Inside Story - Entertainer



Chris

Age Range
36-45

Countries of Work
Australia

Study and Career History
I left school at 17 and worked in retail, hoticulture, building and fishing industries, returned to study performing Arts at age 31 Completed 2 years full time course at TAFE college.

How long have you been doing the job?
12 years

Did you decide on your career path or did it all happen by accident?
It was planned, but it hadn't turned out exactly as I thought. I decided to returnto study following a divorce and and I chose Performing Arts as drama classes were the only thing I really enjoyed at school. All my school reports saide thinkgs like "When Chris gets over his need for an audience…" and "Chris likes to clown around in class…" They were trying to tell me all along! When I finally got round to doing my Performing Arts we did a unit on circus skills which I took a shine to, so I can now include on my resume juggler, stilt walker, fire eater and acrobat!

How did you get your "Glamour Job" ?
By visiting agents and marketing myself… this is very important. You have to promote, promote, promote and never give up. Don't expect people to come to you… it just doesn't happen when you are new to the scene.

What does the job involve?
Entertaining people from age 3 to 103 in all sorts of different situations.

Describe a typical day at work.
There is no such thing as a typical day in my work…. That's why I like it!

What do you like most about the job?
It is always different and challenging. I rub shoulders with people from all walks of life and mostly they are out to have a good time so I am dealing with happy people.

What don’t you like about your job – if anything?
"Nervous Nelly" Organisers who want to dot all the "I's" and dot all the "T's" who just don't understand the business of entertaining.

During your teenage years did you have much vocational guidance from school, university, family or friends? What was your biggest influence?
I had no guidance or influence whatsoever… It was all about getting a "normal job" when I was at school…

If you took end of school examinations did you get exam results you were happy with from your education?
I left school at 17 after taking end of school exams, I was not happy with the results, but having spent the last two years of my schooling bored and partying I couldn't have expected better!

Do you think that what you studied in school or in your further education was right for the career you are in now? Any regrets?
I don't think that what I studied at Secondary School was good for much at all let alone what I am doing now, which is why I had to do further studies… I just wish that I been encouraged to do something with what I was clearly very good at, earlier.

Have you taken further studies since leaving secondary or tertiary school. If yes, what did you study and why did you decide you needed more qualifications?
I did my Tertiary education at age 31, partly because I knew very little about my new Performing Arts career and partly beause I was annoyed with my Secondary school results as I knew I was a lot smarter than they gave me credit for.

What was your first job?
Mowing Lawns.

What has been your most bizarre or challenging job to date?
Most challenging job was working on a trawler, just for the sheer physical challenge of working my balls off, with little or no sleep for a month at a time and having big dose of foolish people fueled with alcohol and drugs to contend with. The most bizarre was impersonating someone as a hoax, whether it's a visiting Executive from the USA or someone's long lost Uncle at a wedding!

What is your ultimate goal.... is this it, or do you have a pinnacle you have yet to reach?
I wish to run seminars that empower people to go for and reach for their goals especillay in the area of love and relationships.

What are your top tips for personal success?
Say YES. Even if you don't know you can and persistance, persistance, persistance.

Any comments?
I am incredibly lucky, but I believe we make our own luck and attract the things and people we need according to our outlook.

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