My birthday kicks off September every year, making it not only the start of the school year and the un-official end of summer, but also my personal new year- the time I look at what my life is, and decide what I want it to look like moving forward. It’s challenging this fall, as I had a whirlwind, super-way-much-fun summer and now I’m back in Portland after being gone for 3 months and don’t have a show to dive into (though I did have a neat mime gig last weekend!). This time last year I was biding my time, waiting to leave on touring adventures in October. Now I’m contemplating what parts of freelancing are and are not working in my life.
One thing I keep coming back to is: how can I line up jobs while I’m working? Theatre is very fickle, in that I know I missed out on roles because I was out of town (actually doing THE WORK) and therefore wasn’t considered for roles that would have started when I returned. I must admit that I did turn down one gig because the pay to travel costs/time commitment ratio wasn’t working in my favor, I still feel good about that decision. Maybe I’m hoping for too much in this category. I’m attempting to find freelance work that I have more control over, so I don’t have to go through the anxiety of NOT ENOUGH PAY ever again…or at least, not 3-4 times a year.
Soo anyway, this month is one of preparation- prepping for auditions, teaching, getting back into shape physically and vocally, working on my book, trying to find a venue for Millennial Turns 30 in Portland, getting organized in my non-work life, and doing research and feasibility testing for a new business venture (more about that next month, I think!). After the glamour of a trip to Europe, it feels like a bit of a let-down, but I’m not getting down and out about it, or at least I’m not wallowing. I find I can feel okay about my days if I do at least 1 thing that prepares me to reach my goals. Also, I have soo much Netflix to catch up on after my busy summer!
In closing: If anyone has sage advice on the conundrums of freelance life, or wants to hire me for a great gig, let me know! And October, prepare yourself for big things from this kid.