How Much Do Broadway STARS Make A Week?
How Much Do Broadway STARS Make A Week?
#1How Much Do Broadway STARS Make A Week?
Posted: 4/24/16 at 8:17pm
I am sure this question has been asked a hundred times on these boards but I was wondering how much someone like Kelli O'Hara would get paid a week for playing Anna or Jessica Lange in Long Days Journey Into Night? Then how would it compare to their understudies (when they perform) or someone who does not have a lot of notoriety playing a lead?
#2How Much Do Broadway STARS Make A Week?
Posted: 4/24/16 at 8:45pm
https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=1079970
https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=1073887
https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=1003492
https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=729178
https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=987872
https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=929675
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
#3How Much Do Broadway STARS Make A Week?
Posted: 4/24/16 at 9:10pm
SmoothLover said: "I am sure this question has been asked a hundred times on these boards but I was wondering how much someone like Kelli O'Hara would get paid a week for playing Anna or Jessica Lange in Long Days Journey Into Night? Then how would it compare to their understudies (when they perform) or someone who does not have a lot of notoriety playing a lead?"
Both of those are bad examples, as Lincoln Center and Roundabout are nonprofits, and salaries are lower.
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
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#4How Much Do Broadway STARS Make A Week?
Posted: 4/24/16 at 9:14pm
And those two actresses likely demand very different salaries. There is no one simple answer. After b'way minimums (which is just south of 1900/week, I believe) the rest is private negotiations. Sometimes that info gets out in the public for specific contracts - I remember Lane's salary being discussed at some point - but anything else is speculation.
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.
#5How Much Do Broadway STARS Make A Week?
Posted: 4/24/16 at 9:34pm
As I stated before in one of those threads, my understanding is everyone gets the minimum unless you are a name that sells tickets. Being a Tony winner or nominee sells tickets and is plastered all over the marquee. Other notable exception is well known movie actors or singers. Other than that, most only get the minimum even the leading actors.
Not to be confused with Dave19.
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#6How Much Do Broadway STARS Make A Week?
Posted: 4/24/16 at 10:36pm
No, that's not true at all.
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.
#7How Much Do Broadway STARS Make A Week?
Posted: 4/24/16 at 10:39pm
Dave13 said: "As I stated before in one of those threads, my understanding is everyone gets the minimum unless you are a name that sells tickets. Being a Tony winner or nominee sells tickets and is plastered all over the marquee. Other notable exception is well known movie actors or singers. Other than that, most only get the minimum even the leading actors.
"
I'd be surprised if the ensemble of wicked aren't making more than equity minimum.
In our millions, in our billions, we are most powerful when we stand together. TW4C unwaveringly joins the worldwide masses, for we know our liberation is inseparably bound.
Signed,
Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
https://theaterworkersforaceasefire.com/statement
Dallas Theatre Fan
Stand-by Joined: 3/10/13
#8How Much Do Broadway STARS Make A Week?
Posted: 4/24/16 at 11:03pm
I've always wondered how much the Matildas make sense they only do two shows a week. Do they still make minimum or do they have different rules from the Equity?
#9How Much Do Broadway STARS Make A Week?
Posted: 4/24/16 at 11:05pm
Dallas Theatre Fan said: "I've always wondered how much the Matildas make sense they only do two shows a week. Do they still make minimum or do they have different rules from the Equity?
"
They still make minimum.
In our millions, in our billions, we are most powerful when we stand together. TW4C unwaveringly joins the worldwide masses, for we know our liberation is inseparably bound.
Signed,
Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
https://theaterworkersforaceasefire.com/statement
#10How Much Do Broadway STARS Make A Week?
Posted: 4/24/16 at 11:24pm
Well I had heard in regards to one the afore mentioned performers that the weekly rate was much higher than 10,000 a week from more than one person. The number I heard was astonishing and I could not figure out how the house could make enough money through ticket sales.
CathyFromLex
Swing Joined: 10/9/13
#11How Much Do Broadway STARS Make A Week?
