Hot take: If you're relying only on acting income to survive in 2025… you're either incredibly lucky, or dangerously stressed. In this raw and unfiltered episode, Maggie breaks down the real financial blueprint behind her life as a working actor — including exactly how much she makes, what she pays in rent, how she saves for her wedding, and why a full-time job hasn’t killed her theatre dreams (in fact, it’s helped her thrive). What she earns What she spends How she saves And how she’s still performing Whether you're fresh out of school, deep in the hustle, or just tired of pretending you’ve got it all figured out.......... this episode is your permission slip to build stability your way. Have a topic suggestion you'd like to have discussed on the pod? Email [email protected]. Visit actoraesthetic.com for more actor tools and resources. Follow host Maggie Bera on social media Instagram: @actoraesthetic / @maggiebera Facebook: www.facebook.com/ActorAesthetic/ Email: [email protected]

Feeling disconnected from your rep book? In this episode, Maggie Bera shares how to rebuild your audition binder with songs that reflect your personality, casting energy, and vocal strengths. She breaks down why most sopranos struggle to find current, callback-worthy material—and how to fix it. Plus, Maggie shares the origin story behind one of Actor Aesthetic’s most popular downloads, now completely revamped for 2025: 100+ Contemporary Audition Songs for Sopranos. 🎵 Grab the updated list here → actoraesthetic.com/shop🎭 Perfect for college auditions, callbacks, and rep book refreshes.   Have a topic suggestion you'd like to have discussed on the pod? Email [email protected]. Visit actoraesthetic.com for more actor tools and resources. Follow host Maggie Bera on social media Instagram: @actoraesthetic / @maggiebera Facebook: www.facebook.com/ActorAesthetic/ Email: [email protected]

After a year away from the mic, Maggie shares her experience undergoing cervical disc replacement surgery, recovering as a performer, and what it means to return to the industry with a new perspective.

Thinking about moving back to NYC to pursue your career in theatre? Now that the pandemic has subsided, here's what you need to know. Also discussed on this weeks podcast is side jobs for actors (remote and hybrid), balancing your part time and full time gigs with acting, working towards financial stability outside of the arts, EPA's and ECCs, and how to deal with sickness during auditions, rehearsals and performances. Have a topic suggestion you'd like to have discussed on the pod? Email [email protected]. Visit actoraesthetic.com for more info. Follow host Maggie Bera on social media Instagram: @actoraesthetic / @maggiebera Facebook: www.facebook.com/ActorAesthetic/ Email: [email protected]

The spookiest week of the year... and it's not Halloween (even though TJMAXX put out all their Halloween decorations already... can't we have one more month of summer?!) Going into a tech week of her own, host and actor Maggie Bera breaks down exactly what to expect walking into tech week for a musical. Buy the Fontus lozenges here.  Have a topic suggestion you'd like to have discussed on the pod? Email [email protected]. Visit actoraesthetic.com for more info. Follow host Maggie Bera on social media Instagram: @actoraesthetic / @maggiebera Facebook: www.facebook.com/ActorAesthetic/ Email: [email protected]

If you’re not performing professionally on Broadway, on tour, or on a cruise ship, where might one find work? Regional theatre!

40 minutes of JAM-PACKED info you’ll want to hear before your next audition.

You're scrolling through YouTube and you see yet another Broadway star performing a song at a fancy cabaret... chances are, they're singing at 54 Below!!! But did you know you don't necessarily need to be an established performer with an insane resume to perform there? Tune in to learn how you can get involved in your next show. Have a topic suggestion you'd like to have discussed on the pod? Email [email protected]. Visit actoraesthetic.com for more info. Follow host Maggie Bera on social media Instagram: @actoraesthetic / @maggiebera Facebook: www.facebook.com/ActorAesthetic/ Email: [email protected]

When exactly should I join Equity? How will I know when the time is right for me? Is it worth it? Answering the NUMBER ONE question we get here to better help you understand how the union works... and what makes the most sense for YOU! Have a topic suggestion you'd like to have discussed on the pod? Email [email protected]. Visit actoraesthetic.com for more info. Follow host Maggie Bera on social media Instagram: @actoraesthetic / @maggiebera Facebook: www.facebook.com/ActorAesthetic/ Email: [email protected]

Have an audition coming up? Hadestown? Mean Girls? Six? Guess what... chances are you WON'T be singing a musical theatre song.  These days, professional musicals are very heavily calling  pop songs for their initial auditions. Why? Many of them are BASED in pop music! Hence... casting directors are now asking you to bring in a song off the radio. Have no fear! Tune in to hear how to find your next pop song, and what to do when you're lacking a little inspiration. Shop pop song suggestions at actoraesthetic.com/shop. Have a topic suggestion you'd like to have discussed on the pod? Email [email protected]. Visit actoraesthetic.com for more info. Follow host Maggie Bera on social media Instagram: @actoraesthetic / @maggiebera Facebook: www.facebook.com/ActorAesthetic/ Email: [email protected]