I'm cute-ish...but no leading man)...the shows being produced out there just don't seem right for me (with the exception of Spamalot - that sounds like something I could do...as I've played brits most of my life and can do the bearded shakespearean thing fairly easily)... ah well - to quote the little boy in The Ring -
"It's a conundrum"

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one man's faucet is another man's ... well, never mind

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