Vanity Fair on Broadway's Reopening - "Not Until There's a F**king Vaccine"- Page 4

[SmoothLover]

Posted: 5/26/20 at 4:20am

Pay cuts will have to come from upper management and many positions will have to be combined or furloughed. The salaries in those positions are astounding. Staffing will not be as expensive because less people will be needed.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 5/26/20 at 7:19am

Islander_fan said: "First off, unlike other positions on Broadway, ushers aren't hired or have anything to do with production staff of a given show. We are employed by who owns the house. You work at the Majestic, you're an employee of The Shubert Organization. That's the name that's on the check. You work at The Minskoff, you're an employee of Nederlander. So, I don't see how this comes into play with what St. Martin is talking about in that article. And, Fosse, for whatever it's worth, we aren't paid that well. We do more than just seat people.

The usher salaries are line items in a show's payment to the theater. They are not included in the rent. So while Shubert employees receive checks "signed" by Bob Wenkel, the money comes from the show. As do the costs of any specific requests to changes in uniforms. 

Also, the ushers' collective bargaining agreement is between their Union and the League (like all other theatrical unions), so it is exactly on point. 

Ushers receive very decent pay considering the work they do: they are paid for a 4.5-hour shift, though the shift is generally shorter than that. House "regulars," at most, work 24 hours in a week, but are paid for 36 hours (this does not include any supplemental shifts they pick up at other houses or OT for shows longer than 3 hours). Shorter shows make the pay even better: for example, the ushers at Come from Away get paid for 36 hours per week (assuming they work all 8 performances), but are only at work for a maximum of 18 hours per week. I did the math, and at minimum ushers are paid $25/hour. The aforementioned Come from Away ushers are making $34/hour. That's not bad at all. And they are certainly better paid than most other similarly situated jobs. 

Can they be paid better, sure, who couldn't? But let's not pretend they aren't paid well for the time they work. It is certainly at the high end of the scale for that kind of work. And thanks to the unemployment "bonus" due to COVID-19, the ushers eligible for unemployment are making more money now than if the theaters were open. 

So yes, St. Martin is including all theater employees in her statement. 

[SmoothLover]

Posted: 5/26/20 at 8:02am

I do not think pay scales should change but perhaps union rules about the number of employees needed to run a show could be re-examined. Stage hands could be stream lined as well as the front of the house staff. Upper management could take cuts and production designs could be stream lined. Security guards could be lessened as well.

Ushers are paid well for what they do but they are committed to working 6 days a week (if they are lucky to have a full time position) and though some shifts are shorter, their shifts regulate their days and personal lives. Some theatres pay better than others and the non profits are on the lower end of the scale. Many ushers are on Obama care which gives you an idea of their annual income. I think this is because houses have only so many full time ushers and the rest of the staffing is filled with subs.

Perhaps overtime and holiday pay could be lessened with everyone employed.

Performers make good money and porters make over 100 dollars a show. The stage crew makes much more and their jobs are hard to come by.

I think all productions will need to be done on a smaller scale affecting all employed.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 5/26/20 at 9:31am

SmoothLover said: "Pay cuts will have to come from upper management and many positions will have to be combined or furloughed. The salaries in those positions are astounding. Staffing will not be as expensive because less people will be needed."

We are talking about Broadway here. What "upper management"? What "positions"? Why would less people be needed? Let's try to think clearly even in these tough times. 

And your other post betrays a truly insignificant lack of understanding that could be characterized as back seat driving. (As does every word here about ushers.)

[mailhandler777]

Posted: 5/26/20 at 9:48am

Fosse76 said: "Islander_fan said: "First off, unlike other positions on Broadway, ushers aren't hired or have anything to do with production staff of a given show. We are employed by who owns the house. You work at the Majestic, you're an employee of The Shubert Organization. That's the name that's on the check. You work at The Minskoff, you're an employee of Nederlander. So, I don't see how this comes into play with what St. Martin is talking about in that article. And, Fosse, for whatever it's worth, we aren't paid that well. We do more than just seat people.

The usher salaries are line items in a show's payment to the theater. They are not included in the rent. So while Shubert employees receive checks "signed" by Bob Wenkel, the money comes from the show. As do the costs of any specific requests to changes in uniforms.

