But Cion confesses that she is not yet ready to give up the yoga classes that cost $250 a month and the voice lessons that cost $120 a month. She sees those things as necessities that “keep me sane.” The classes go on her credit card.
All the while, Cion still hopes for the acting break that would allow her to quit her job and propel her out of debt.
“I would quit right now if I had a gig I really believed in,” she said in September. But as the economy continues its plunge, her dream now has a caveat: the gig must pay enough.
The reality is that actresses like Cion must have day jobs to carry their art, and the current squeeze makes that dual-career approach difficult. The few available roles often pay too poorly to justify the time off from work they require. Recently Cion declined a role in a play because it paid only $300 for a one-month run and the rehearsal schedule would have eaten up all of her vacation days.
“Nothing makes more sense to me than performing,” Cion said. “And now there are moments when I’ve had to say ‘no.’ It’s so heart-wrenching.”
Web site succor
What do you do when the company you work for, one of the stalwarts of the American financial sector, goes under? You make a Web site of course. Whokilledthebear.com arose from Sanjeev Naraine’s desire to connect with employees of Bear Stearns who were laid off or, like him, were about to be laid off. Hundreds of people have already signed on to the site and Naraine, an information technology expert, intends to make social networking sites for other fallen financial institutions -- hoping to make some money along the way.
Restaurants dodge bullet
Sometimes a reporter’s hunch may be far off the mark. Thinking that the Lehman Brothers collapse would devastate nearby restaurants, I headed to the Times Square area where the building was located to survey the impact. Contrary to what I first believed, most restaurants were doing fine; some even reported increased trade. Tourists, I found out, had propped up the local economy. And walking down Manhattan streets several weeks later, toward mid-October, the economic crisis still doesn’t seem evident. Restaurants, bars and shops seemed full. Was it still the tourist season – or the calm before the storm?
—Bilal Haye
Cion’s close friend, Raina von Waldenburg, an actor and acting teacher, understands her predicament. She noted that while Cion does not seem particularly happy working as a librarian, the job is necessary in today’s economy.
“It’s good that she has a job that’s steady so she’s not too worried about money,” von Waldenburg said.
In October, Cion auditioned (link to video) for the lead female role in an off-off Broadway play called “Cornbury,” and in early November she tried out for a role in a small independent film. Both projects have flexible rehearsal schedules and would allow her to keep her job as a librarian.
With such selective roles, Cion might find a way to reconcile her acting dream with her financial situation.
“Her main concern is to sustain her life and feed her soul,” said Ruth Cion of her daughter’s balancing act. “It’s not optimal, but it’s doable.”
