Extracurricular activities

Photograph: Donna Rickles

Scott Weber, 42

Lives: Fort Greene, Brooklyn
Teaches: Biology at Brooklyn Technical High School, Fort Greene
What is your “real” job? My “real job” is to become a fully realized human being, and I find great joy in this every day. When I am a teacher, that comes first. When I act and puppeteer, that comes first. I’m in a puppet group called Drama of Works.
Why choose teaching as a second job? I’ve always loved science, and the steady paycheck is nice. And due to the time off, I can concentrate on performing over the summer. This past summer and fall I was in Die Hard: The Puppet Musical.
Does puppeteering pay well? Well, I don’t get paid much, although my group just got a sweet grant for a shadow-puppet show for Nokia.

CHEAP TIP: “I try to live by a Depression-era saying, ‘Use it up, wear it out, make do or do without’—I don’t own a car and I buy maybe one pair of shoes a year.”