Off Broadway - This means shows in New York theatres ranging from 99 to 500 seats. There are many different contracts that can be used when a show is produced Off Broadway. Pay varies a lot here.

Off Off Broadway - 99 seats or less constitutes an Off Off Broadway theatre. Pay in this category stinks! Not a way to make a living, but sometimes some incredibly fulfilling work is done at this level.

Touring - This is a great way to see the country and the world. If it is a Broadway tour, pay can be very lucrative even if you are in the chorus. The work is hard, sometimes leaving after a show one night to drive through the night to the next town. There is a lot to consider when going on tour. If you feel you are finally developing momentum in NYC, i.e. lots of really high profile auditions and coming very close to some big work, you may want to consider staying in NYC and keep the ball rolling. If this is true, then most likely you have a representative to help you weigh your options. Remember, leaving town takes you away from nearly any project that might come your way, mainly because it is nearly impossible to come into NYC to audition while you are on tour.

Classical Theatre - There are only a handful of classical theatres in the country that pay a salary that you can live on, yet classical plays tend to be produced year round all over the country. It is very difficult to make a career out of performing only classical theatre. It takes a certain actor to do classical theatre well. It really requires classical training: you need to have an excellent command of the language and it helps that you have a natural musicality about you. Although being classically trained does not mean one is automatically GOOD at it, I recommend taking some classes in this area; it helps you be a more well-rounded actor, and it teaches you a different way to communicate.

Regional Theatre - The word regional doesn't mean that it's outside of NYC but that it falls under several specific types of equity contracts. The LORT contracts (League of Regional Theatres) are the most prestigious contracts under a regional theatre category. They consist of contracts from the letters A through D, with A offering the highest wage and best perks. Many of these LORT theatres have provided us with some of our most successful Broadway shows.

Other levels of regional theatre contracts are SPTs (Small Professional Theatre), LOAs (Letter of Agreement), TIER contracts and many, many others. They may pay less than the LORT, but some of these theatres produce work of stellar quality.

When considering a regional theatre it's in your best interest to fully investigate what contract the show will be under and what salary and perks come with it. For example, some of these contracts pay less for rehearsal than they do for performance. Go to The Drama Book Shop to find a regional theatre directory. Some directories give you, in advance, their upcoming season which allows you to submit yourself specifically for a particular character in a play or musical at a particular theatre. When dissecting the directory, stay away from any theatres that don't hire "jobbers". Jobbers are actors that live too far away to be considered "local", hence room and board would need to be provided by the theatre.
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Summer Stock - This is theatre that performs in the.......summer! Generally, these theatres present plays in repertory. Repertory means that several shows alternate on the same stage throughout the summer. This is where a lot of actors "cut their teeth" in theatre. Summer Stock theatres are more open to casting actors with less experience than LORT Regional theatres. You have to have the chops to work several shows at one theatre in eight weeks! What a great learning experience! You can find information about Summer Stock Theatres at the Drama Book Shop.
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Live Industrials and Trade Shows - These industrials are generally theatrical shows with material custom-written specifically for an organization or corporation (i.e. a pharmaceutical company launching a new drug, or a financial institution implementing worldwide company policy changes). These are not "shows" to which you invite your family or representative. They are usually closed, private affairs for the employees and management of the corporation or organization. Pay is similar to Broadway chorus rates. (See more in TV/COMMERCIALS/FILM/INDUSTRIALS/EXTRA WORK)Trade Shows are similar to live industrials, except that they are usually promotional events for an industry or "trade". Some examples are The Toy Fair (where you might be dressed up as a life-size "Tickle Me Elmo") or The Auto Show (where you might be demonstrating the latest model of a car to members of the public). These jobs are not usually in the Breakdowns, but sometimes are listed in Backstage and you may also hear of them via word-of-mouth. These gigs are usually outside union jurisdiction, but are great ways to make some money on the side.

Cruise Ships/Theme Parks - Cruise ships are a great idea for young actors because it's a free way to see the world! Theme parks tend to pay well, provide health insurance and are usually in lovely vacation settings.

However, I think you need to think twice before taking a job with a cruise ship or theme park if you have already started to make significant business contacts in NYC - say, with some casting directors and perhaps a representative or two. Why, you ask? Do you know the old saying, "Out of sight, out of mind"? Well, that applies to leaving NYC for an extended period of time when you have built up a support system in the business.

The contracts on cruise ships and at theme parks tend to be from six months to a year, and if you are starting to build NYC relationships in the industry, chances are you will be forgotten when you return.

In general, cruise ships and theme parks are great things to do when you are young and carefree, but not so great when you are trying to start up your career.