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The Circuit
The challenges — and the importance — of being out on the road, in the middle, on the circuit as a creative professional
When I was a talent agent, something I didn’t do as much as I should have was developing a deeper understanding and empathy for the experiences of my clients.
They all came from different places, with different plans, but something a lot of them had in common was being on the circuit.
The circuit is often in the middle of the market, and as with many things in life, the middle is a tougher place to operate than it first appears.
Early on, you’re just happy to be out there, touching the elements of it. You’re able to publicly share your work, providing people with memorable experiences, and getting paid to do so. Sometimes you’ll be on the same bill as one of your heroes, or even headline a gig where everyone knows you’re the main event.
Over time what began as a passionate hobby becomes a side project, the side project becomes a craft, the craft becomes a nice side income, and then one day it’s become full time.
For some, they catch a wave and are propelled into the stratosphere: maybe for a week, a month, a year, or even a decade or three.
But it’s rare.
