So, I just wanted to hear what you want/need to do to enjoy the theatre, but still eat and keep a roof over your head!
Thanks!
I've been SM'ing pretty much exclusively for the last five years.
During slow years and in between contracts i've also turned to scenic painting at the same theatre (having a background in scenic art came in handy....) as it can be great part time work, very accomodating of evening show calls and such. Similarly, crew work, non-union work calls, if you have any background in electrics or construction can help round out the income without resorting to non-theatre work and those pesky standard 9-5 hours.
That said, economy is super helpful. Cook/prepare food at home and bring in with you, it's WAY cheaper than going out to eat every dinner break at work. Heck, buying frozen meals on sale at the supermarkes is WAY cheaper than the local sushi joint, if not as exciting.
Skip the post-show drinks except for special occasions (closing, birthdays, etc.) Socializing is pricey. Some people joke about having their pay check direct deposited at the local bar. It's only slightly a joke.
Theatres can be great places for finding free food. Schmooze with caterers so that after big money-raising shindigs they leave lots of leftovers in the green room
![Smiley :)](https://smnetwork.org/forum/Smileys/default/smiley.gif)
Those sandwich platters can last for days. If it's left in the green room, it's fair game to go into that special drawer in the fridge where you keep tomorrow's lunch.
Roomates are helpful for lowering our top expenditure (housing) and sharing utilities.
Even as a resident SM at a major LORT theatre, i still live with a flatmate as housing prices in SoCal are obscene and i like a little extra cash for going out after shows occasionally.
Sadly time=money and saving time often means not saving money, so sometimes you have to choose.
Little things can go a long way in the end. People always talk about making a budget and keeping to it, but with the amount of time we spend working, i don't usually find a lot of time left over for budgets. Having a general knowledge of how much is in the bank and how much is on the way is usually a decent guage as to how much (if any) spending money is hanging around and i haven't had trouble with managing the day to day expenditures. Having three months living expenses in a savings account is always recommended, albeit tough to keep when living paycheck to paycheck.