Acting may be a full-time dream, but it rarely starts as a full-time job. While you’re building a career – or even when you’re well into it – you may need a day job to pay the bills.
Actors have always found creative ways to stay afloat between gigs. Some jobs are famously actor-friendly, but others may surprise you. From late-night shifts to self-employed hustles, here’s a rundown of jobs that actually work for actors – and even offer creative crossover in some cases.
Whatever you pursue, “the key is finding something you enjoy, because there are times when you have to do it for ages,” says actor Zoé Goriely. “But don’t enjoy it so much that it is hard to leave!”
1. Front of house at a theatre
Goriely says she likes to look for people-facing jobs, so her personality as an actor is useful. A front-of-house role, such as ushering or working at the box office, keeps you close to the industry. Theatres are also great places to network. Who knows who may be in the audience? You’ll also get to watch shows for free, absorb the craft, and maybe chat with an agent or casting director at the bar! Plus, evening and weekend shifts leave your days free for auditions and self-tapes.
2. Bar, pub, or restaurant work
Waiting tables and pulling pints may not be glamorous, but hospitality shifts offer flexibility, cash tips, and transferable skills such as improvisation and thinking on your feet. And if you work at a restaurant, you’ll probably get a free staff meal too!
Some London bars, such as Soho Theatre Bar, The Room Where It Happens (an all-singing, all-dancing musical theatre bar), and the Phoenix Arts Club are known for hiring actors and other creatives, and they’re likely to be understanding about shift-swapping for auditions. You could also look for casual dining spots that close early if you need your evenings free for shows. “If you’re looking for some pretty quick cash, this is certainly one of the best ways to do it,” says actor Jason Broderick.
3. Sales
It may not be for everyone, but sales can be a great choice if you’re a confident talker and can sell, sell, sell. Companies such as Freddie’s Flowers, HelloFresh, Marro, and KatKin are known for hiring performers to work on street teams, pitching their products to customers face to face. The hours are often short and well paid (commission can be decent too), and shifts are easy to pick up or drop depending on your audition schedule.
Sam Newton, an actor from Birmingham, has worked for several of these companies over the past few years. “It is super flexible,” he says. “You give your availability the week before, you can earn loads of money, and there are loads of other actors who cover each other’s shifts if you get a last-minute audition.”
4. Leading drama workshops
If you’re confident speaking to a group of people (which you probably are, considering you’re an actor) or love the idea of passing on skills, running drama workshops can be a rewarding side job. It pays well and keeps your performance muscles flexed, since you’ll be improvising and interacting with other people.
Many actors work with youth theatres, outreach departments at theatres, and arts organisations. Some also run corporate workshops (think team-building stuff) and immersive experiences in schools. “It is very interesting, rewarding work,” says Newton, who has worked for Voicebox, running workshops on gender equality, and West End in Schools. “Lots of actors do it.… You can teach acting, singing, dance, and physical theatre.”
5. Corporate role play
It sounds niche, but there are plenty of corporate role-play jobs out there, for which actors – especially those with strong improv skills – are ideal candidates. Role-play jobs involve simulating real-world scenarios for training purposes. You could be playing a witness in a police interview, for example, or a patient about to receive a difficult diagnosis from a doctor. The NHS, the police, and the army regularly hire actors for that kind of work. “It can feel quite high stakes” Newton says of his job in military role play. But the stakes were worth it, because “it is easy to get cover from the roster of other actors too.”
6. Children’s entertainment
You could be a clown, a Disney princess, or even a magician (if you have the skills). Children’s entertainment is a great complementary side gig for actors, because it calls on so many of their skills. You’ll need to be able to improvise, stay in character, and have good vocal stamina. You’ll often be playing to a very honest live audience too.
Actor Anna Toogood says she was initially reluctant to get into children’s entertainment out of fear of getting stuck there, but she’s found it some of the most exciting work she’s done outside of regular acting. “I genuinely do feel like I get to perform,” she says. “Planning the sessions also ignites a bit of creativity for me, and seeing their little faces light up during our sessions is so rewarding.”
7. Nannying
Working as a nanny or babysitter can be a brilliant fit for actors. You need to be confident, creative, quick-thinking, and good with people, which is second nature to many performers. If you aspire to work in children’s theatre, this is also an excellent opportunity to gain experience working directly with young people.
Look on sites such as Koru Kids and Bubble to make connections, or even put out an Instagram or Facebook callout saying you’re willing to look after kids. “I find doing something totally different from acting is ideal,” says actor Elizabeth Hammerton. “Being around kids who don’t care about what you’re currently taping for or whether you booked that job is great for keeping your head screwed on.”
“I genuinely think being around children lights up your creativity and imagination,” Toogood says. “I find that it recharges me.”
The bottom line is that day jobs may not be as ideal as acting full time, but they don’t have to suck your soul. They can support, complement, and even inspire your acting career. “I chose this life for variety and constant evolution, and [my side jobs] certainly give me that,” Newton says. Toogood agrees. “In the low points, you have to remember why you are acting in the first place,” she says. “It is such a cliche, but if the faith is strong enough you’ll make it work.”