Posted: 4/24/16 at 11:36pm
When the "Rebecca" debacle happened a few years ago, it came out in court filings that the several leads were to have made $7,000 per week IIRC. And none of them were "big stars."
Wilmingtom
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/18/11
#12How Much Do Broadway STARS Make A Week?
Posted: 4/24/16 at 11:46pm
Lane and Broderick were famously each making $100 grand a week for The Producers at one point, but that's the exception, not the rule.
#13How Much Do Broadway STARS Make A Week?
Posted: 4/25/16 at 2:23am
I heard many years ago that an Australian leading lady was the first [in Australia] to be paid over the A$10.000per week.
Marvellous how we 'hear' all these things and as someone above said 'overheard'--did they sidel[?] up and lean over or put a glass to a wall?
It's all gossip anyway
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#14How Much Do Broadway STARS Make A Week?
Posted: 4/25/16 at 6:04am
're: Wicjed ensemble members
I'm sure NEW ensemble member are making minimum...especially if it's their debut.
These things are based n it just in the size of the role, but previous experience as well as "stardom".
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.
Updated On: 4/25/16 at 06:04 AM
#15How Much Do Broadway STARS Make A Week?
Posted: 4/25/16 at 8:40am
Dave13 said: "As I stated before in one of those threads, my understanding is everyone gets the minimum unless you are a name that sells tickets. Being a Tony winner or nominee sells tickets and is plastered all over the marquee. Other notable exception is well known movie actors or singers. Other than that, most only get the minimum even the leading actors."
I've never been privy to information about anyone's salary, so the conclusion I'm drawing may be incorrect, but I actually feel like someone like Patti LuPone, whose work and fame are primarily in the theater, may demand a higher salary than someone like Catherine Zeta-Jones, who can afford to work in the theater for a smaller paycheck because she'll make so much more than that on her next film project.
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
#16How Much Do Broadway STARS Make A Week?
Posted: 4/25/16 at 8:51am
I asked this somewhere else, but this thread is getting more traction. I was wondering how much the star of a west end show would be making compared to the Broadway counterpart. Are the elphabas making the same amount or is it less in the west end since their equity minimum is also less?
In our millions, in our billions, we are most powerful when we stand together. TW4C unwaveringly joins the worldwide masses, for we know our liberation is inseparably bound.
Signed,
Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
https://theaterworkersforaceasefire.com/statement
neonlightsxo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/08
#17How Much Do Broadway STARS Make A Week?
Posted: 4/25/16 at 8:59am
Dave13 said: "As I stated before in one of those threads, my understanding is everyone gets the minimum unless you are a name that sells tickets. "
Your understanding is wrong.
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#18How Much Do Broadway STARS Make A Week?
Posted: 4/25/16 at 9:04am
givesmevoice said: "Dave13 said: "As I stated before in one of those threads, my understanding is everyone gets the minimum unless you are a name that sells tickets. Being a Tony winner or nominee sells tickets and is plastered all over the marquee. Other notable exception is well known movie actors or singers. Other than that, most only get the minimum even the leading actors."
I've never been privy to information about anyone's salary, so the conclusion I'm drawing may be incorrect, but I actually feel like someone like Patti LuPone, whose work and fame are primarily in the theater, may demand a higher salary than someone like Catherine Zeta-Jones, who can afford to work in the theater for a smaller paycheck because she'll make so much more than that on her next film project.
"
That is not correct either. A big movie star might be WILLING to take less for those reasons, but it its not a negotiation tactic. If their name is going to bring in the money, their paycheck is going to reflect that. (when is salary ever based on how much you might earn elsewhere?)
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.
#19How Much Do Broadway STARS Make A Week?
Posted: 4/25/16 at 6:58pm
Seems like Hugh Jackman made an incredible amount as I recall but that was probably a very special arrangement.
SamIAm
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/04
#20How Much Do Broadway STARS Make A Week?
