<p>So, this is getting kind of depressing! Every memoir I have ever read from an actor says something to the effect of “don’t go into this business”. The only thing I know is that when your kid has that passion - there is no way to stop that speeding train. Just get out of the way and allow life to shape - or reshape - the outcome. In the end, I think about my friend who noted that getting a 4-year degree in English or History has little specific job marketing skill - but says so much about the student who completed a 4-year degree and now must maneuver in the world with it.</p>
<p>My wife still is a dues paying AEA member but has not worked in five years. We moved. She took a teaching job. She has auditioned twice in our new town. Its not really something she is actively pursuing, but she has not yet given up the AEA card …yet. Because someday, she may change her mind. Maybe when our daughter starts driving and becomes a bit more independent. Maybe when daughter goes off to college and we are empty nesters. So…she is on the AEA books as an unemployed actor. These are the kind of actors who continue to skew AEA statistics.</p>
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<p>Yet for every story like your wife’s, I bet there are at least 20 actors who get occasional work, and wish to consider themselves professional actors, but chose not to get Equity cards. I know actors in their 60s who have worked on and off their whole lives who fit this category as well as lots of young people. They are all certainly as underemployed as these numbers suggest.</p>
<p>I am another not actively pursuing acting work who still pays AEA and SAG/AFTRA dues and probably skews statistics a bit.</p>
<p>I am fully employed as a professional in the performing arts teaching, acting as an Artistic Director, and directing professionally. </p>
<p>I keep paying union dues because I support the unions and am interested in pursuing the possibility of union work in the future when I have completed my journey to “older female character actor.”. ;-)</p>
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<p>I think you meant SASSY older female character actor!</p>
<p>Went to see a play with my son a couple of years ago. Four actors, all very good, all Equity. One guy teaches at a performing arts high school and since that day my son has seen him in at least four other shows at a couple of other equity companies in the past two years. So this guy is making tenured masters degree scale teaching high school and doing good theater several times a year. He is making a pretty nice living doing what he loves. Not a bad way to live.</p>
<p>Definitely sassy! 
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