Also, the ushers' collective bargaining agreement is between their Union and the League (like all other theatrical unions), so it is exactly on point.

Ushers receive very decent pay consideringthe work they do: they are paid for a 4.5-hour shift, though the shift is generally shorter than that. House "regulars," at most, work 24 hours in a week, but are paid for 36 hours(this does not includeany supplemental shifts they pick up at other houses or OT for shows longer than 3 hours). Shorter showsmake the pay even better: for example, the ushers at Come from Away get paid for 36 hours per week (assuming they work all 8 performances), but are only at work for a maximum of 18 hours per week. I did the math, and at minimum ushers are paid $25/hour. The aforementioned Come from Away ushers are making $34/hour. That's not bad at all. And they are certainly better paid than most other similarly situated jobs.

Can they be paid better, sure, who couldn't? But let's not pretend they aren't paid well for the time they work.It is certainly at the high end of the scale for that kind of work. And thanks to the unemployment "bonus" due to COVID-19, the ushers eligible for unemployment are making more money now than if the theaters were open.

So yes, St. Martin is including all theater employees in her statement."

Jeez they make more then I do working for the USPS busting my butt 40hrs a week. But I don't have to deal with rude people either in my job.

[Kad]

Posted: 5/26/20 at 9:49am

Cost-cutting will probably come in the form of the size and type of productions being put on, which will result in fewer jobs across much of the board. That is a more efficient and easier way to save money than just cutting salaries, which would just amount to nothing more than minor trimming at best.

Also, smaller productions will be easily touted as being “safer” for those working on them- which will be true.

[SmoothLover]

Posted: 5/26/20 at 10:44am

HogansHero said: "SmoothLover said: "Pay cuts will have to come from upper management and many positions will have to be combined or furloughed. The salaries in those positions are astounding. Staffing will not be as expensive because less people will be needed."

We are talking about Broadway here. What "upper management"? What "positions"? Why would less people be needed? Let's try to think clearly even in these tough times.

And your other post betrays a truly insignificant lack of understanding that could be characterized as back seat driving. (As does every word here about ushers.)"

Upper management was in reference to non profits. Like an artistic director position or an office manager. Or people who work within the organizations that run the Broadway theatres.

I don’t recall saying anything untrue about ushers and the subtext was that they are paid less than most other positions in the theatre. 

Less front of house people would be needed because of fewer patrons. They might not be a need to sell all the house leaving some areas closed nor have to use all of the front doors thus not needing as many ticket takers. I am talking about when theaters reopen and ticket sales are slow.



 


Your reaction to my post was quite dramatic and one has to wonder why. I get that you think I am an idiot but you seemed to take my thoughts personally. Your posts tend to be condescending so I guess I am not surprised. I am glad I do not know you.
 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

Updated On: 5/26/20 at 10:44 AM

[SmoothLover]

Posted: 5/26/20 at 10:50am

The ushers are not the only ones getting the unemployment bonus. Other theatre workers are receiving it as well. Restaurant and retail workers are getting it too and making more than they usually do. Their jobs however, will come back long before the theatre workers. The extra money ends July 31 and theatre workers will need the money to pay bills through the winter.

This is a bit off track but I know a senior who worked in a school cafeteria 10 hours a week making 10 dollars an hour. She is getting 600 a week with the unemployment bonus. The government could have averaged earnings and made up the difference up to 600 dollars but I guess it was quicker and easier to just give everyone who filed the same amount.









 

Updated On: 5/26/20 at 10:50 AM

[KKeller6]

Posted: 5/26/20 at 11:32am

The interesting quote is " why would less people be needed".
That's the entire idea of what Im concerned about. He isn't, and that's fine. Maybe he'll be correct. But estimates out there have economists saying 42% of all those laid off, or furloughed will not be rehired. Why would Broadway be any different?
And it's clearly not an impossible task for shows to do this, up, and down the line. In what you call ,"upper management" as well. Shows have General managers, company managers, assistant company managers assistants to the producers...
You're telling me NONE of these jobs can be streamlined? Of course you are correct. They can.

