Lighting DesignerOdds of Hanging On

The bad thing about the performing arts as far as you’re concerned is that new projects are always starting up. This means they’re always wrapping up, too. So, like all of these other nutjobs you work with, you will continually have to pound the pavement, aligning yourself quickly with new projects so that you aren’t out of work for too long.

This business of show is all about who you know and how much weight your name holds, so build up a good reputation early in your career. That may mean putting your job before your social life and even your family, at least until you're established. Many people are not willing to make that concession, but there are others who are, and they are the ones who are likelier to pop up on a producer's list of favorites. So hopefully your family is nothing special.