I Am Designer on the Behance Network
This can be quite hard to do as a performer - you’re expected to “pay your dues” and usually the places who want you can’t afford to pay you! (Though I have had better luck being paid by small/community groups than I have from bigger commercial names, not just for performing but for other things.)
I told The Lady Ms Vagina Jenkins about how I tended to perform for free (I think I’ve been paid twice in my life to perform, and one of it was in addition to stage managing, which is somewhat more lucrative) and she was appalled at me! I do know that with the US and UK once you’ve built up a bit of experience it’s almost taboo not to request payment, because it affects the ability of other performers to get paid, but here in Australia it can still be hard to work out whether you’re experienced enough to be paid or not. What’s the standard? How many shows must you have done?
I love performing, so I don’t mind about the money so much, though it would be nice to at least have an allowance to cover costs esp if I need to travel. I don’t think I’m quite at the level to expect payment yet as a performer. But I don’t want to end up putting other performers at risk because I’ve affected the going rate! Performers (esp Aussie ones) - what do you think?
No, really. I worked for free for YEARS and it was next to impossible to stop doing so. And then I continually undervalued myself (and hell, still do).
It can be hard, especially if you’re social-justice-minded, it can make you feel mercenary. But really, it is so easy to get taken advantage of.