[KKeller6]

Posted: 5/26/20 at 11:32am

The interesting quote is " why would less people be needed".
That's the entire idea of what Im concerned about. He isn't, and that's fine. Maybe he'll be correct. But estimates out there have economists saying 42% of all those laid off, or furloughed will not be rehired. Why would Broadway be any different?
And it's clearly not an impossible task for shows to do this, up, and down the line. In what you call ,"upper management" as well. Shows have General managers, company managers, assistant company managers assistants to the producers...
You're telling me NONE of these jobs can be streamlined? Of course you are correct. They can.

[Theater3232]

Posted: 5/26/20 at 2:19pm

Do they intend to still sell concessions if people wear masks?  I imagine sales would be way down if people wear masks, which would severely hurt the theater's bottom line.

I guess people would need to temporarily lift the mask to eat/drink. I've read COVID can spread just by breathing. Will fellow theatergoers be comfortable being next to someone who's temporarily removing the mask to eat/drink?

How would a "socially distanced" restroom line look at intermission?  It typically already goes from the orchestra, all the way up to the mezzanine.  Would the line be out the door & outside?  Will intermissions be removed?

Bottom line, until there is a vaccine, treatment, and/or herd immunity, I don't think Broadway can re-open.

[itsjustmejonhotmailcom]

Posted: 5/26/20 at 3:17pm

Theater3232 said: "Do they intend to still sell concessions if people wear masks? I imagine sales would be way down if people wear masks, which would severely hurt the theater's bottom line."

I think you're grossly overestimating how much theater owners make from selling concessions. Concessions (for the theater owners) and merch (the owners and the shows) contribute relatively little to the bottom line.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/26/20 at 3:21pm

If ANYTHING good can come from this, let’s hope it’s the end of ice filled cups and plastic bags of candy in the theatre.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 5/26/20 at 3:24pm

Theater3232 said: "Bottom line, until there is a vaccine, treatment, and/or herd immunity, I don't think Broadway can re-open."

I agree and that underpins what I said above. Specifically, I do not expect there to be a reduction in staff when Broadway shows start up again, which in turn is what underpinned SmoothLover's observation. (I think we can have a discussion somewhere about whether executives in general are overpaid, but I don't think that really fits into this discussion. Regarding KKeller6's statements about "streamlining," no I do not think there is any significant cutting to be had in those jobs (also unrelated to this discussion), and I think if they understood how hard those people work, they would not say that.)

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/26/20 at 3:40pm

So they’re “hoping” for a January reopening, will that mean they’ll start advertising that soon and selling tickets? It’s already almost June and they’re going to need a lot of time to have to have some kind of advance.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 5/26/20 at 3:53pm

Jordan Catalano said: "So they’re “hoping” for a January reopening, will that mean they’ll start advertising that soon and selling tickets? It’s already almost June and they’re going to need a lot of time to have to have some kind of advance."

There is no "they." That notion is St. Martin going rogue. No person who would have to actually pay or do anything thinks this at all, and of course she is only "hoping," kinda like you and I might think something that would be labelled wishful thinking or a pipe dream or delusional. 

[Luminaire2]

Posted: 5/26/20 at 4:08pm

Did everyone see this image going around from a theatre in Berlin. The new future for a while.

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=2624867451058068&set=a.1924395441105276

Updated On: 5/26/20 at 04:08 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/26/20 at 4:16pm

That’s so bizarre.

[Islander_fan]

Posted: 5/26/20 at 4:34pm

A few things. And, before I get started, just so you know where I’m coming from. I’ve worked front of house on Broadway for the past five years.


@smoothlover. Your comment about how theatres would need less ushers due to selling less tickets is far from accurate and illogical. Simply put, it’s the same concept as if a theatre closed off its balcony due to lack of ticket sales there. They aren’t going to send the ushers who are stationed in the balcony home simply because they closed it off. It doesn’t work like that, they would instead move them elsewhere in the theatre. And, every theatre has its own number of ushers that must be there for all performances. That is why they have substitute ushers if that was not the case, then sub ushers wouldn’t be needed in the first place.

And Fosse, we don’t get paid by the hour, we get paid a standard rate per shift/show. It doesn’t matter if the show they are working is a one act or a full length two and a half hour show. An usher working at Come from Away would make the same amount for their shift as say, if they were working across the street at Dear Evan Hansen.

[uncageg]

Posted: 5/26/20 at 5:05pm

Luminaire2 said: "Did everyone see this image going around from a theatre in Berlin. The new future for a while.

