Do actor's get paid for Charity stuff?

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 1/5/06 at 4:49pm

For instance, do the people who did the World Aid's Day Secret Garden concert get paid? If so, how much would that be or do they just negotiate things with the different chartities? Or stuff along those lines.

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 1/5/06 at 4:56pm

It all depends. Usually, no. But, man actors regularly require an honorarium for public appearances...particularly regular if the house will be large or if they are (oddly enough) not a star (stars donate time to a cause, non-stars need to get paid). Equity's Theatre Authority deals with all not-for-profit appearances of AEA members, and must approve everything if an AEA member will be doing the benefit.

Posted: 1/5/06 at 4:57pm

Actors do not get paid for their charity work...whether performing at the Gypsy of the Year event for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids or performing at Broadway on Broadway (unless it is televised).

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 1/5/06 at 4:59pm

No cut and dry answer. Some charities have sponsors that will pick up some of the expenses ( talent, advertising, etc). Actors will often commit to a reduced rate if this is the case.

Other charities have little to zip to offer, in this case actors are asked to perform per bona.

Many actors will participate in "some" charity work. It's good for their image. Some show contracts have a clause that includes a certain amount of free appearances by selected cast members.

So it really depends on the cause. One thing for sure is there's never a shortage of good causes!

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 1/5/06 at 5:04pm

When I produced and worked on benefits, the stars never got paid. We had relationships with airlines and hotels who sponsored any travel and housing, that sort of thing, so that the charity itself wasn't responsible for those expenses.

I never believed they should get paid - they are volunteering like the rest of us, and the point of a charity benefit is to raise money for charity. They either want to do it or not. And we got some of the biggest theater/crossover stars out there who were happy to give of their time and talents.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 1/5/06 at 5:21pm

In an ideal situation all charities should be 100% clear profit to the charity, but that is not always the case.
It takes 100% total free commitment by everyone involved. If you can get that, you are in great shape.

Again, it depends on the set up.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 1/5/06 at 5:24pm

Oh okay, just wondering because like for instance, I know Michael Arden did a bunch of Charity work and I was just wondering if he got paid because it seems like he hasn't done much in terms of stuff that would for his rent and whatnot. I mean he did BARE, but that closed a while ago. So, I was just curious.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 1/5/06 at 5:33pm

I've mentioned here before that my bf is a Broadway performer. She does charity benefits ALL the time (in fact we met because she did one of mine) and doesn't do it in order to get paid. To her, it's a way to give back while using her greatest talents and having fun at the same time, getting to work with friends, and sometimes getting to perform roles/numbers she wouldn't get to do "professionally" for whatever reason.

Updated On: 1/5/06 at 05:33 PM

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/5/06 at 5:38pm

Luciano Pavarotti ALWAYS got paid a hefty salary when he played charity performances. That's what made the word "charity" laughable when associated with Fatso.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 1/5/06 at 5:40pm

One of THE most legendary ladies of the theater wouldn't do one of my benefits because we wouldn't buy her the $5000 gown she had been eyeing and wanted us to purchase for her to wear onstage (and then keep).

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 1/5/06 at 5:42pm

I hope you told her what's what, Rath.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 1/5/06 at 5:44pm

Fortunately, I wasn't the one who had to deal with the b*tch. My co-producer was way too nice about it, I'm sure.

[YankeeGal#24]

Posted: 1/5/06 at 5:48pm

In the benefits I've worked on, sometimes an honorarium is offered, and sometimes its not. Oftentimes, depending on the star, the honorarium is declined by the performer, making the profit for the charity greater. Lots depends on the charity and the performers.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 1/5/06 at 5:55pm

Ooooh, I bet I know which "legend" Rath is talking about.

Is this the same lady who's known to send enormous bills for her own personal hair and make-up people on the day after concerts?

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 1/5/06 at 5:56pm

Quite possibly. But it's no one I've worked for privately, if that's the direction you're headed. This lady is quite a bit older.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 1/5/06 at 6:07pm

"One of THE most legendary ladies of the theater wouldn't do one of my benefits because we wouldn't buy her the $5000 gown she had been eyeing and wanted us to purchase for her to wear onstage (and then keep)."

Elaine Stritch

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 1/5/06 at 6:11pm

I wasn't going to mention a name.

[YankeeGal#24]

Posted: 1/5/06 at 6:19pm

Perhaps you didn't need to LOL

Posted: 1/5/06 at 6:39pm

There are times when a performer does charge a fee, usually to cover costs for travel and lodging. I have worked on benefits where they have and some where they haven't.

[jo]

Posted: 1/5/06 at 7:48pm

When Hugh Jackman worked very hard for the GYPSY and EASTER BONNET fund-raising campaigns for THE BOY FROM OZ, he not only donated his time ( and his DNA, as Michael Mulheren would describe what was on the t-shirt and the towel), but I heard he also contributed a hefty check to the BC/EFA charity.

[SirLiir]

Posted: 1/5/06 at 7:52pm

True but Hugh makes more money than an average Broadway star. Good to see him use his money for a good cause!

[BreeDaniel]

Posted: 1/5/06 at 8:26pm

To my knowledge, N.Y theater actors who do benefits, like the ones we all rush to see, don't get paid a dime. They don't even get transportation.

Meanwhile, just curious Raith, is there any profession you haven't been in, at some point or another? It's amazing how many things you seem to be such a staunch authority on.

[JamieMcG]

Posted: 1/5/06 at 8:32pm

You've all got it pretty much covered. None of the actors in any of the World AIDS Day Concerts thus far have been paid. Most of the time musicians are paid...although several in this year's concert donated their honorariums back to the foundation. But despite the lack of salaries among the production staff, creative team and cast, it doesn't mean that benefits are always cheap to produce. For instance, renting the space to do it in is a large expense, renting musical instruments, rehearsal spaces, sound equipment, lighting equipment, costumes (if needed). It would be nice to think that everyone just donates everything for a charity event, but unfortunately, not every company or person can afford to do that.

I'm happy and proud to say that this year, the entire creative team, the producers, the cast and several members of the orchestra all volunteered their time.

As far as what Michael Arden has made this year to pay his rent, he's making it work, but it's really doesn't need to be a concern of anyone on this site (but keep in mind he had that National Dominos commercial this year, Swimming in the Shallows, film work, and some concerts that weren't benefits).

[Mutts]

Posted: 1/5/06 at 10:06pm

After Betty Buckley's 1996 Carnegie Hall concert to benefit BC/EFA, Variety had an article about how Buckley needed more orchestral charts for the evening but didn't have the money to pay for them herself so Broadway Cares paid some hefty sum, maybe $70,000, in arrangement, orchestration and copying fees for her. The concert apparently did make money, but the BC/EFA person quoted said they were hoping to recover some of those costs since Buckley would now be able to go out and earn money using those charts. Don't know how typical an arrangement that is but goes to show that even if an artist donates their time, they may not exactly come free.

[Steve2]

Posted: 1/5/06 at 10:12pm

Christina Applegate got paid for Sweet Charity.