Non-NY based actors & Broadway

[jennafan]

Posted: 11/18/09 at 5:54am

Ok, so I know for out of town Broadway try outs and tours, the actors have their living spaces during the run paid for.

But, I am curious about actors who don't live in NY but get in a Broadway show. Are their lofts during the run of the show paid for or does it come out whatever salary they get? I guess I'm especially wondering about limited run shows.

Just curious

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 11/18/09 at 7:54am

This is really no different than someone getting any other job in a different state. Unless the actor can get a clause in their contract for paid housing, I don't see why they would get paid housing. Producers might be willing to write in a clause if the actor is desirable for the role. This may be the case with a celebrity.

Updated On: 11/18/09 at 07:54 AM

[MusicSnob1]

Posted: 11/18/09 at 11:08am

Unless you're a STAR (or close enough to it), then no - you don't get housing provided by Broadway production companies.

eta: as an example... a couple of the kids in Broadway cast of Spring Awakening still lived at home, which was in Connecticut. 45 to 60 minute commute. They would take the train in every day to do the show. Not sure if they were reimbursed for travel but, nontheless, it's confirmation that most people don't get housing provided.

Updated On: 11/18/09 at 11:08 AM

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 11/18/09 at 11:32am

I remember seeing Michael McCormick (Curtains) on the New Haven line of the MTA-Metro North train on two separate occasions. So, yes, it isn't uncommon for people to commute. This is another indication that shows don't typically provide housing for people in shows.

[trombonist]

Posted: 11/18/09 at 11:38am

I may be wrong, but I think the OP is asking about those who come in from OUT OF TOWN - like hours away. Not people who live in NJ, CT, on Long Island, etc. Obviously those people are close enough to commute just as anyone else who lives there and works in the city would commute.

I think they are referring to people who normally live in someplace like Chicago, Los Angeles, London, etc. and come in for a show, particularly a limited run.

I don't know how payment works out, but I would imagine someone affiliated with the production would help the actor to at least find a place to live.

[AC126748]

Posted: 11/18/09 at 11:41am

In that case, the answer is generally no. A friend of mine got a Broadway show a few years ago and relocated from Seattle for the duration of the run, on his own dime. That's usually how it goes. The few times that I've heard of actors being put up by producers/theatre companies have involved foreign actors doing limited runs.

[trombonist]

Posted: 11/18/09 at 12:51pm

Do they have assistance FNDING a place? Or are they expected to do that and rehearse all at the same time?

[Tom1071]

Posted: 11/18/09 at 1:38pm

When some New York actors went out to Los Angeles for the West Coast mounting of Wicked they had to pay for their own housing and were not given per diem because LA was the point of origin for that contract. Same with the Chicago companies of Wicked and Jersey Boys. I think it would be the same thing for actors that move here to be a part of a production.

As stated by other posters, there are certain exceptions particularly involving actors from the UK who are here for a limited run. They are provided housing and per diem.

Another exception is Las Vegas. I know several people from NY who did shows in Las Vegas like We Will Rock You, Spamalot, The Producers, and Phantom who had housing provided as well as per diem but I think it was because of the type of contract they were on. Anyone who was actually from Las Vegas who already had a residence there did not receive any additional compensation.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 11/18/09 at 2:05pm

The casino contract includes housing and a company car.

[blaxx]

Posted: 11/18/09 at 2:25pm

I think they are referring to people who normally live in someplace like Chicago, Los Angeles, London, etc. and come in for a show, particularly a limited run.

I don't know how payment works out, but I would imagine someone affiliated with the production would help the actor to at least find a place to live.

I remember reading an interview with Bianca Marroquin, where she said that, coming from Mexico, she assumed she'd have a place to stay and figured out when she got there that there was not such thing. Nor she she got any help in finding a place, she had to stay with a friend of hers.

[Tom1071]

Posted: 11/18/09 at 3:10pm

Didn't the producers of Caroline, or Change buy Tonya Pinkins a house in New Jersey as part of her contract negotiations when she didn't want to agree to the favored nations contract where everyone in the show was being paid the same ($2000 per week)?

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 11/18/09 at 4:39pm

"Ok, so I know for out of town Broadway try outs and tours, the actors have their living spaces during the run paid for."


No. They don't.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 11/18/09 at 4:48pm

$2000 a week? DAMN.

[MusicSnob1]

Posted: 11/18/09 at 5:00pm

I mean. That's barely above minimum, basically.

Wow. $2,000?? I guess those negotiations make sense then.

[singtopher]

Posted: 11/18/09 at 6:26pm

"Ok, so I know for out of town Broadway try outs and tours, the actors have their living spaces during the run paid for."

At least for Tours they are given a substantial per diem out of which they pay for their housing. Often actors on tours that have the luxury of being in cities for more than a couple weeks sublet apartments.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 11/18/09 at 6:29pm

No. They don't.

Don't they at the La Jolla Playhouse?

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 11/18/09 at 10:30pm

Out of town tryouts will be different depending on the situation. For a show that is part of a regional theatre's season, then yes, under the LORT contract (for a show at La Jolla for instance) the actors will receive housing. For something like The Addams Family, where it is not part of a LORT theatre's season, then the standard per diem rules of the Production contract will apply.