Do stage actors get paid extra for "appearances?"

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Do stage actors get paid extra for "appearances?"

Posted: 6/19/09 at 1:46pm

It occurred to me that stage actors are asked to do an awful lot when they are not actually performing in the show like signings, TV appearances, Broadway in Bryant Park, Today show etc. Are they mandated to do these in their contract and is it included in their salary or does each event pay them additional?

I just wondered because the actual performing is a huge time commtiment and all these extras could get really overwhelming.

"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal "I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello

re: Do stage actors get paid extra for 'appearances?'

Posted: 6/19/09 at 1:52pm

They are paid extra.

re: Do stage actors get paid extra for 'appearances?'

Posted: 6/19/09 at 1:52pm

I heard they weren't paid for Bryant Park, but I might be wrong.

"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611

re: Do stage actors get paid extra for 'appearances?'

Posted: 6/19/09 at 1:56pm

I was going to post that about Bryant Park but I wasn't sure.

re: Do stage actors get paid extra for 'appearances?'

Posted: 6/19/09 at 2:07pm

They're paid for Tony performances. That's why the Tony opening number was so expensive.

Like a firework unexploded
Wanting life but never knowing how

re: Do stage actors get paid extra for 'appearances?'

Posted: 6/19/09 at 2:09pm

I would say that it depends on the event.

I also believe that they do not get paid for Bryant Park, however they do for most television (late night/early morning) appearances. Like for example, I'm sure the Hair cast wasn't compensated for singing at the BroadwayImpact rally.

re: Do stage actors get paid extra for 'appearances?'

Posted: 6/19/09 at 2:11pm

I'm sure it varies from event to event. But they have control over which ones they agree to do (for the most part). But since the end result is additional ticket sales, it behooves them to do as many as their schedule allows.

But I have to scoff at: the actuall performing is a huge time commitment. It's their JOB. Most days they are at the theater for a whopping 3 to 4 hours. Contrary to popular belief, they don't have rehearsals all the time. Yes, the dance captain can call them and yes the musical director calls music rehearsals from time to time. But there is an awful lot of down time. Understudies have more time in rehearsal than do the reg. performers.

However, many CHOOSE to continue to go to auditions, readings and classes but that is a use of their personal time.

If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it? These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.

re: Do stage actors get paid extra for 'appearances?'

Posted: 6/19/09 at 2:15pm

I've heard that both Bryant Park and Broadway on Broadway are volunteer while, I'd imagine, stuff like television appearances and CD signings are paid. I believe anything that is considered a charity event is voluntary.

"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney We must have different Gods. My God said "do to others what you would have them do to you". Your God seems to have said "My Way or the Highway".

re: Do stage actors get paid extra for 'appearances?'

Posted: 6/19/09 at 2:21pm

I think performing in the show itself is a big commitment. They are working 6 days a week and the time they are working often cuts right into the most productive hours of a day, and the time when other friends and family members are not working(meaning they lose face time with the people in their lives). Plus, they have virtually no weekends.

I think it is a HUGE sacrifice and I stand by that. To do add-ons make it even more of a sacrifice.

Plus, when they arent on-stage they are usually doing other gigs or looking for other gigs. It's no cake walk and ALOT different than folks with "regular" jobs.

To call it a 3/4 hour a day commitment is an understatement.

#10

re: Do stage actors get paid extra for 'appearances?'

Posted: 6/19/09 at 2:24pm

"Most days they are at the theater for a whopping 3 to 4 hours."

Yes dramamama, but they are like teachers in that they have to grade papers at home and prepare lesson plans outside of class.

The people I feel sorry for is stage management. They have to be at work long before anyone else shows up and stay working long after everyone else has left.

If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.

#11

re: Do stage actors get paid extra for 'appearances?'

