- O
Hi! Thanks for taking the time to read this.
I'm moving to New York City this year to keep pursuing work in theater and start specializing in automation for live performing arts productions. The last six years have been hard in many ways from the Covid Pandemic fracturing the performing arts industry to the financial downfalls of so many of my employers in the non-profit theater spaces, as well as the rapidly rising cost of living with no wage increases to match. Making more money each year doesn't put a dent in the gap between wages and the cost of living anymore.
In order to afford a move to the big city where there's more opportunity and IATSE union work I'm making this gofundme campaign to build the safety net I need. If you know me you know I'm not always skilled at asking for help, especially when it comes to money. So this is me asking for help and giving you, my community and my chosen family, a chance to show up for me :)
If you are unable to donate but still want to support my safety net there are many ways you can make an impact; that could be sharing this gofundme campaign with your friends and networks on social media, helping me pack, calling me just to catch up, telling me to take deep breaths, or sharing a snack with me!
Here's a simplified breakdown of costs I'm planning for:
Goal 1: Apartment
$3000 - First and Last month's rent for next apartment
$1200 - Security Deposit
Goal 2: Moving Logistics
$1800 - UHaul (driven by yours truly), days off to pack/move, gas, cat transportation, junk removal from current apartment, emergencies.
Goal 3: The Safety Net
$9000 - Roughly 3 months of expenses based on research into the areas I'm looking to live (Brooklyn and Queens)
Some background context (aka: reasons a financial safety net would help me):
- I graduated from university at 19 years old. There were fewer years to build up a savings base with after school jobs because I didn't go to highschool, and I wasn't the correct age to apply to scholarships while attending University of Minnesota: Twin Cities.
- Even though I've been working consistently (save for 2020!) in my industry of choice for nearly 10 years now I haven't had a chance to create an emergency fund (3-6 months of expenses) because I've been financially independent since the age of 18. Taking care of my rent, utilities, cell phone bills, car maintenance/insurance, doctor visits, and food expenses for ten years has taken a toll on how much I can save vs. spend with each paycheck.
- New York has exponentially more lucrative and available work in live event production, automation, rigging, and carpentry than Boston does. Moving is scary and expensive but I do posess the connections and skills to make it worthwhile. I've already started taking IATSE Local #1 work calls when I can (thank you Zack!), and I've made contact with several Automation Operators on Broadway! Being in the city will make it easy to take work and get my hands on more auto consoles (like Hudson, PRG, and SMI).
- I believe this move will benefit me in a number of ways; I'm hopeful that with better paying work I'll be able to make time to give back to my community by returning to volunteer with my amazing colleagues on USITT's Safety and Health Commission.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
It's 2:36pm and you are loved.
Organizer
