Welcome to another edition of Side Hustle Spotlight where I interview actors and filmmakers at different levels of their career who have used their other passions to capitalize on a fulfilling side hustle. These folks no longer or have never had to do serving work that drained their energy and made them miserable. Be sure to check out the original article for inspiration on discovering your side hustle.
This week we interview a professional PR rep who can use her experience and communications degree to promote her own acting work (or yours!)
Name: Bianca Roses
Side hustle: PR for booming startup companies at ASTRSK PR in NYC
Years acting: 15 years ago I was type-cast in my sixth grade play as Curly (see my hair), one of the lost boys in “Peter Pan,” and have loved acting ever since. Three years ago, I went back to school for acting at the William Esper Studio (I graduated Spring 2018) and am fully committed to making this my career!
Favorite acting credits/opportunities: Most recently, a show with the Collective NY (co-founded by Amy Schumer), a commercial with Scholastic (little me was so excited), and the monthly sketch comedy shows that I write and perform in for my house team at the People’s Improv Theater.
What do you do when an audition or shoot comes up?
I always make sure I get all of my work done, even when I have a performing opportunity. My boss and manager both fully trust me, so I am able to leave the office whenever an audition comes up. I’m super grateful to have that kind of support and flexibility.
Have you ever felt like your side hustle was in jeopardy because of acting? How long did it take you to feel like you had security at this side hustle, even if you took time off for an acting project?
My situation is a bit different. I started out in PR and then quit to pursue acting. After graduating from college with a BA in Communication, I worked full time at ASTRSK for two years. Then I left to go to Esper to study acting and when I graduated, my former employer reached out and offered me a part-time job with flexibility in order to still pursue acting. I realize how lucky I am and how rare my situation is. I don’t feel like my side hustle has ever been in jeopardy because I previously established myself at this agency and I always make sure to give my 100 percent when I’m in the office. Sometimes when I take time off for an acting gig, I come back and find that I am worried and wondering things like, is today the day they’re going to say this part-time, flexible arrangement isn’t working out? It’s the classic small voice that we all have that needs to be shut down. I know I have a really strong work ethic (thank you, Dad!) and I’ve trained myself to focus on the task at hand and give my all to both my acting and my side hustle.
What skills or talents did you need for this side hustle? How long did it take you to qualify or complete training for your side hustle?
It took four years in college to earn my degree and then two years working in PR post-grad in order to get to this point of having a part-time, flexible job. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished in order to get here. When I graduated from Esper and came back to working in PR part-time, I felt guilty at first. I was worried that I wasn’t putting acting first. However, learning how to support yourself while acting is very much part of the process. I read Jenna Fischer’s book, “The Actor’s Life: A Survival Guide.” She put that guilt I had to rest saying, “even though it’s a temporary job, do it well. Avoid the temptation to be stingy and think you’re ‘saving your energy’ for your ’real’ job of acting. You will be better prepared to give your acting career 110 percent if you are already working at that level at your day job.” This really spoke to me. I so appreciate her for saying that. There is nothing wrong with working hard at your day job to help you work hard at acting.
READ: Survival Jobs 101
How does this side hustle fulfill you? Do you feel like you’re helping people/society/humanity in a tangible way?
Yes, 100 percent! I do PR for startup companies, so I love being able to help small businesses tell their stories in the press and through other creative avenues. The company I work for is so amazing. We have pro-bono clients and we work with clients that use technology to make the world a better place in so many different ways: sustainability, health, lifestyle, and way more. Seriously, if you are interested in startup PR companies, I would research ASTRSK. They are the top of their game and the best out there.
Has your side hustle made you better at acting or achieving your acting goals?
Oh yeah. It’s given me so many skills that help me propel my acting career. I’ve always been extremely organized, but now I’m organized on crack. For example, I keep spreadsheets of all the casting directors, agents, and managers I’ve met and want to meet. Google calendar is my bible. It helps me put all of the moving pieces of an actor’s life together in one place. I know we all love that #tupperwearlife of three meals in our backpack because we never know where we’ll end up. I was able to garner skills such as building my own website and learning how to maintain a social media presence. Also, there are benefits from working an office job that I take advantage of every day. For example, I spend 5–10 minutes each morning and afternoon scanning Backstage and other websites to submit myself for roles. I’m always checking email so if anything from these submissions or my commercial agent comes through, I’m able to respond right away. If I need to update my website, book a workshop, or schedule a meeting, I can do it all from my desk.
Why did you choose to do this side hustle instead of more stereotypical acting side hustles like serving?
I do a lot of comedy so most of my rehearsals and shows are at night. I needed a job during the day that I could leave for any daytime auditions. I’m also fortunate to have a bachelor’s degree in Communications, so it’s great to be able to use it.
If you produce your own work, do you feel like this current side hustle allows you the freedom/resources to do that?
Yes! I recently started exercising my creative writing skills (in addition to acting) and I definitely believe they have gotten better from working in PR. I help write my sketch team’s monthly show, just wrote, shot, and directed two scenes for my reel, and I’m working on a web series right now. I also have all of the tech skills I mentioned earlier that are super helpful for marketing and sharing my own work.
Do you have any advice for actors that aren’t sure what path to take while they are waiting for acting to pay all the bills?
I got some great advice once. It was that a day job should be at least two of the following three things: lucrative, flexible, and fulfilling. I think aiming for two is a good goal. I will say flexibility is number one to me. Day jobs aren’t easy. Every day I wonder if I’m at the right one. I think we will all wonder until acting is our permanent day job. Wow, I can’t wait for that day. But if you can find something for now that you can be honest with yourself that you’re truly still putting acting first no matter what, I think you’ve struck gold.
Looking for your side hustle? Check out these brand ambassador casting calls on Backstage!
The views expressed in this article are solely that of the individual(s) providing them,
and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Backstage or its staff.
