We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Cherrie McRae. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Cherrie below.
Cherrie , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?
I am a full-time creative, yes! Financially I am able to cover a good deal of my day-to-day living, however, I don’t come remotely close to being in that 3% just yet! I do understand that supplemental and passive income is very relevant and extremely important this day and age. The average working performer at best, makes anywhere from 12,000 to 50,000/yr. The A,B and high C-listers may see higher earnings but, at most, Actors must work smart and live beneath or level to their means because bills and expenses pile up, emergencies happen and operational expenses never go away (classes, headshots, local hire travel, grooming, equipment, etc)
The rate in which our society is moving, regardless of a whether one is a full time creative or non creative, life’s journey is requiring many of us to diversify to both survive and thrive.
Cherrie , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Happy reading to all that has stumbled upon my article…a pleasure introducing myself to you!
Well, I am Cherrie. Most just call me Cher. I am from a city in Miami, Fl called Carol City. Lived there my entire life! I went to College in Tallahassee, Fl (Florida A&M University) and Ft. Lauderdale Florida (Nova Southeastern University). I have one son, named CJ, whom I love dearly, who happens to have had a recent birthday (Oct 14th) Happy Birthday Ceej (Had to shout him out, lol) I move to Atlanta in 2006. I have been affectionately chasing and catching this dream called artistry…acting for roughly 10 years. I took up a little bit of theatre in 2005-2006 but honestly, it was because it was the only elective course left and I needed the credit to graduate, lol.
Fast forward to today, I am extremely proud of myself for hanging in here. If I can be transparent, I never wanted to ever really throw in the towel, I have however, gotten fatigue, worn out, frustrated and broke from this journey in it’s infancy stages, but I never questioned whether it was for me. So many people from my past used to tell me, “One moment, we never saw you, the next moment, you were all over my TV.” I take pride in that, the praises and accolades; the support from so many but to be totally honest, the real zeal and thrust forward is being a well-sought out talent that speaks and organically showcases deep-seated truth in every single one of my characters and craftsmanship on screen, on stage; whether cameras are on or off… I want to offer me, authentically. Internal approval and NOT external! Do I approve of me? That’s the real success, my most truest proud moment.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
Non-creatives! Hey guys! (waving)…
Here are a few bullet points:
*I love me some Tyler Perry and loved working for him when I did. But friends and family we can not walk up to that man and simply ask for a job; neither can we walk up in the studio poking around one of his sets for a ‘role on one of his shows.’
*Just because you see us in several tv shows or movies does not mean we are ‘rich’ or ‘balling.’ We (actors) must ration because although we get paid pretty well when we do, we are uncertain when or where our next job will come.
*We don’t always like to announce the things we feel we need to do to advance our career, because to many of you it may sound absolutely crazy (i.e driving 3-4 hours for an in-person audition or taking a flight just to turn around and come back same day/next day) The ‘crazy’ speeches are a bit of a distraction. sorry!
*Yes, many of us will spend out last couple coins on new headshots, equipment we may need, a class with a prominent acting/theatre coach or school, education, acting books, wardrobe/props for auditions, casting platforms, gym memberships….the list is on-going…why? many of us see those around us investing in these resources and it’s apart of operating in our brand/business…This ‘acting thing’ is a business for us.
*We cannot come to ALL OF YOUR ACTIVITIES! Why? Because many of us are studying, in class, on-set, training at a special skill, writing, preserving our energy, getting much needed rest, or just simply need to save that ‘brunch or dinner’ money…event entry money or vacation money for our craft! We do love you, and want to participate, but we just simply cannot be stretched too thin. Just think non-traditional lifestyle and that may help you get it!
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
If I had to put a finger on my most rewarding aspect is seeing how far I’ve come! Reminiscing on all the challenges I faced. Juggling a nine-to-five, my son’s schooling, activities and the financial strains associated with parenting needs when he was much younger. The constant rejection. Productions not paying me for work done, scammers, the over populated acting pool, the wear and tear…whew…deep sigh! As I reminisce on the past decade plus…the most rewarding aspect, is that I am still here…still standing, still staying afloat in a robust industry where so many quit, threw in the towel and just deemed this lifestyle to difficult to both maintain and sustain.
The challenge, for me, was sacrificing so much for so long and feeling like I couldn’t catch a break. The reward?…finally seeing all those seeds I’d sown and watered over the years finally surface… with an abundance more to achieve.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cherriemcrae.com
- Instagram: @cherriemcrae_ig
- Facebook: Cherrie McRae
- Linkedin: Cherrie McRae
- Twitter: @CherRae
- Youtube: c her inaction
- Other: IMDb: imdb.me/cherriemcrae
Image Credits
Sling Shots ATL