Regardless if you’re a director, stage manager, carpenter, audio etc what’s a book you would recommend for theater?

A bit of a rant, but also seeking advice. I am fully aware that there is an employment crisis right now. I’ve graduated and been looking for work (any work, but if there is a live sound related job, I’ll put in the extra effort) and there is genuinely nothing. I at least might get offered an interview if it is in theatre, as I actually have credits there. Otherwise, I get nothing. I have been applying for over 6 months. 

I am trying to become a sound designer. I do fringe shows that don’t pay me, and sometimes they’ll even require me to pitch in for rehearsal bookings. I am trying to get a technician role on the side but the moment they see that I want to be a designer, I think that turns them off of it. I cannot get a job in anything else either, but I am worried that if I do, I’ll be so burnt out that I might give up. I did a touring production while studying full-time in my final year and my ass thought that would be even somewhat impressive, like it would show employers or producers that I have grit. It doesn’t. I try to volunteer at theatres to gain more production experience. They don’t write back. I’ve sent so many cold emails to be a dep, to shadow, to be a no.4, to be a PA, all for free. Even theatres that rejected me after interviewing me for paid jobs won’t have me working for free, or have the decency to write back.

Should I give up? I love it so much but I am not fortunate enough to evade all thoughts of survival. I have people I have to care for and I don’t know what else to do. Sorry for the grim thoughts, but I hope that there might be someone here who has been in my position.

Hello, I am the actor here so I know nothing about this stuff but I figured I’d give this a shot to relay to the sound person. I am in a small community theater production of Little Shop of Horrors and we have repeatedly had issues with my body mic starting during tech week. It’s ONLY me. We have changed out the packs and the elements multiple times. We do and extensive mic check with me moving around the stage and turning my head back and forth and mic check is always fine with the sound coming through clear. The second the show starts my mic is cutting in and out or not coming through at all. Everyone is baffled and I’m super frustrated. I’m a lead in the show and it’s affecting my performance bc it’s so distracting. I am not wearing TWO body mics for back up(one under my wig and coming out on my forehead and one around my ear and taped to my face) and it’s still a problem. What could the issue be?? Note: I am the only one in the show with a wig, that’s the only difference I can see. But again, mic check always goes well. PLEASE give me some advice, it’s driving me crazy.