actors during strike
actors during strike
#1actors during strike
Posted: 11/10/07 at 11:15amWhat do the performers in all of the shows affected do during the strike?
BrodyFosse123
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/27/06
#2re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/10/07 at 11:17am
Hang-out at each other's apartments, drink beer and get high.
Well...at least most do (from what I've been told). 
Dancers especially LOVE their booze and ciggies.
#2re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/10/07 at 11:21amhaha ok well thats kind of what I figured. I just didn't know if they had to some sort of responsibility or something. But I kind of figured they just have off to do whatever.
#3re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/10/07 at 11:26amare actors still payed if they're not working because of the strike? maybe a stupid question... but what is the AE ruling on this? is there one?
that's a really big mic...
MargoChanning
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/5/04
#4re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/10/07 at 11:32amNo the actors are not paid. Equity has instructed its members to show up and sign-in at their respective theaters and encouraged their members to join the picket line in solidarity with the stagehands against the League.
"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie
[http://margochanning.broadwayworld.com/]
"The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney
henryt
Broadway Star Joined: 7/26/07
#5re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/10/07 at 12:42pmCorrect me if I'm wrong, but my understanding is that if the actors cross the picket line and "perform"(sit in their dressing rooms and do nothing for 3 hours), they still have to be paid, but if they honor the picket line, they don't get paid.
BwayInsider
Chorus Member Joined: 7/18/07
#6re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/10/07 at 12:53pmThe fact that the actors are standing by the stage hands is pathetic. The stage hands would never, i repeat, never stand behind the actors!
bardolator
Featured Actor Joined: 3/8/06
#7re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/10/07 at 1:02pm^^^ But if you believe something is right, shouldn't you do it because it's right, not because you think it will be reciprocated?
Switz78
Featured Actor Joined: 12/9/04
MargoChanning
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/5/04
#9re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/10/07 at 1:03pm
Well, Equity would never authorize their members to cross this picket line, so the point is moot.
I do believe that by signing in for each performance, the actors are eligible for strike pay from the union, which is basically similar to unemployment. Not sure how much that is exactly, but probably not more than a few hundred dollars a week (someone please correct me if I'm wrong). I know regular unemployment pay from NY State caps at a little over $400.
"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie
[http://margochanning.broadwayworld.com/]
"The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney
outovfashion07
Broadway Star Joined: 1/17/06
#10re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/10/07 at 2:24pmYeah, whatever they are paid it's not that great (not that their regular salary is). I have a friend who is semi freaking out because she just moved up there and was just starting a show when this happened.
#11re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/10/07 at 2:31pmIf it is a locked out show she should be able to get unemployment. Hopefully it won't last too long but she should also look for temp work to back her up, just in case.
ShbrtAlley44
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/1/03
#12re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/10/07 at 3:40pmWe had a cocktail mixer of a strike outside Curtains :)
MovieGuy1031
Broadway Star Joined: 11/13/06
#13re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/10/07 at 3:41pmHahaha - ShbrtAlley, you make my day.
"The nice thing about the rain is that it always stops... eventually."
- Eeyore
- Eeyore
#14re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/10/07 at 3:46pmPatrick Page was practically sitting on the sidewalk signing The Grinch Playbills for a crowd of tiny tiny children when I walked by there earlier today, it was possibly the most adorable thing ever.
#15re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/10/07 at 4:16pm
Bway insider, Although as an actor I support the Stage hands in this present struggle, I somewhat agree with your statement. During Equity's last round of negotiations with the league over the production contract talks were breaking down over the non-eq touring issue. My thought at the time (and still is) was that key to getting back the road was to get IATSE to fully stand behind Equity by telling the producers that they will not work non-eq tours. That would virtually eliminate Non-union productions from playing the major markets around the country.
Since Equity is honoring its Brothers and Sisters in IATSE I think that IATSE should do the same on a national level.
Other than that, did you enjoy the play Mrs Lincoln?
#16re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/10/07 at 4:29pmIt's a great idea for actors/singers/dancers to be hanging out outside picketing in this weather. Fabulous. This just gets better and better.
Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson
JustAGuy
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/20/03
#17re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/10/07 at 4:47pmBut it would probably be okay if they were on a float in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade? Or, performing in Herald Square, in this weather?
"Just a Guy. Your feelings are touching. I am gladdened by the thought that you will one day wind up 6 feet under as we all do." - MrRoxy ------
"I do not suggest you walk out the door onto a New York street with your vulnerable child part exposed and not protected..." - Jason Bennett
#18re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/10/07 at 4:50pm
Did I say it was? Not really a comparison anyway as the parade is a one time thing. This could go on for many days and weeks.
Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson
Updated On: 11/10/07 at 04:50 PM
JustAGuy
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/20/03
#19re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/10/07 at 4:55pmAnd they could opt not to participate in the picket lines, if they felt that it would somehow endanger their health. No one is forcing them to participate in picketing.
"Just a Guy. Your feelings are touching. I am gladdened by the thought that you will one day wind up 6 feet under as we all do." - MrRoxy ------
"I do not suggest you walk out the door onto a New York street with your vulnerable child part exposed and not protected..." - Jason Bennett
#20re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/10/07 at 6:30pmI walked by several of the picket lines and didn't see any actors out there. I was surprised at how few picketers there were at certain shows. The Seafarer was empty and I mean ghost town empty. Cyrano had like 4 people. The most I saw were in Times Square outside of the Marquis. I heard alot of tourists complaining. Other than that, it wasn't really all that impressive to be honest. I guess I thought there would be throngs of people out there.
#21re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/10/07 at 6:47pm^I actually saw a large group of cast members outside of Curtains, Grease, and Legally Blonde earlier today, but didn't notice anything much going on around other theatres I passed.
"Wishes come true, not free..."
#22re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/10/07 at 6:59pm^^ Yeah, I walked past Curtains earlier and saw some cast members too.
There is only one you for all time. Fearlessly be yourself.
#23re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/10/07 at 7:12pm
Cast members at Spring Awakening as well. They were even talking about maybe getting some instruments and playing some songs outside of the theatre.
Updated On: 11/10/07 at 07:12 PM
#24re: actors during strike
Posted: 11/10/07 at 7:27pm
They were even talking about maybe getting some instruments and playing some songs outside of the theatre.
The Chicago musicians were playing "All That Jazz" on their line as I was walking by.
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