Actor and benefits

Nual

Bare with me please. Any advice greatfully received.
My DD is 22 and wants to work in theatre. She has a v. good drama degree from a russell group Uni, as well as fairly severe dyslexia and dyspraxia which she has refused to declare or get any support for since she did her GCSEs.
DD graduated in 2010, went into a depression when she realised I couldnt afford to pay for her to do an MA ( other DD at Uni by now), and moved back with me. There arent many jobs around here, and 95% are NMW but after coming to terms with her situation and several months of me keeping her, with her not even signing on she got a job in a call centre.
She was still looking for theatre work, and after working 11 months was offered an acting job. This meant handing in her notice , the money she had saved went on living in London for a month rehearsing ( no pay) and then v. little pay while performing. She then moved back in with me, applied for all the jobs going locally, and after two months eventually signed on for JSA. She was offered a job that started the day before her first signing on day so didnt get any JSA as she hadnt turned up to sign on.
So - she is now determined to move to a city where there is more chance of getting theatre work. She is looking at house shares and NMW jobs, but if she doesnt manage to get a job there before moving will she be able to claim JSA/HB or will leaving her job here mean she cant get any support? ( which comes first, the job or the flat share...)
Just to pre-empt anyone who might suggest she should get real, DD is v. talented ( not me saying) and has overcome huge barriers to do what she has. Back in the day creative types could sign on and off as necessary, get a bit of bar work or waitressing - resting actors- but how are they supposed to survive now?
I have given her loads of financial support, but things are too tight now for it to be more than minimal.

rogerblack

Grants of various sorts.
She is not special, and is in much the same position as anyone else.
The benefits system treats (as it should) actors in much the same fashion as anyone else wanting to work in a field for which there is limited demand.
She will only be entitled to JSA for a limited period while seeking work only as an actor. After this period, she will need to seek and accept any work at all that she can do. (in the jobcentres view)
If she does not accept any work that she is capable for after this period - her JSA will be sanctioned.

It is proposed to cut housing benefit for those under 25, but these have not yet been announced in a concrete manner.

If she has left her job voluntarily, and not in respect an absolutely concrete job offer, she will be sanctioned for likely an extended period, only able to claim a limited amount of hardship allowance.

miduck

Has she looked at teaching, either through doing a PGCE or outside a school environment?

As she has already discovered, acting work is very limited and very low paid. I am not doubting how talented she is, but talent does not always equate to success in acting, and very few ever earn enough to live off. I am not suggesting that she gives up her dream, but I would encourage her to find an alternative career path away from the stage.

dacouch

If she's a member of equity they may be able to give some advice

midnight_express

If she resigns her JSA can be sanctioned.
If it's London she is thinking of moving to, it very hard to find somewhere to live without a few grand behind you. Most landlords or fellow flatsharers don't want people who aren't working. As far as work goes it has always been hard for actors - the trouble is it's now hard for everyone else. Low paid jobs in London don't pay enough to live on.

fawd1

gah, I HATE the "get into a sensible profession" brigade. She's young. Let her at least have a go. She could be the next Meryl Streep. Wouldn't we all be sad if all the great artists in the world had decided to go on to "sensible" careers. Anyway, there are plenty of waitressing jobs available, look at www.caterer.com
The great thing about waitressing is that generally speaking it's shift patterns, allowing time for castings, auditions etc. If she gets a full time waitressing job then she can manage a flatshare in the outskirts of london (should end up with about a grand a month, not including any tips), which would allow her to get into central London pretty easily. See this advert as a good example of what she should be looking for. http://www.moveflat.com/c/397936.htm

Alright, she'll be as poor as a church mouse, but hey ho, she'll be at least having the courage to follow her dreams. Good luck to her!

Nual

miduck wrote: »

Has she looked at teaching, either through doing a PGCE or outside a school environment?

As she has already discovered, acting work is very limited and very low paid. I am not doubting how talented she is, but talent does not always equate to success in acting, and very few ever earn enough to live off. I am not suggesting that she gives up her dream, but I would encourage her to find an alternative career path away from the stage.

Yes, she has applied for PGCE course, waiting to hear if she has got interviews. Dyslexia could be a problem...

seven-day-weekend

Does she actually WANT to teach? It's not a profession to just drift into because you can't find anything else. If she does, fine, if not...

....I would go with following her dream, but getting a 'proper job' too - supermarket work, waitressing, bar work, call centre - flexible work so that she can follow up any acting opportunities that may arise.

Itismehonest

The vast majority of actors & other theatre professionals are unemployed at any one time, as I'm sure you know.
As has been suggested Equity can help. However, from what you have said I take it she hasn't got her card. This can be a chicken & egg situation as you usually need an Equity recognised job to work the provisional period toward full membership.
I presume she takes The Stage regularly?
The dyslexia may be a problem if there is an issue reading scripts etc. but it is not insurmountable if there is real talent.

Two possible avenues occur to me.
The first is to audition for one of the reputable acting schools. They have contacts within the profession which could eventually help. However, if finances are tight, this may not be easy. Grants, scholarships & bursaries are often available but will depend on her talent & possibly (as far as grants are concerned) whether she will teach or perform at the end of the course.
The second is to get into the performing side via 'backstage'. Apply for any theatre job available from selling tickets in a Box Office through Stage Crew/Management, Wardrobe etc.

If she has given up her job voluntarily then she will not receive JSA.
Unless things have altered drastically I can't see any Equity recognised job not paying during the rehearsal period. I'd be very careful of anyone who suggested working for nothing.

I wish her luck.

ermine

fawd1 wrote: »

gah, I HATE the "get into a sensible profession" brigade. She's young. Let her at least have a go. She could be the next Meryl Streep. Wouldn't we all be sad if all the great artists in the world had decided to go on to "sensible" careers.

My dream is a island with a helicopter. I can't afford that. You care to chip in for my dreams while I chip in for your daughter's benefits while she pursues her dreams? Thought not...

scootw1

Blimey.dunno why people think acting is not a proper job.I'm sure the great actors of our day and in the past would regard it as proper.where would we be if Ian mckellen did a 'proper' job. No films or dramas on tv or the cinema. Get a grip folks, it is a proper job just one which is highly competitive. I wish the op's daughter every success and you never know she could on our screens come this time. In years to come.