Exit Stage Left: Transitioning Onward and Outward From the Arts

by Gretchen Ann Rolfe, Performing Arts Therapist

The term "starving artist" is, unfortunately, no exaggeration. According to statistics from the Screen Actors Guild, over 80% of the union's 90,000 members earned less than $5,000 in 1996. US Census Bureau figures show that performing artists, including actors, singers, dancers, and musicians, earn from $9,000 to $50,000 annually. Those few wage earners in the upper brackets are often supplementing their income with non-art related "survival" jobs in food service and office work.

What makes these statistics so discouraging is that many performers, particularly musicians and dancers, commit to rigorous training before age nine in order to acquire the necessary muscular and mental skills for their professions. These dedicated artists spend 12-15 years perfecting their craft, only to discover they can't make a house payment or finish college. Additionally, performers generally live "on the road" and have little time to build relationships or family life.

What this means is that a tremendous number of performers find themselves facing some hard career decisions in their 30's, 40's and 50's. In order to better prepare the artistic performer for a change of career, I offer the following suggestions in my practice:

Start by expanding your definition of your self. Create a little mental wiggle room. Instead of saying "I am a musician" or "I am a Shakespearean actor," try "I love and perform music/Shakespeare whenever I can."

Massage your heart. Make personal development a daily part of your experience. Locate a teacher, counselor or guru who can nurture you during this important journey of self-exploration.

Flex your soul. Make time in your schedule, no matter how busy, for relaxation and enjoyment of spontaneous, unplanned activities.

Feed your mind. Let more of the world in. Make space in your parallel life for non-artists, and revitalize your thinking with rich new ideas and personalities.

Make a list of every skill you have acquired in arts, from "handling rejection and stress" and "managing small groups" to "ability to focus and perform under pressure." You will transfer these invaluable and hard won assets to every future endeavor.

Make a serious study of your art. Identify related pursuits you can use to satisfy your need for expression and recognition. For example, consider reviewing drama or music, directing or editing film, teaching voice or technique, costuming, assisting smaller theaters, working as an agent, writer, or publicist.

Become involved in your community. Lecture to young hopefuls, join a civic theatrical organization, help with a fledgling performance company, lend a hand with publicity or music or classroom presentations. Not only will your contribution stimulate good will and contacts, but you will demonstrate to yourself and others that you are a multi-dimensional talent.

Become actively involved in sports or fitness routines. Keep your mind on the road, safeguard your physical health, and stay tuned to your environment during this introspective period.

Find other artists in the field who have transitioned into other work and set up casual interviews with them. Exchange thoughts, feelings and strategies.

Rustle up books and videos about artists' lives. Look for the patterns, the lessons, and learn from them.

Do some fearless exploration into the here and now. Ask yourself the hard questions: Have you simply outgrown the need for concentrating on one particular form of expression? What else would you like to accomplish before you shuffle off this mortal coil?

Pay attention to your feelings and prepare yourself for some very necessary and natural emotional responses. Life and career changes stir up plenty of old demons. You are accomplishing a change of identity, a restructuring of dreams and friendships and routines . . . expect to hit some pockets of grief and frustration. Healing is also a fine art, and takes time. Be gentle with yourself.

Get medical attention for any depressed of anxious mood that lasts longer than two weeks. And monitor your substance intake. You may be particularly vulnerable to anesthetization at the moment.

Employ stress management techniques, including meditation, yoga, exercise, biofeedback, creative & relaxation exercises.

Reawaken your sensory and spiritual self. Remember the high holy days; celebrate summer solstice; have your palm read; read up on the ancient gods and goddesses.

As Auntie Mame so colorfully stated, life is a banquet- and most poor devils are starving to death. Indulge a little!

Lighten up. Make funny faces at children. Practice your belly laugh. Inject light-heartedness wherever you go, particularly as you walk in the shadow of doubt and chaos. Offer the priceless perspective of high humor and playfulness as your gift to the world - and to yourself.

Take a good look at how you think about change. The Greek origin of the word "crisis" simply means "decision." You are always at the helm of this ship, so boldly go where you have not gone before.

Find something or someone that is worthy of your love and extend it. Pick up a stray, call your impossible sibling, chat with a lonely person. You are needed in this world.

Each time you face an unexpected or scary event, choose to use the opportunity to expand your repertoire. All good farmers increase their yield by turning over the soil and rotating their crops. How does your garden grow?

08/06/98

Gretchen Ann Rolfe, Performing Arts Therapist, is completing her Ph.D. in Psychology. She can be reached at
gretchenrolfe@excelonline.com.