I have recently began waiting tables, as I needed an audition-friendly job, and waiting tables is the quintessential choice from what I hear.

My question to the forum is this: when I do finally land a gig, how do I go about telling the restaurant? Should I have warned them before I started (not a good way to get hired)? NYC is a small world, and I always do my best to not burn bridges. Thanks guys!

I would definitely tell your job..for sure you would not be the first actor working as a waiter/waitress. But give them heads up so that you can arrange to work a double shift or if there is another person who can swop shifts with you you can work it out to cover each other. And always be the best that you are so that even when you need to escape for an audition, those in charge will be more understanding because they know you are worth keeping on staff.

Thanks denise, that makes a lot of sense.

actually, people don't usually take waiter jobs for their flexibility, they take it for the fast high money that comes with it. waiter jobs tend to be very inflexible unless you work in a corporate place where there are dozens of employees. most restaurants know that their servers wont be around long, and probably already assume you are an actor.

cater waitering is the best type of flexible serving work for actors. you won't make as much as being in a fancy restaurant, but the pay is usually pretty good ($14-25, depending on who you work for and how long you've been there). it's sort of like temp work. each company works differently, but as most cater waiter companies employ hundreds of people, there are always people to call to take over your shift.

regardless, be upfront. make friends with any and all coworkers in your same position. be willing to scratch some backs instead of always being scratched.

If you are reading this, then chances are you are reasonably fluent in Computer. If you know Microsoft Office, or can learn it, there are a LOT of well paying temp jobs out there, especially for Excel and Access folks. If not, it's worth the price of a course to be able to pick up some of these jobs. I know a few folks who work one or two days a week and pay for their rent and classes.

That said, be careful. The money is addictive. It's tenpting to work three then maybe four days a week, blow off some auditions to put next month's rent in the bank... Next thing you know, you've been in IT for twenty years and you're breaking back into acting all over again. That's what happened to me; stick to your dreams!

I work overnight at a reporting company. The pay is decent. $12/hr. The hours are alright. The best part is I work 12am - 5am. I sleep mornings and I can get out to audition all day.

its kinda hard to tell your restaurant that you got a gig....trust me! kid around and say hey i'm gonna make it big and i'll take care of you when i do....if they dont hire you back if you have to quit one of the best jobs is catering....there are about 5 good catering companies in nyc....its very flexible usually 15-22 hr...you pick your schedule and you dont have to work for months on end if you dont want to then you can start right back up whenever you need to....i do it here in la and its been the best thing for me!

All super helpful -- thanks guys!

stagesweetie44 - which, in your opinion, are the 5 good catering companies? We hire fairly often but have lost our favorite so I'd like a new group to look into. Thanks!