Equity Actors — Page 3

And that's why Equity was formed. Because producers WOULD take advantage of us and the stage managers if they could. And that's why Equity will always be here--because actors and stage managers need protections.

And, if you think so little of actors that they shouldn't be paid handsomely (hell--just decently) for the hard work they do, then just why are you a fan of theatre? I don't see how you can be a fan of something but have so little respect for the people involved. I don't see why an actor shouldn't be paid well when other professions are paid well, too.

An actor should be allowed to make a living with their work. What you want would create actors having to live at the poverty level.

It's just GREED what you want.

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"Why should producers be forced into paying wages when so many actors will take less? It's unreasonable, and producers are the ones with the money- they won't stand for it too much longer; either shows will stop or producers will have to get more of their way."

In the professional world, producers are in the buisness to make money (think of the musical "Producers"). That is why the idea of non-equity tours is so appealing. They can charge what people would pay for an equity show and get away with a sub-par performances (eg. Oklahoma! National tour). All the money saved on paying the cast, crew, and orchestra goes where? Back into the pockets of the producers...

Equity doesnt only protect the actors, it also protects the audience.

Updated On: 2/19/05 at 06:27 PM

Don't get me wrong! I belive anyone who wants to perform should be allowed to (whether they are equity or not). In fact, i STRONGLY support theatre of any kind. But, the thing i do not like is when tour companies mislead the audience into thinking they are getting more than they actually are.

When i saw the national tour of "Oklahoma!" at the Pantageous Theatre in LA, the family that sat behind me was looking through their program to see if there were any famous people in the cast. They even asked if knew where the actors bios and headshots were in the program. I told them that there weren't any because they arent required for non-equity actors. And then there was the orchestra... "Oklahoma!" should have a 18 piece orchestra. How many pieces did this "orchestra" have? Eight! Ten instruments were replaced by a computer (and yes you can tell a difference!) !!

If i would have paid $50 for those tickets (i got free ones from a friend) like the family behind me, i would have been furious. Paying equity-price for tickets to a non-equity show is a rip off. (or at least in the case of "Oklahoma!") i CAN tell the difference.

"Are you now saying that a PRODUCER doesn't deserve to make a living as much as an actor?" No. I think it is wrong to misrepresent the good they are selling. Making a couple extra dollars at the cost of the audience is not good buisness.

"Not all producers are greedy money grubbing whores." I never said that. You did.

"How dare anyone say that just because something is non-Equity that it is non-Talent." Who said that?! Again, not me. I know quite a few non-equity perfomers that are better than some equity that i have seen. In general, hiring equity actors GREATLY reduces the chances of sub-par performances. If i am gonna shell out $50 of my hard earned cash for a ticket and i had the choice of seeing Equity or Non-Equity, you can bet-your-behind that i am gonna pick Equity. Which one would you choose?

Actors and SMs are not the smallest percentage of the overall budget. Equity will not sign an agreement unless actor salaries are atleast 25% of the budget on a production level contract. That seems awfully high to me.

I really cant understand why ANYONE would argue that STAGE actors make too much money. That is RIDICULOUS. For example, the pinnacle is Broadway,and WHERE is Broadway ? In NYC..home of the $1300/month studio apt..the $5 loaf of bread...etc. That is the top minimum..after that it drastically goes downhil. I didnt get into this business for the money, but money is necessary to support the artist, his living, his training, his photographs, his resumes,his food, etc. Most salaries in regional Equity theatre hover around $500/week, going as low as $270/week for SPT. And these contract are on the average 6 weeks long. Wow, we actors are getting rich! But according to the one dingleberry, these salaries arent justified. Yes they make decent money on Broadway/NAtional Tours, but those actors are the cream of the crop. ANybody who would deny that money for the best in the business, needs to cease being a theatre fan, and begin to immediately switch to the ever-stimulating world of NASCAR. Now if you excuse me, I have to write a check towards my theatre training a few years back. But you're right, I shouldnt make a livable wage for the craft I've spent years studying, so that I could entertain and stimulate people like you in the audience.

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Non equity tours rock???...lol. Yeah, I suppose Rent rocks. You probably dont need to be Equity to sing music that you can hear in ant rock club in town. Thats the problem with the younger theatre audience. They think the world of theatre is comprised of Rent, Wicked, and a little Phantom mixed in. Why dont we see the non-equity tours of Sondheim. Or better yet, Hedda Gabler or My Three Sons being performed by a bunch of 20'something non-equity actors. You CAN see that, its called community theatre and college theatre. However, if you want to see SHakespeare and Williams and Miller and Chekov done to the point that it rivets you in your seats and causes you to lose yourself for 2 hours, Id highly recommend seeing an Equity production where the actors have dedicated their entire lives and spent years training to do the play you are watching. Sandy Meisner said that it takes twenty years to become an actor. Think about that next time you "light your candle" at a non equity tour of Rent

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Let me once again put forth the light. I do NOT support inferior theatre. But you know what? Non Equity people CAN be just as good if not better than Equity people. No one died and changed the Equity rules to day you had to be good to join. I've seen horrible horrible horrible Equity and non-Equity shows. Equity actors seem to think that they are somehow among the elite, but they aren't. And why does it matter what they think anyway? They aren't the ones buying tickets.

I've yet to see any tour that didn't suck... really. Shows are so bad. And I'm in the business and I can't stand shows. Things aint what they used to be.

"..the tickets are $100, so the salaries are higher. I am an actor who has spent considerable time and money studing my craft. When I recieve a salary, I deserve it."

This and other statements in this discussion are highly arrogant and insulting to the people who have also worked in their fields for many years, spent money on their education, worked and toiled in internships and low-paying entry level positions, most likely don't even like their jobs/profession but need to support themselves and their families so have no choice, and now still scrimp and save to pay for theater tickets to support your "deserved" $1381/week MINIMUM. Minimum that chorus people can make on their very first job, by the way.

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Non equity productions cannot be as good. It is a rule of the universe.

i have been equity for many years and am sad to say i have seen some of the worst behavior out of equity actors..some actors need to learn that as the actor they are not in charge and not the director..i cannot tell you how many times i have been embarrased by these people...pride should not be something that needs to be promoted ...they should be proud to be able to work in the craft they love..just because you are equity doesnt mean you are quality.

A lot of us are living in NYC on a lot less. And we're not doing what we love (because we thought we needed security - and as it turns out, no one has that), and we're working a lot of hours at it.

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Updated On: 2/22/05 at 01:12 PM