Full Moon, Character Development
Character Development. Aka all the jobs I’ve had. Aka recalling all the things I’ve learned in the 12 years I’ve been an employee. Let’s define the word shall we. Employee: a person employed for wages or salary, especially at nonexecutive level. According to this definition I’ve been an employee at many different places for many different people. As an artist there’s also the fun contractor work. What it means to be a independent contractor? The general rule is that an individual is an independent contractor if the payer has the right to control or direct only the result of the work and not what will be done and how it will be done. If you are an independent contractor, then you are self-employed, according to the Googles. List form because it’s easier:
Age 16: Mall kiosk retailer- selling cellphone cases and other accessories, left because they said they’d pay the day of and they didn’t. I was in high school and didn’t know better
Ages 15-16: Performer for a non profit. Touring schools and performing at school assemblies. This was my first taste of being a paid performer
Age 19-22: Tapioca Express, making drinks and snacks and all the food service things. There was an instance I had to demand my overtime pay so that was an interesting time.
Age 19-20: Directing and writing for/at EBA. A musical review was written and directed, and then the next year I did it again with my own words. It had the potential of touring schools but that never happened because the principal actually had no idea what she was doing.
Baby Teaching Artist 22-24: I remember this being a slow but steady way to make income. Especially during the summer. I did one Summer in the Central Coast as a teaching artist and then from there each year up until I moved to NY I’ve had a teaching artist job.
Retail, Age 23: I did a season at Nike and then Nordstrom Rack when I eventually moved back home in 2015.
Performing in the ensemble Age 23: First contract out of PCPA was with Berkeley Playhouse in Peter Pan and I continued to perform there for the next 4 years. It felt like a right of passage and it was fun. I’m still friends with a lot of the people in that cast today.
Teaching artist in many different spaces. 22-27 I mean I guess I found what I enjoyed. Although I grew bitter at the lack of representation on the stage and screen. Being a Brown teacher felt like I was low key a martyr.
Admin: I applied for a job I found on Indeed. It didn’t end up being what I thought it was. I still have this job. It’s a lot to unpack. Each of these places taught me something. Maybe I’m resistant to accept this lesson?
Food service 24-27: As I was performing and hustling I was also working at a restaurant and cafe. Using tip money for gas and toll money.
Emotional labor, age 27-30: LOL am I joking? no. but that’s what my current job feels like.
Empathy Simulation specialist, now: Start up money is great but also it’s fickle.
I guess I’m currently not feeling the best. I don’t think it’s seasonal depression. It’s capitalism and white supremacy breathing down my neck and pressuring me to keep up with the society in the way that keeps me in my lane. Vlogging is helpful. I’m annoyed my therapist has missed 4 sessions. I’m excited about this circle on friday nights.
In conclusion I have been getting paid for work since I was 15. What have I invested in? Where do I see myself in the next 15 years. How am I getting there?