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=2624867451058068&set=a.1924395441105276"

 

Saw this on overseas news. Also, Japan has started social distancing in theaters. They have not removed seats but their seating of patrons looks a lot like what they are doing in Berlin.

 

[Fosse76]

Posted: 5/27/20 at 2:56am

Islander_fan said: "And Fosse, we don’t get paid by the hour, we get paid a standard rate per shift/show. It doesn’t matter if the show they are working is a one act or a full length two and a half hour show. An usher working at Come from Away would make the same amount for their shift as say, if they were working across the street at Dear Evan Hansen. "

I never said they did get paid per hour (though the shift rate is absolutely based on a per hour salary in order to calculate OT).   I specifically said they get paid per shift. The usher at Come from Away only has to work 3 hours total whereas the usher at Dear Evan Hansen has to work almost four hours to earn the same amount. That works out to $25/hour for the CFA usher, and $19/hour for the DEH usher. If the usher does  all 8 performances,  the CFA usher ends up with the equivalent of $34/hour and the DEG usher ends up with the equivalent of $25/hour. That's pretty good pay. 

 

[Fosse76]

Posted: 5/27/20 at 3:15am

SmoothLover said: "Ushers are paid well for what they do but they are committed to working 6 days a week (if they are lucky to have a full time position) and though some shifts are shorter,their shifts regulate their days and personal lives."

That's every job on earth,  what's your point?

"Some theatres pay better than others and the non profits are on the lower end of the scale."

We were specifically talking about Broadway and whether or not it confirmed with St. Martin's statement about Broadway pay. 

"Many ushers are on Obama care which gives you an idea of their annual income."

Not really relevant.  And ushers receive healthcare options once they've earned a certain amount of money for tge year,  and it's tiered. I believe the healthcare options for many of the other theatrical unions are also based on reaching certain earnings thresholds. 

I think this is because houses have only so many full time ushers and the rest of the staffing is filled with subs.

Sub ushers are only needed when a "regular" usher is unavailable. Obviously they make less and likely don't meet any income thresholds. 

Perhaps overtime and holiday pay could be lessened with everyone employed.

There's not one union on Broadway that would make that concession.

"Performers make good money and porters make over100 dollars a show. The stage crew makes much more and their jobs are hard to come by."

All jobs on Broadway are hard to come by.

"I think all productions will need to be done on a smaller scale affecting all employed."

Theaters will not reopen until social distancing is relaxed. Broadway financials and the size of the theaters prevent enforcement of these social distancing measures.  A show like Chicago or Come from Away might be profitable at 50% capacity,  but Wicked, forget it.

[Islander_fan]

Posted: 5/27/20 at 5:40am

I am a sub, and, I am fortunate to get, on a given week either all 8 possible shifts, or pretty damn close. That said, I still qualify for medical. The union doesn't treat subs any differently than a regular usher.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 5/27/20 at 10:17pm

itsjustmejonhotmailcom said: "Theater3232 said: "Do they intend to still sell concessions if people wear masks? I imagine sales would be way down if people wear masks, which would severely hurt the theater's bottom line."

I think you're grossly overestimatinghow much theater owners make from selling concessions. Concessions (for the theater owners) and merch (the owners and the shows) contribute relatively little to the bottom line."

Theatres make a tremendous amount of money from concessions. It’s $30 for a cocktail for god sake. While it may not be their biggest source of income, it would hurt them a great deal to lose that line of income. It’s pads the coffers very nicely  

 

[itsjustmejonhotmailcom]

Posted: 5/28/20 at 1:29pm

KKeller6 said: "The interesting quote is " why would less people be needed".
That's the entire idea of what Im concerned about. He isn't, and that's fine. Maybe he'll be correct. But estimates out there have economists saying 42% of all those laid off, or furloughed will not be rehired. Why would Broadway be any different?
And it's clearly not an impossible task for shows to do this, up, and down the line. In what you call ,"upper management" as well. Shows have General managers, company managers, assistant company managers assistants to the producers...
You're telling me NONE of these jobs can be streamlined? Of course you are correct. They can."

Company managers belong to ATPAM/IATSE and aren't going anywhere. And it would be tough to run a show without a GM, although an experienced producer could do that him/herself I guess. If an assistant to the producer is on the show payroll, that isn't an ethical producer.