Rents in Dublin are a nightmare for an actor like me struggling to earn a living

Cork actress EMMA WILLIS burst onto our TV screens in hit shows Young Offenders, Can’t Cope Won’t

Cope and Nowhere Fast. Emma now stars in Spotless, a new play by award-winning playwright Gary Duggan, and talks here about the financial trials and tribulations of being a young artist in Ireland.

What was it like working on Young Offenders?

A lot of fun. It was great to see a lot of Cork people who have never acted before taking part. Many people would love to do something artistic but wonder, can you really make money doing that? You never really know how much you’re going to make in a year, which can often be difficult. I have actor friends that make only a small amount one year and then the next they get a big gig and are set for the year. It’s really hard to say.

You’re doing very well now. Did you ever do the whole artist-starvingin-a-garret thing?

I think every artist at some point has been there, yes. It’s usually at the beginning when you are still trying to get yourself out there. For me, it was definitely when I first moved to Dublin after college. Renting in Dublin is no joke with huge costs, especially when you are an actor.

Funding the arts is all very well and we have tax breaks for usually welloff established artists. But what about funding the artists when they are starting off?

More can always be done to help artists in Ireland, maybe more schemes to help individual performers or smaller theatre companies with their first productions would be very useful. I know a lot of performers and small companies find it hard to source funds for their work. There’s such brilliant work being done by small companies at the moment in Ireland and the more we support them the better.

What did you learn about money from your parents?

I remember they always would tell us to have a bit put aside in case of emergency and it’s something I really try to do now as an adult. With a career in acting you never really know when your next gig is going to come, so it’s good to have a bit put aside for those down times.

No.1 financial priority?

To live within my means. I hope never to be in debt – that prospect honestly terrifies me as an adult, especially in this career where pay cheques are irregular. The thought of having huge loans to pay back would stress me out far too much. Honestly, don’t know what I’ll be like if I ever get a mortgage!

How do you cope with the challenge of irregular income? Save it or spend it?

I try to have a good balance as it’s good to save but also you need to treat yourself every now and then. No use having a bank account full but no joy in your life.

Biggest money mistake?

Renting in Dublin. It’s definitely something that I’ll look back on in a few years and think that, God, that was expensive for what we got. But it’s unavoidable in this city right now, unfortunately. I know so many actors who pay ridiculous rent in Dublin. It’s really something our Government needs to look at. I wouldn’t be surprised in a few years to see no self-employed artists living in this city at all with the rate it’s going.

One little luxury you’d like to treat yourself to?

A holiday. It’s hard to take time off with this career, because you don’t want to book something and then get the call for an audition that clashes with it – but this summer I’m definitely going to try. Somewhere hot and sunny

Most extravagant treat you bought yourself?

I’m not one for extravagant purchases in general and I’m not into designer clothes or shoes… thankfully, ha! It’s a bit boring but I bought myself a new laptop recently. A spilled a cup of tea on my old one made it a necessity.

Guilty pleasure?

Eating out. Although my bank account would prefer it if I did cook at home, I eat out a lot. There are so many amazing restaurants in Dublin that it’s hard to stay in.

÷ Emma Willis stars in Rise Productions’ new play, Spotless, which tours nine venues until May 9, including Dublin’s Smock Alley this week. See riseproductions.ie.