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« on: Oct 31, 2016, 11:00 am »
Yes. There is. It depends on what you want to do and if you are willing to take lower pay for a bit to do it.
I left theatre to work as a "stage manager" for a music department at a University. I called Equity to become inactive and as long as your dues are up to date, it's easy.
When I wanted to moonlight as an Equity stage manager, I called again and I paid an administrative fee over the phone, and it was activated.
Then I wanted to leave theatre/arts altogether, and began looking for admin assistant work/receptionist work/secretarial work. I updated my resume to highlight my administrative skills (meaning what computer software I use, you would be surprised what we use) dependability, organization skills, etc
Where I sold myself was my cover letters. These days you cannot send out a generic one. You have to put more of yourself in it and why you want to work for the company. I said that although I enjoyed working in the arts, I was looking for stability, and your position would be a great fit. Because I was lacking in certain areas (bookkeeping for example) I really had to write an amazing cover letter every single time. I used a few templates when I googled "cover letter"
And the calls for interviews came. What's great is that we work in an unique industry that people are always interested in what we do, so they would want to talk about it. I was play up that I am able to meet deadlines (opening night is a deadline) and multi task, as well as handle conflict (that's a big one).
I didn't get any of them. I would be a finalist, and the reason I wouldn't get an offer is because I was lacking skills (again bookkeeping). Looking back, if I could do it I would sign up for a temp agency and "try on" various companies while gaining more skills.
I'm now back into theatre and for extra pay I substitute teach. I couldn't be happier, but if it doesn't work out I'll call a temp agency and go from there.
I hope this helps, and I hope you don't think that you don't have any transferable skills. We all do.