Is It Time For Performers To Renegotiate The 8 Show Week? — Page 2

I think in order for Broadway to be profitable, 8 shows a week will always be necessary.

That being said, I think it will become more normalized for actors to share roles and there to be alternates for roles. There are some role now that do it, but I could see it becoming a more regular occurrence. Especially in musicals. It's a hard gig. Thinking especially of parents of young children.

I will always feel sentimental about the tradition of an 8 show week - there was something nice about Bernadette, for example, stepping into Hello Dolly after the extended preview period with Bette Midler in the role (:p) and doing 8 shows - truly back where she belonged. However, in terms of health of the performers it does seem like the 8 show week is a bit much for certain roles. Bernadette shouldn’t have had to struggle so much physically and vocally in some of her runs and I think about extreme cases (eg Alice Ripley) and wonder whether the 8 show week destroyed her voice.

That said, I just hope that if it becomes the norm to have an alternate they do a bit better than the West End about being transparent who performs when - and good policies re: refund or exchange if you don’t see who is advertised. While maybe getting better I feel the West End is notoriously behind Broadway in terms of consumer rights. I would hate to see it erode.

Updated On: 10/16/21 at 04:07 AM

Tag said: "UncleCharlie said: "And I have to say at the risk of being unkind, almost all theater actors are just coming off a 19 month period of zero on stage work. To raise this issue of we're being worked too hard now, just feels a bit tone deaf to me."

The reason this is gaining traction now, is exactly because of this. Theater workers (btw it isn't just actors...) had this time off and got to see what having alife was likeaway from working 6 days a week. "

Have they not ever gotten to see what having a life was like before the pandemic all the times they were between shows for months at a time when they weren't working at all? That's my point. How many of the people involved with this prior to the pandemic were working 52 weeks a year, year after year after year? I'm guessing very few.

The Distinctive Baritone said:

Yes, some Broadway actors have lots of extra rehearsals etc. between shows. And if they have an issue with a 40 - 45 hour work week doing for a living wage what most people are willing to do for free, then maybe they should get another job.

WTF? Why pay actors in the first place? Why not hire people who will work for free? You are a teacher. There are many people who think teaching is a cushy job. The believe teacher work for nine month and then get a three month vacation!

Seriously it’s been a year and a half now of theatre people complaining online about how much they hate the theatre industry and although I get it, I’m so over hearing about it."

Many theatre people complain about the working conditions in the theatre and want to improve and make things better. How sad you don't understand this!

I think a bit of an issue here is that performers are co-opting issues being raised by other theater workers, who have their own set of challenges.

adotburr said: "JayElle said: "nasty_khakis said: "I have no problem with alternates as long as it's clearly advertised dates. You can't use actors in your ads "see the Tony-nominated performance!" but then put someone else on without warning (injuries and sick days happening day-of not withstanding)....taking a 50/50 shot when buying a ticket isn't worth the risk.(That's an example, I'm not sure if they have or will announce dates).

Totally agree. I bought Funny Girl tkts & now must exchange if it's true an alternate will perform matinees. I want to see Beanie, not an alternative.

Had same problem with Tina. Didn't think alternates equalled Adrienne Warren's performance. All I ask is notice of alternate. Has Hades announced her alternate?

"

Hadestown has announced the alternate and she’s already gone on as Persephone but has not released her schedule. At least that I can find anywhere. Considering Amber is out more than what the alternate will do anyway, the likelihood of seeing Amber is low. Just go in expecting to not see Amber and be surprised if she is on. So far this week she only did the Wednesday shows:

Lana (alternate) Tuesday

Afra (understudy) Thursday

Lana (alternate) Friday

Afra (understudy) Sunday)"

Why is Amber Gray out so much?

She had her last child in 2018 so I wouldn't say "just".

unclevictor said: "How to make an actor complain? Give em a job."

I hate to say it, but I think unclevictor has a point. Of course an 8 show week is grueling. But what's more grueling is being an actor who also works a full-time job and balances rehearsals and shows on top of that. Try working an 8 hour shift and then going straight to the theatre to do a leading role. At least in this case, the show IS their job. There are so many more difficult things than being in a show. Ask doctors and nurses if they want to renegotiate their work schedules, and their jobs are essential!

Agreed, Kip. It's a grind and most of us are just happy to be working.

My biggest peeve is having the work when everyone else is enjoying their holidays. My family is all engineers, so they never understand when I work weekends/holidays. But I enjoy performing, so for me it's not so much "work."

Maybe they should just do a split? Like each lead also does ensemble. So, take Wicked. We have 2 Elphabas, 2 Galindas. They each get 4 performances in the lead, and 4 performances in the ensemble. I know it's not really a "break," but ensemble will give them a break from having to wear their vocals out.

Hogan, nothing is “persuading me.” I simply meant that a 2 show day is not the same as a 12 hour shift in a hospital. When put into perspective, there are much harder jobs.

RippedMan - good point about the holidays. Alternating seems like a smart idea! I do think there are intelligent solutions to some of these issues. But as you said, it’s a grind!

Updated On: 10/16/21 at 09:30 PM

HogansHero said: "@Kip I think you might be surprised but that's not the point, which is that creating equations is not a meaningful way to assess things or negotiate. If that were the case, we'd make it about coal miners.

"

You assign far too much importance to opinions on message boards, yours included.