Equity vs. Non-equity shows

Hey--

Does anyone have info on how much the pay scale differs between an Equity Show and a non-Equity show? Are most travelling shows non-E and Broadways shows always E?

Let's start with: Equity principal role $ vs Non-E principal role, and Equity ensemble role $ vs Non-E ensemble. Thanks!

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Most of the Broadway touring companies are Equity shows...however, there has been an increase in non-Equity shows in recent years which has caused quite a controversy.

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That is interesting information Galindaba. Thanks for the post.

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It's also somewhat wrong. While it is true that lately there have been many non-equity touring productions, those have been exceptions, not the rule. Most shows have ALWAYS gone out as Equity, but with larger casts and rising healthcare and the cost of housing, producers, LATELY, have been pursuing the non-equity route. The main difference is healthcare. Most non-equity productions do not provide healthcare, and often times, the sets look cheaper than they should normally look. But the new Equity contract has provided a pricing scale for large-cast shows that might be tough sells on the road. In other words, Wicked would have no problem getting an audience, so there's no way Equity would have allowed them to use the new scale. Avenue Q, should it tour, has low production costs and a small cast, so it is unlikely they would need to use the new rules either. Something like Fiddler, on the otherhand, might need some help, considering it can't even get an audience on broadway. It all depends very much. But again, for Equity, the minimum is a little less than $1400 per week, with a $700 per diem (I think). Of course, non-Equity has no such minimum: they can pay them whatever they want.

Ok so to sum up: Non-Eq pay is up for grabs depending on the situation. If it's Equity you guys haven't said it's different pay for main cast members vs ensemble, so they all get paid scale, generally speaking? Just trying to hear you correctly. Thanks!

ps--Non-E gets per diem too? Wonder how that's calculated as an addition to the salary.

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Thanks. Sorry to sound ignorant on the subject (I kind of am, I guess, but am considering auditioning in the future), but it sounds like union and non-union shows both get per diem? That's cool. What is it actually designated for...just to say they're not paying people below poverty level (in some cases), a tax write-off for the production company, or housing or...?

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Per diem covers food and basic day to day needs like that. It can be pretty sweet cuz if you get a good per diem and your housing is paid on tour then you can live off that money and sent your pay check home every month. Thats how people make bank doing tours and come home to thousands of dollars. My friend on rent came home and basically had money to pay her rent for a year. lol. Good times.
And dont be worried about sounding ignorant. You have to learn about this stuff at some point anyway. Happy to help.

Updated On: 12/8/05 at 01:33 PM

For non-union and Equity, the contracts are usually pre-determined for a specific period of time. They aren't going to want to be casting every three months. Usually tour contracts are a year.

Everything is negotiable. Pay, hotel, rooming, cities, length of contract, Outs, etc. Just keep in mind that many roles (particularly the chorus roles) are set at scale -- so, making more is not a real option.

I will say this about talent -- the average equity actor is slightly more talented than the average non-equity actor. HOWEVER, just because someone is non-equity doesn't mean they won't win a Tony Award next year, and just because someone is Equity doesn't mean they will ever work a professional job again in their life (let alone have any talent). So, there are tendencies, but no rules. There are tons of non-eq folks who are better than most equity folks. And tons of equity folks who are worse than any non-eq person.

Also, as a correction, not all non-eq tours provide your hotel. It all depends on who is producing, and how you negotiate your contract.

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that's what per diem is for--food and lodging! If your production company throws in hotel, you are lucky. Equity per diem covers both.

BwayTheatre11--

Thank you for that. Let me piggy-back on what you said: It is silly to make the generalization that Equity performers have more talent than non-Equity ones, as it really is all over the place. Here in Chicago, there are non-Equity actors that are as good as anyone on Broadway. I also know that there are a lot of Equity actors that suck.

However, it is true that generally speaking, Equity actors are more EXPERIENCED than non-Eq's, because unless you're a dancer (that is, a chorus boy/girl by type), if you have any sense you won't get your Equity card until you know that you're in a position to get a steady stream of work.

Danielm...did you just say that because you saw that I was in the current tour of 42nd Street? If so, shame on you...if not, tell me why you thought it was "terrible." Where did you see it? When did you see it? Did you think it was "terrible" just because you knew it was non-equity? I'm eager to hear your full review...

(Danielm places foot firmly in mouth)

Seriously though, I agree that many of the non-Equity tours I've seen have had bad casts with people who were either too young or simply not good enough for their roles. However, as I said, there are many outstanding non-Equity actors out there who choose not to join Equity simply because they get more work that way (although sometimes they get paid so little it hardly qualifies as "work," lol).