When a show closes, what does the ensemble do?

BwayDreamer00 said: "Do they literally face reality and collect unemployment or…do some of them get lucky and get performance jobs off the bat?"

Yes.

They usually go to a bar

If the show is closing and a national tour is starting, a few members of ensemble who don't mind the travel schedule opt to do that.

Most if not all stay unemployed for a while if not years till the next job or just leave the business

I'm a huge Groundhog Day fan. When the show was running, I followed a lot of the cast of their social media, and have kept up since. So just for fun (and a sample), here's what happened to the ensemble of one show post-closure a year and a half ago:

(Also, the below are just what I remember off the top of my head while avoiding work, I'm sure I'm missing a lot of projects)

Vishal Vaidya (Larry): Did Dave in DC, still involved in the workshops

John Sanders (Ned Ryerson): I think he's about to be in something, don't remember what

Rebecca Faulkenberry (Nancy Taylor): Has done various TV and movies, at one point was attached to some new musical.

Gerard Canonico (Fred): Currently in a principal role in Be More Chill

Katy Geraghty (Debbie): Did a regional production of Hairspray, currently starring in the Oregon Shakespeare Festival production of Hairspray.

Raymond J. Lee (Ralph): Did Soft Power out of town, has been involved in a bunch of readings and concerts

Andrew Call (Gus): Played King George in the Chicago cast of Hamilton for a while (not sure if he's still there?)

Rheaume Crenshaw (Doris): Currently in the Waitress tour as Nurse Norma

Josh Lamon (Buster): Currently in The Prom in a principal role

Sean Montgomery (The Sheriff): Did Jagged Little Pill out of town, in the ensemble of Beetlejuice

Travis Waldschmidt (Jeff): Was in the Hello Dolly ensemble/swing until it closed, currently a swing for Kiss Me Kate

Michael Fatica (The Chubby Man): Currently in The Cher Show ensemble

Tari Kelly (Piano Teacher): Currently playing the Dowager Countess in the Anastasia tour

Taylor Iman Jones (Lady Storm Chaser): Was a principal in Head Over Heels until it closed

Not sure what they're up to: Heather Ayers (Mrs. Lancaster), Jenna Rubaii (Joelle), Joseph Medeiros (The Deputy), William Parry (Jenson), the swings



All of this is to say that I don't envy musical theater performers their profession. As someone with a 9-5 office job, I don't think I could deal with the uncertainty. "What I Did For Love" and all that.

Bettyboy72 said: "The reactivate their Scruff and Grindr accounts."

I heard they are given your contact information.

A Director said: "Kitsune said:

All of this is to saythat I don't envy musical theater performers their profession. As someone with a 9-5 office job, I don't think I could deal with the uncertainty. "What I Did For Love" and all that."

This is also true of actors who are in non-musicals.

"

My mistake, obviously people who work in non-musical theater are in the same boat. As are artists/performers in general.

AEA AGMA SM said: "Bettyboy72 said: "The reactivate their Scruff and Grindr accounts."

Please, like they ever deactivated them"

Is there an alternate universe where women have these accounts too?

HogansHero said: "AEA AGMA SM said: "Bettyboy72 said: "The reactivate their Scruff and Grindr accounts."

Please, like they ever deactivated them"

Is there an alternate universe where women have these accounts too?"

And I always thought you were a man. Motto--don't believe an avatar.