Is It Time For Performers To Renegotiate The 8 Show Week?- Page 3

[Kip4]

Posted: 10/16/21 at 10:08pm

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. 

[unclevictor]

Posted: 10/17/21 at 12:53am

Kip4 said: "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."

Preach!! 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 10/17/21 at 3:44am

Agreed. We're just having a convo, not presenting these ideas to a council. 

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 10/17/21 at 7:42am

Hmm, it’s so interesting to me that this issue is being framed here in the context of Broadway shows only. Presumably those in Broadway shows are actually the most reasonably compensation for an 8 show week. Even the lowest paid ensemble member or swing on Broadway is making twice more (usually MORE than twice as much) as an actor doing 8 shows a week off Broadway, and in most regional theaters. That’s where this issue really becomes a problem for me.

But if this is a labor issue Equity wishes to attack, I’d suggest they look at other types of contracts first. LOAs, SPTs, and dresser Equity showcase codes, to me, are FAR more exploitative of actors than a Broadway one. Actors in all of those contracts—unless they are rich, have extraordinary savings built up, or have all of their living expenses covered—are probably working part time or full time jobs to make a living while attempting to do 20-30+ hours a week of rehearsal, etc. I never understood how this is allowed.

Anyway, for Broadway shows, alternated for taxing roles always seemed like a great idea. It’s absolutely insane to me that anyone would have to do Elphaba 8 times a week. I don’t know how the vocal chords of those women survive it. But I don’t think 8 shows a week is too much to ask of most roles.