Posted: 4/25/16 at 7:16pm
Lane and Broderick's salaries were rumored to be $100,000 per week by the press...this was never confirmed and was denied by the actors and their agents. As for high salaries, yes, some stars do make a lot but to negotiate that salary they have to be able to carry the show (TONY winner with previous headlining experience) and/or be a movie star, TV personality, etc. The sad fact is that equity salaries are far from great and most equity members make much less than what it costs to live in the tri-state area.
"Life is a lesson in humility"
#21How Much Do Broadway STARS Make A Week?
Posted: 4/25/16 at 7:19pm
I actually feel like someone like Patti LuPone, whose work and fame are primarily in the theater, may demand a higher salary than someone like Catherine Zeta-Jones, who can afford to work in the theater for a smaller paycheck because she'll make so much more than that on her next film project.
A list movie stars earn many millions of dollars to star in a movie. What CZJ considers "a smaller paycheck" is still more than what many people earn in a year, and more than what even the biggest "Broadway names" earn.
Big name stars often get a percentage of box office on top of their salary, so in a hit show, that could be a substantial increase.
Generally, lead contracts include a raise for Tony nominations and another raise for Tony wins (for the performer, not necessarily for the production), but that is all part of the negotiation.
Another thing to consider is the number of stars and/or leading roles. A show like Wicked has two leads who are usually on the same level of fame, whereas a show like Gypsy usually has one star: Rose. Lane and Broderick may have earned $100K per week as the two stars of The Producers, but I'd be willing to bet they received less for It's Only a Play, where they shared billing with an entire cast of huge names.
Bottom line: outside of the minimums required by Equity, there are no rules when it comes to salaries, from person to person or show to show.
Nothing matters but knowing nothing matters. ~ Wicked
Everything in life is only for now. ~ Avenue Q
There is no future, there is no past. I live this moment as my last. ~ Rent
"He's a tramp, but I love him."
Everything in life is only for now. ~ Avenue Q
There is no future, there is no past. I live this moment as my last. ~ Rent
RentBoy86
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/15/05
#22How Much Do Broadway STARS Make A Week?
Posted: 4/25/16 at 8:48pm
I know most Elphabas are making about 10K a week.
And there's more to it than just the minimum. Understudying a role will get you extra money, fight captain/dance captains make a little more, etc.
I'm sure Timon in The Lion King is making 2-3K a week. But most people are probably getting the minimum.
I would think anyone playing The Phantom is in the 10k bracket as well.
#23How Much Do Broadway STARS Make A Week?
Posted: 4/25/16 at 9:25pm
Call_me_jorge said: "I asked this somewhere else, but this thread is getting more traction. I was wondering how much the star of a west end show would be making compared to the Broadway counterpart. Are the elphabas making the same amount or is it less in the west end since their equity minimum is also less?
"
^^^^
In our millions, in our billions, we are most powerful when we stand together. TW4C unwaveringly joins the worldwide masses, for we know our liberation is inseparably bound.
Signed,
Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
https://theaterworkersforaceasefire.com/statement
asmith0307
Broadway Star Joined: 8/5/14
#24How Much Do Broadway STARS Make A Week?
Posted: 4/25/16 at 9:30pm
RentBoy86 said: "I know most Elphabas are making about 10K a week. "
Unless the last few have been really good at negotiating, I know that isn't correct. More in the 6-7k range.
#25How Much Do Broadway STARS Make A Week?
Posted: 4/25/16 at 10:05pm
Well, back in early 2002, I was working for a company that was "in the running" to finance and distribute the cast album of a show, based on a late '60s movie. I went to a sort of backer's audition in a rehearsal space that was pretty remarkable. I remember looking at the contract and noticing the third "star"...and the biggest name prior to the show's opening...was being paid low 5 figures a week. For the one-day cast recording, all performers were to receive one week's salary. We eventually lost out to a major label...one that pretty much has wiped it's hands of Broadway for the most part today. The whole experience was a great learning lesson and the label we distributed at the time, has gone on to do tremendous things!!
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