What happens when a play closes before the actors' contract are up
What happens when a play closes before the actors' contract are up
lmw8880
Understudy Joined: 7/21/07
#1What happens when a play closes before the actors' contract are up
Posted: 6/23/08 at 7:35pmI know the cast of "Xanadu" recently extended their contracts. Let's say tomorrow they announce the show will close by the end of the month (I hope not! I'm trying to go see it again in the middle of September!). What happens to the actor's contracts? Do they still get paid for the length of their contracts even though it isn't fulfilled? Does nothing happen? I am just curious.
#2re: What happens when a play closes before the actors' contract are up
Posted: 6/23/08 at 7:36pmThey don't get paid if the show is closed...
#2re: What happens when a play closes before the actors' contract are up
Posted: 6/23/08 at 7:36pmAll contracts are 'run of play'
lmw8880
Understudy Joined: 7/21/07
#3re: What happens when a play closes before the actors' contract are up
Posted: 6/23/08 at 7:37pmThat was what I was thinking...thanks for answering!
#4re: What happens when a play closes before the actors' contract are up
Posted: 6/23/08 at 10:19pm
The only ways I know in which an actor gets paid for the entirety of their contract are:
1) If they fulfill their contract.
2) If the producers decide to recast the part...they "buy out" the actor by paying them everything their contract states they're owed.
#5re: What happens when a play closes before the actors' contract are up
Posted: 6/23/08 at 10:21pmIsn't number one a bit obvious really??
#6re: What happens when a play closes before the actors' contract are up
Posted: 6/23/08 at 11:49pm
OK there is some oversimplification in this thread so let me try to clear some things up. There is a reason that a Producer has to post a closing notice within a certain time. It serves as notice to, not only the audience, but all of the employees that the show is going to close on a certain date. As long as the correct notice is given, the producer is under no obligation to pay out any salaries after the show closes.
Also - All contracts under the jurisdiction of Actors Equity Association are bonded. That means that the Producer, in order to secure a contract with the union, has to put up a bond(usually 2 weeks salary) that guarantees the contract. This is to protect the actor in case the producer runs out of money, closes the show without notice, or for a multitude of other reasons stops the production. An extreme example would be if you were offered a 6 month deal and signed the contract and the producer decided to stop the show in rehearsal, you would get paid out at least 2 weeks out of the bond as severance since you re-arranged your life to be working for 6 months. Contracts are only usually only "Bought out" when there is a casting change being made for a reason other than a firing offense. An example of this can be when a developing show is picked up for a Broadway run and the producers decide to go with a bankable star in a certain role rather than use the person who did the workshops (this specific instance happens quite often).
These are only a few of the benefits that performing under a contract with Actors Equity Association affords performers.
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