How much do actors make on Broadway? — Page 2

Simon?

I love her!

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ssfun90067--are you cute? Why don't you post a picture or your MySpace profile?

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Are you prepared to put out on one of these?

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I wish you a lotta luck. I have worked in Leads in Community, College, and regional theatre for over 30 years. I would give my left kidney to be in the chorus of any Broadway show.

PLEASE come to NY and let us know how you do!

I expect you to be a mix between Delta Dawn and Eleanor Rigby in a week...but dont let that stop you...break a leg!

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I'm sorry ssfun90067 but you were asking for it w/ your naive assumption that because folks in your town/city are enthralled with your stage presence that casting professionals in NYC would want to cast you in leading roles.

I do admire your chutzpah for putting your "fabulousness" out there to the masses. Takes guts w/ this very jaded NY crowd.

Not for nothing, I know you were trying to be sincere in your initial approach, you're just gonna have to take the ego way down. It's a cuthroat business & it ain't that easy kiddo....you did make me laugh though!

I've got a friend that is one of the principals in the show and he makes about 3 G's a week, I believe!

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>> all I did was say that I'm an actor who wants to come
>> to Broadway and play leads. I don't have any ego.

Then what is your definition of "ego"?

>> I am talented....I've played leads in musicals.....duh.

As have, probably, every chorus member on Broadway in the past one hundred years! We all start somewhere, babe. And many of us "talented" people, in our 'small pond' (high school, college, local community theatre) did the same as you! So, duh . . .to you, too and your "false" idea of what ego means.

>> ..if you don't have talent then you can't play the leads.

That would be untrue. I've seen "untalented" hacks everywhere playing leads. You could be sleeping with the director and get cast . . . or you're the only male in the town to play the lead . . . or the director wants to f&@k you . . .or you're teacher's/director's pet. Hard to tell -- unless you were cast in professional shows Off Broadway or Regional. Are you Equity?

>> You'll all be sorry when I'm up there winning my 10th Tony
>> Award.

Come here, show us!

And anyway, a "real actor" who has "passion for the craft" is willing, ready and able to play ANY ROLE of ANY SIZE on Broadway, or anywhere! A cast is a "family" . . .team playing . . .etc. You don't have that, obviously; and I wouldn't feel comfortable working with a snob or egomaniac.

Of course, I have and can work with snobs and ego maniacs . . .I just don't enjoy it as much. Nevertheless, I am joyful to be on stage doing what I love, in roles small, medium and huge!!! It's my life!

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ssfun,
I am going to assume that you are being truthful and asking for advice. That said I think the reason you find yourself mocked is that you are saying you are "too good" to work hard and the lead should just be given to you. It's like going to a fortune 500 company and saying I went to college and my family thinks I'm the greatest so make me CEO I don't work in any office lower than that.
This is why you are being mocked. Other than that I know of no successful performer that got into the business for money. There are much easier ways to make money.
I wish you luck.

Updated On: 11/16/07 at 03:09 PM

If you want to keep your head from getting too big when you are a success next month, you can take $100.00 of your Broadway star salary, change it into $5.00 bills, take it on the subway and give it away to people who don't really need it. It won't change their lives but you'll feel even better about your success!

Make sure you come here to announce that you've done it. (a video would be nice) Then we'll know you've really made it after all!!!

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>> If you want to keep your head from getting too big when you
>> are a success next month, you can take $100.00 of your
>> Broadway star salary, change it into $5.00 bills. . .

Wow, sounds cool! If only the people who did it were Broadway stars. But, they were aspiring and used their regular "day job" incomes (in no way near a Broadway star salary), just to be kind.

And hey, if these people did have a Broadway star salary, I am positive they would've taken a helluva lot more than $100.00 of their salary. In fact, I know it! They would've given away $100.00 to twenty people or more . . . as that is the plan [when they are Broadway stars or film stars].

>> take it on the subway and give it away to people who don't
>> really need it.

Yet, they take it! Interesting, huh? And many did need it . . . as they carefully chose a more needy neighborhood. And you are assuming they don't need it. And if they don't "need it" no one broke their arms to take it. But, you never bothered to check that out. You just assume -- which basically makes you close-minded and shallow.

>> It won't change their lives but you'll feel even better about
>> your success!

Sometimes it feels good to give, too . . . just to do it. No one had a goal to "change the lives" of the people, in a poorer neighborhood, on the train. It was a gesture about paying forward what one does have. None of claimed to be successful Broadway stars . . . we merely claimed to feel life is good, successful (no matter your income) and we all have something we can give and are glad to do it.

>> Make sure you come here to announce that you've done it. (a
>> video would be nice) Then we'll know you've really made it
>> after all!!!

Yeah, I would rather people who feel incredible about life, and enjoy encouraging others to utilize the gifts they have . . .be it $5.00, a hearing ear, a volunteer for any charity or an idea to make sandwiches for the homeless . . . should NEVER share it, but keep it secret so other people can feel like they are too poor or have nothing to give. No, don't let them (or us)encourage anyone to be kind! That would be wrong, obviously.

And I am sorry to have offended you so badly. I will gladly send you $5.00 if you feel jilted.

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