Familiar with that old stereotype of the Actor/Waiter — auditioning during the day, waiting tables at night, and praying for that big break that frees them from slinging hash? It’s a common stereotype that has persisted for generations because, well — it’s a pretty accurate one! Award-winning singer and actor Sean Patrick Murtagh has performed on some of the best stages and sets in San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles…he’s also waited tables and slung drinks in each of those cities for nearly 20 years. With a lifetime’s worth of stories and experiences as an actor, singer, waiter, bartender (to name just a few of the roles he’s juggled), he has decided to get behind mic to break down all that goes into surviving the job and “living the dream.” TUFF SHIFT is a podcast designed to celebrate the incredibly talented individuals who make up a large majority of the hospitality workforce, commiserate over behind-the-scenes antics, and bring not just a name to a face, but humanity to the stereotype.

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According to Sean Patrick, “In the ‘105 years’ I’ve been doing this, I have folded napkins with the best of them. Some of the most truly remarkable and talented people I have ever come across have all served their time in restaurants.” The paradigm of the actor/waiter exists for the most part because it is a mutually beneficial arrangement. For the performer, it provides flexibility and a decent source of income between gigs. For the restaurant, it offers a talented work force familiar with charming audiences, capable of memorizing menus quickly and thoroughly, and adapting in the moment to the job at hand. This marriage of convenience is not just limited to actors, though. Dancers, singers, painters, designers — artists all across the board not only thrive in this industry but also are a large part of what makes this industry thrive. Each week, Sean Patrick will be welcoming a new guest to share their stories in hospitality and how those “Tuff Shifts” contributed to their career’s trajectory. TUFF SHIFT is streaming on all major podcast platforms. Make sure to follow @TuffShiftPodcast on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube.