When/How Do Actors In a Running Show Start Looking For Other Work?
When/How Do Actors In a Running Show Start Looking For Other Work?
MOXIEINTHECITY
Broadway Star Joined: 5/11/06
#0When/How Do Actors In a Running Show Start Looking For Other Work?
Posted: 7/26/06 at 8:32pm
Recent discussions have me curious.
Say an actor* is in a show and it runs for a while. Are they guaranteed work or is it possible that they'd go back to being a swing in another show or doing something non-theatre related all together?
What do they do between shows/gigs? Are they allowed to audition for other shows while starring in one? At what piint do they usually leave a show?
*Not an established (i.e. Lupone) level actor, say a newbie (i.e. Daniel Reichard or Manoel Felciano.)
AvenueQPat
Stand-by Joined: 5/9/04
#1re: When/How Do Actors In a Running Show Start Looking For Other Work?
Posted: 7/26/06 at 9:08pm
I assume you are talking about Broadway Shows?
A lot of times, you will know somebody involved in a new production, and they will ask you to come with them to the new show.
In regards to specific auditions - the Actors contracts will let them audition for other shows whenever they want. I think that is why there are so many 10 AM calls on days other than Wednesday and Saturday. Most Regional theatres that come into the city have Monday auditions or daytime auditions that don't conflict with most peoples show scedules.
I once had a guy who was in the ensemble of a Broadway show come audition for a regional theatre to do Will Parker in Oklahoma - so the possibilities are out there to do other things.
I would not say you are guaranteed a job back with the theatre, but if you work hard and have consistent performances, I don't see why they wouldn't bring you back when there is anothr opening.
You learn to play the straight man, the lines become routine - never really saying what you mean - but i know the scene will change :)
#2re: When/How Do Actors In a Running Show Start Looking For Other Work?
Posted: 7/26/06 at 9:15pm
I've worked with many Broadway performers in regional theatre. It's pretty much like any job - you have vacation and you allowed to look for a better gig.
I also guess it depends on their contract as well. If they got another job before the contract was up, then they would have to break the contract and I don't think that would put them in a good light with the current show they were in.
This is Harvard, not a stripper bar...
#3re: When/How Do Actors In a Running Show Start Looking For Other Work?
Posted: 7/26/06 at 10:33pmAlso, a good agent/mgr. will do the looking and submitting in behalf of their client while he/she is working in a show.
www.pbentertainmentinc.com
BWW regional writer "Philadelphia/South Jersey"
wickedrentq
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/6/04
#4re: When/How Do Actors In a Running Show Start Looking For Other Work?
Posted: 7/26/06 at 10:46pmI've been learning quite a bit about these situations and other stuff from interning with a casting agency this summer. Sometimes, actors have outs in their Broadway contracts--if they get cast in another show, movie, etc, they can opt out of their current Broadway contract. But only some actors get this--quite a few couldn't even audition, knowing they didn't have outs in their contract.
"If there was a Mount Rushmore for Broadway scores, "West Side Story" would be front and center. It snaps, it crackles it pops! It surges with a roar, its energy and sheer life undiminished by the years" - NYPost reviewer Elisabeth Vincentelli
erinrebecca
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/29/04
#5re: When/How Do Actors In a Running Show Start Looking For Other Work?
Posted: 7/26/06 at 11:45pmLots of Broadway actors audition regularly. This is how many get cast in new shows while currently working.
Videos