An idea for actor flex-time

There are two sides of the coin to living the actors’ life, with no “day job.”  On one side, there is no stability. On the other hand, there is extreme flexibility in the use of time.

So here’s an idea:

You’ve heard it before, but it’s true… volunteering can add so much to your life, especially as a professional working in what can be a very self-centered industry.

(Heck, even if you aren’t vain, as an actor, you spend an awful lot of time contemplating your look and brand).

So I encourage you to take the focus off yourself, at least once in a while, by volunteering.  I can guarantee you will return to your creative work with a new and useful outlook.

For the past two years, I’ve volunteered a day a week with hospice patients in the Bronx. This type of work isn’t for everyone, but it works for me and I feel honored to do it.  And I’ve learned so much from the friends I’ve made in hospice.

But you don’t need that level of commitment.  Even a day here or there, working on special projects is huge and important and special.  And New York City makes it really easy for you to volunteer. Their website: NYC Service lets you search for volunteer opportunities by location, commitment hours, and skill set.   And yes, singing, acting, writing, producing, dancing and even reading out loud are skills that are useful to volunteer organizations.

And before you ask: no, I’m not independently wealthy. I struggle to make rent each month like many of you. But I don’t see volunteering as a detraction from making a living (though time at hospice certainly puts the idea of money into a different perspective).

I know we have thousands of options to fill up our flexible actor-time. I hope you can consider volunteering in whatever capacity you can.