Firstly, because this and similar questions have been asked a million times, so you'll be yelled at because you didn't find those threads before you started a new one.
Secondly, there are those of the mindset that it's really none of your business what these folk make, and until you post your own salary, you have no right asking.
Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson
OK, just so the thread is complete, I'll give you a vicious chewing out for asking such an intensely classless and tasteless question. Here we go.... IT'S NOBODY'S BUSINESS WHAT BROADWAY STARS MAKE!!! AND YOU ARE A BOORISHLY ADLEPATED DIMWIT FOR PRYING INTO SUCH INTENSELY PRIVATE MATTERS!!
There! Everyone OK? Not a long diatribe, but effective nonetheless.
Wisdom often comes with age, but sometimes age comes alone
dmsnyc... You haven't made a mistake, other than letting someone who starts a sentence with "firstly" attempt to set you straight.
What you asked is a legitimate question. Unionized businesses, ones that set salary minimums, are public record. Keep in mind one actor might make more than another, but never less than the minimum set by the union. I work in television, but most Broadway actors I've interviewed are very happy to supply the information. Mainly because it's public record.
Never be afraid to ask a legitimate question.
"I'm not a catcher! I'm a piano player!" -- Schroeder from "Peanuts" ----- http://www.facebook.com/p/Brandon_Bartlett/500719306
I wouldn't say it's wrong to ask what people are making in a performing job. After all, you are paying to see them, so maybe you would want to know how they are being paid compared to the other performers. Maybe you want to know what kind of money may be in store for you in the future. In any case, people should calm down NOW and not flip out over such a question.
So if you are paying to see them, you can ask how much they make? Ok. So if I were to go to my lawyer, and ask what he makes, that would be Ok, right? I mean, I'm paying him, so I should know.
Honestly, who cares how much Broadway performers make? I you want to know "what kind of money may be in store for you in the future", you can check the Equity website, where they tell you the minimum amount an Equity actor makes in a Broadway show.
I am a firm believer in serendipity- all the random pieces coming together in one wonderful moment, when suddenly you see what their purpose was all along.
I you want to know "what kind of money may be in store for you in the future", you can check the Equity website, where they tell you the minimum amount an Equity actor makes in a Broadway show.
More importantly, ask about the employment rate for Equity actors. At any given point in time, 90% of Equity members are NOT employed in an Equity show.
To qualify for Equity's health insurance, you must work 20 weeks a year. Most Equity membvers don't ever qualify.
That sucks. What are they supposed to do about health insurance?
"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
Obviously, WBAF, if they're not working as actors even 20 weeks a year, they need other sources of income anyway. That's where they get their insurance.
Many of them are making enough through the other unions (SAG/AFTRA) to get health insurance there, but plenty of people have to have survival jobs. You must remember how many people want to be actors/singers/dancers as opposed to how many acting/singing/dancing jobs are actually available. It's an extremely overcrowded field.
Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson
Elphie - as stated above, Equity minimum is $1465 per week. That's what an ensemble member who is young and fairly new to Broadway makes. Someone who's been around a while and done a few other Broadway productions might be able to get a couple hundred bucks a week more, if they have a good agent.
Most "leads" on Broadway are earning anywhere beteween $3000 and %10,000. Big "movie star" type names might get more.
Since this thread has nudged itself into the world of Health Insurance...I feel compelled to comment.
You are right to inform a previous poster that many actors who fail to meet the number of employment weeks required to qualify for health insurance find no help from their survival jobs, most of which also fail to provide such benefits.
Broadway actors, however, the ones who are "making money", are not the only actors who qualify for health insurance. There are regional theatre actors, off-Bway actros, etc, (receiving far lower salaries), who also qualify. It is tougher, since regional theatre shows tend to run for shorter lengths of time, but in a good year 20 weeks of emplyment is possible.
What the system proves to me, however, is that health insurance should not be linked to EMPLOYMENT, it should be linked to PAYING TAXES. Why should my employer be saddled with the responsibility of also providing my health insurance? Not everyone makes the same salary, but we all pay a portion of that salary to our federal, state, and local goverments through taxes. It seems to me, therefore, that there ought to be a national health care system that reflects that equality.
As we enter the run-up to the 2008 Presidential Election, I hope to see a candidate emerge with a realistic plan to address this issue.
By the way, this is coming from a person who has benefitted greatly from the AEA plan, but who seeks a system in which anyone who makes a salary, any salary, can enjoy the same help.
I agree about the need for national health insurance, but I don't think it will happen regardless of who gets elected. Health Insurance industry is very powerful and they will not allow it. And American people are easily brainwashed. Just label the whole plan "socialized medicine" and watch it collapse before your eyes.
I would imagine most Broadway actors don't last long in their profession, except for the most successful ones ?
Let's clear up the misconceptions. You can qualify for health insurance with 12 weeks of equity work. That will get you six months of insurance. For a full year of insurance you must work 20 weeks. There are some more nuances to this system that I won't get into here. I have been an equity member for 4 years and I have qualified for health insurance for every one of them. I have not worked on Broadway. Equity minimum salaries are public knowledge and can be found on ACTORSEQUITY.ORG I think to get angry at someone for asking about something that is readily available is rididiculous. What the original poster should be yelled at for is not using the search function, seeing as this topic comes about once every three weeks.
Other than that, did you enjoy the play Mrs Lincoln?
I agree to a point with your assessment SW. It would seem to me however that rather than an across the board national health plan based on taxes; (which vary state to state), what we should aim for is a 4-tiered salary-based health plan. There are to many tax loopholes and ways for those who should be paying more to wrangle out of paying their fair share. Remember large companies employ entire accounting firms and even have their own accounting divisions just to keep them from paying the full amount of tax on their business earnings. But your salary is your salary. With a 4-tier plan based on salary and operated by the state and local governments, the lowest salaried employees would have health insurance provided for they and their families. The low middle-income employees; which I suspect would be the largest percentage, would get coverage through a combination split between the employer and a state fund, thus relieving the hardship on the small business owner while still providing medical coverage. The upper middle income would split the cost with the employer, thus relieving the state fund to see to lower and low middle income employees, and those who are in the upper income bracket would cover themselves, thus relieving both the employer and state fund.
In this way everyone is covered and no one can cry financial hardship. The health industry is powerful because we and our elected officials allow it. Because of insured individuals having to cover the un-insured, the medical industry is able to blame the un-insured for high health premiums and costs. Tier the system, cover everybody fairly and you tie their greedy hands and shove socks in their mouths.
Back on topic. I don't know what a theatrical cast and crew earn, but whatever it is it's not enough for the enjoyment I get from watching them practice their craft. From the stage hands to the performers, I hold them all in the highest regard. Updated On: 4/28/07 at 01:48 PM
I make $1,465.72 a week, as a member of the ensemble. The leading man in our show makes roughly $2,500.00 a week, and another one of our leads (who has a slightly smaller part but is a Marquee Name) makes around $3200.00 a week plus bonuses.
And as for health insurance.. well.. I'm not even sure I remember what that is.
When Julia Roberts was in Three Days Of Rain, she was making a reported $25,000.00-$30,000.00 a week.
jsn, let's not forget to mention that that IS before taxes, and before agents swipe 10% and the union swipes their cut... it goes fast before it goes to the bank account.