What do actors do to pay the rent in between shows?

#1

What do actors do to pay the rent in between shows?

Posted: 9/29/06 at 9:03pm

I understand most performers do solo gigs and benefits but, they couldn't have made to much off of that. Musicals take years from workshops to rehearsal to opening night. How do actors pay the rent between shows?

Updated On: 9/29/06 at 09:03 PM

#2

re: What do actors do to pay the rent in between shows?

Posted: 9/29/06 at 9:06pm

Prostitution.

#3

re: What do actors do to pay the rent in between shows?

Posted: 9/29/06 at 9:08pm

Come now - surely you've heard of the Broadway Babysitters Club?

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Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson

Updated On: 9/29/06 at 09:08 PM

#4

re: What do actors do to pay the rent in between shows?

Posted: 9/29/06 at 9:11pm

This is actually a good question. They probably just have multiple jobs.

Updated On: 9/29/06 at 09:11 PM

#5

re: What do actors do to pay the rent in between shows?

Posted: 9/29/06 at 9:12pm

"Prostitution."

I laughed out loud when I read that.

#6

re: What do actors do to pay the rent in between shows?

Posted: 9/29/06 at 9:15pm

Starbucks is an actors' best friend. Both sides of the counter.

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"Are you sorry for civilization? I am sorry for it too." ~Coast of Utopia: Shipwreck

Updated On: 9/29/06 at 09:15 PM

#7

re: What do actors do to pay the rent in between shows?

Posted: 9/29/06 at 10:34pm

Most either wait tables or temp at various business offices. I personally work in a call center...

#8

re: What do actors do to pay the rent in between shows?

Posted: 9/29/06 at 11:20pm

Some use to dance at THE GAITEY but it's gone now.
Bummer!

#9

re: What do actors do to pay the rent in between shows?

Posted: 9/29/06 at 11:25pm

Telemarketing (and pray a lot!)

#10

re: What do actors do to pay the rent in between shows?

Posted: 9/29/06 at 11:31pm

Mandi, I'm glad someone said that before I did. Is it sad that that's the first answer that came to mind?

#11

re: What do actors do to pay the rent in between shows?

Posted: 9/29/06 at 11:40pm

Most wait tables. There are also a few temp agencies that specifically find work for actors.

#12

re: What do actors do to pay the rent in between shows?

Posted: 9/29/06 at 11:44pm

yeah Dana Ivey served my breakfast the other day at IHOP.

#13

re: What do actors do to pay the rent in between shows?

Posted: 9/29/06 at 11:45pm

Wha twould a major broadway star do? I don't think I would see Michael Cerveris waiting tables.

Updated On: 9/29/06 at 11:45 PM

#14

re: What do actors do to pay the rent in between shows?

Posted: 9/29/06 at 11:47pm

Lucky ones do commercials and voiceover work, both of which can pay VERY well (better than a Broadway show in some cases).

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"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie [http://margochanning.broadwayworld.com/] "The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney

#15

re: What do actors do to pay the rent in between shows?

Posted: 9/29/06 at 11:49pm

"yeah Dana Ivey served my breakfast the other day at IHOP."


i practically spewed my iced tea all over the monitor.

#16

re: What do actors do to pay the rent in between shows?

Posted: 9/29/06 at 11:51pm

yeah Dana Ivey served my breakfast the other day at IHOP.

Ahhhh, now that gave me a good laugh.

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"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad

"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)

#17

re: What do actors do to pay the rent in between shows?

Posted: 9/29/06 at 11:54pm

Ha.

I actually saw Dana at a play reading this past weekend. She was wearing one of those little girly backpacks that I see on tourists a lot.

#18

re: What do actors do to pay the rent in between shows?

Posted: 9/29/06 at 11:58pm

Read this book. You'll read all about those in-between jobs...

http://www.allworth.com/Pages/PR_PA324.htm

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"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt

#19

re: What do actors do to pay the rent in between shows?

Posted: 9/30/06 at 12:10am

The stereotypical job is waiting tables or some form of food service

An actor's real job is auditioning. Booking a job is a gift.

Most actors can't afford to limit themselves to just one medium so most try to get as many other jobs in show business as possible, be it commercials or guest spots on television or being an extra in a movie or singing backup for jingles etc. Some even teach dance classes, voice lessons or become acting coaches


Not everyone is so lucky though and Making It on Broadway is an ESSENTIAL read for anyone who is even considering entering show business.

#20

re: What do actors do to pay the rent in between shows?

Posted: 9/30/06 at 12:13am

Those who are qualified teach...voice, acting, even some actual college classes. I know a few who have worked in Wal-Mart during a lull in their careers, two others who have second jobs one in an insurance agency, another as restaurant manager. I guess they do whatever they have to do to survive.

#21

re: What do actors do to pay the rent in between shows?

Posted: 9/30/06 at 12:22am

Law & Order

#22

re: What do actors do to pay the rent in between shows?

Posted: 9/30/06 at 12:38am

In LA every waiter you will have is an actor.

LA is home to the worlds most beautiful waiters.

#23

re: What do actors do to pay the rent in between shows?

Posted: 9/30/06 at 3:27am

"Law & Order"


Hahahahahaahahah!!!!

Updated On: 2/15/14 at 03:27 AM

#24

re: What do actors do to pay the rent in between shows?

Posted: 9/30/06 at 8:42am

"An actor's real job is auditioning. Booking a job is a gift."

Well said, broadwaystar2b.

"Survival jobs" depend on personal interest, additional skills, duration of unemployment, and many other factors. Some actors collect unemployment, and that can sustain them while auditioning. Other "survival jobs" include, personal training, teaching yoga (and other fitness classes), babysitting/nanny-ing, working trade shows/sample sales, modeling, dog-walking, catering...and the list goes on. Additionally, some actors have university degrees in other fields in which they might find "survival work."

Updated On: 9/30/06 at 08:42 AM

#25

re: What do actors do to pay the rent in between shows?

Posted: 9/30/06 at 8:44am

The first thing they do is go to the unemployment office; some have temp work, some wait tables, drive taxis, and yes, some do work as escorts: in the words of Mme Armfeldt, "it's a pleasurable means to a measurable end." And some actors and actresses were scorts before they became stars. So I've heard.