Posted: 6/19/09 at 2:27pm

A sacrifice? to do a job that so many people would KILL for? Sure it's difficult to arrange family life with that schedule...but let's not go overboard. You also get to bring your kids to school almost every day and be there when they get home and do homework with them and stay with them until almost bedtime.

I'm not saying their jobs are a cakewalk....but let's be realistic.

#12

re: Do stage actors get paid extra for 'appearances?'

Posted: 6/19/09 at 2:52pm

I think there are different kinds of working actors and you described a handful, but the day you described does not sound anything like the days working actors I know have.

But I realize that there is truth to what you say and I am realistic.

#13

re: Do stage actors get paid extra for 'appearances?'

Posted: 6/19/09 at 3:00pm

I wasn't trying to be snippy, at all....hope you didn't take my comments in that manner.

#14

re: Do stage actors get paid extra for 'appearances?'

Posted: 6/19/09 at 3:02pm

Not at all dramamama....I see your point and you see mine. We're all good. :)You make valid points.

#15

re: Do stage actors get paid extra for 'appearances?'

Posted: 6/19/09 at 3:17pm

Shall we sing Kumbya? (How IS that spelled?)

#16

re: Do stage actors get paid extra for 'appearances?'

Posted: 6/19/09 at 4:42pm

There's a clause in the production contract that says an actor has to make themselves available for a certain amount of press (you're gonna make me look it up, aren't you?).

There are a lot of different scenarios laid out in the rule book, but the primary one is this:
"It is understood and agreed that it is part of the Actor?s job to
participate in reasonable promotional and/or publicity appearances, as
requested by Producer."

A few details:
If they are appearing in costume they get paid 1/8th salary.
If they are out of costume (including T-shirts and the like, but not including "black tie" dress) they do not get paid.
If the actors are getting paid, the stage managers get paid the same if they have to attend.

Yes, stage managers get a lot of crap, but there are two things I look to for comfort.
1: We get paid more than the average actor (excluding stars)
2: When the actors get paid because their work is being filmed, recorded, etc. we get paid as much as the actors, even though our work is not as prominently featured (if at all) in the recording. For instance, getting a week's pay to sit and watch a cast album being recorded all day is pretty awesome.

I always feel like I'm stealing when I get paid for that kind of stuff. I just got a check for over $400 from AFTRA just for calling a couple cues for some promotional video. Literally like 5 cues over the span of two hours.

So there are some outside events that are free, but the ones that pay tend to pay disproportionately well!

#17

re: Do stage actors get paid extra for 'appearances?'

Posted: 6/19/09 at 6:52pm

Bryant Park, Broadway on Broadway, CD signings, no pay. On TV appearances, most are paid but if they are interviewed promoting a non paid appearance, then no.

Live long and prosper. Marriage equity now!

#18

re: Do stage actors get paid extra for 'appearances?'

Posted: 6/19/09 at 6:54pm

Kumbaya :)

Live long and prosper. Marriage equity now!

#19

re: Do stage actors get paid extra for 'appearances?'

Posted: 6/19/09 at 10:07pm

Dover -- thanks for those amazing details. I assumed there was "reasonable" expectations, but nice to see it layed out!

#20

re: Do stage actors get paid extra for 'appearances?'

Posted: 6/19/09 at 10:17pm

If they are out of costume (including T-shirts and the like, but not including "black tie" dress) they do not get paid.

I'm a little confused by that. what would be examples of events requiring "black tie" that they'd be paid for? not the Tonys, I'd assume? but, I guess, any gala events or something.

When I see the phrase "the ____ estate", I imagine a vast mansion in the country full of monocled men and high-collared women receiving letters about productions across the country and doing spit-takes at whatever they contain. -Kad

#21

re: Do stage actors get paid extra for 'appearances?'

Posted: 6/19/09 at 10:24pm

Maybe a stupid question, but, do the shows like Regis and Kelly, Letterman, The View, etc, do they pay people to be on their show? Or are people on the show to plug things so no pay is expected?

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