Equity Actors — Page 5

ok--I will accept that you are informed if you will merely tell us what role you play in the business. And be honest. Are you a producer? An actor? A director?

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Well, how do you feel about the director's union?

And what type of theatre do you work in--community theatre, Equity regional, tours, off-bway, bway, or off-off/showcases?

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Switz78
"Also to the person who said one week of their production contract pay goes to rent, boo hoo. I have loans from school and bills and rent and I use up more than one weeks paycheck on rent. If you want more STUFF, move to Astoria or someplace cheaper or invest some and buy a place. It is more possible than people think."

That was my post, Switz78. You should learn to read more carefully before you attack people with false accusations of statements that were never made. This is what the post actually said:

"That $1381 minimum that some of you are all up in arms about doesn't really go very far.

One of my dear friends is currently in the ensemble of a Broadway show right now. Her contract is negotiated for a little over $1400 a week. After taxes, agent commission, and 2% Equity working dues are deducted from her paycheck she brings home a little over $700. Her rent which she splits with a roomate is about $1500, which means that one week of her take home pay is already gone. Factor in bills, groceries, voice lessons and dance classes and that's pretty much it for her."

I was simply stating another persons experience. She has never complained about not making enough money. She just says that she makes just enough to meet basic needs and there isn't much left for savings. She is proud of the fact that she is doing what she loves and doing it on Broadway and she wouldn't trade that for anything.

And as far as moving to Astoria; I already live there. She lives in Manhattan and her rent is cheaper than mine.

No

Updated On: 2/24/05 at 01:37 PM

sparky--no one joins Equity to get rich. We join because that is now the tradition and requirement if you want to work on Broadway, Off-Broadway, or leading role in Regional Theatre, etc.

bwayboi--you say and I quote, "If actors didn't have a union, producers and directors like me would take advantage of them..."
That 110% supports everything I and others have said.

You have a problem with the chorus minimum, but you attack Equity as a whole. You are in a union yourself--and yet you attack actors (and not stage managers) for being in one.

I will say with all respect that it seems as if you truly do not care about actors--that we are second class to everyone else in the theatre in your eyes. And, frankly, that is a truly sad thing.

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FACT

40% of all of Equity's membership made $5000
or LESS during the last YEAR working under Equity's contracts.