how much is the average that a working equity actor makes?- Page 2

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 9/18/04 at 9:07pm

Okay...I'm still sort of confused. On http://www.travelinbroadway.com/ then you can see the current list of touring shows, and there's a distinction made between non-union and non-equity. Are they talking about non-union/equity house?

[Plum]

Posted: 9/18/04 at 9:12pm

Well, I think there's at least one union other than Equity. But there's others on the board who are more knowledgable about these matters than me.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 9/18/04 at 9:20pm

You should ask Broadway11. :)

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 9/18/04 at 9:27pm

Bottom line: you become a professional actor/singer/dancer because you feel you HAVE to, not just because you want to (if there's anything else you think you might enjoy doing -- go do that; if not, break a leg). Only a very, very tiny percentage of performers can ever suport themselves entirely on the income they make from performing and the vast majority of those who do, can only manage to do that for a few years. You don't go into the business for regular work or financial stability or (god forbid) with just the intention of becoming a "star" -- the work is your reward and if you work really really hard and have a bit of luck along the way, you might be able to become a working actor.

Make sure you have other skills to tide you over during the leaner times, whether it's waiting tables and bartending, being able to type 60+ words per minute, or having a degree in something practical.....

Your mom is rightly concerned about your future - it's not easy trying to be a professional performer and nearly everyone trying to do so struggles a lot, especially in the beginning. Even if you're very good and talented and manage to land a big show on- or off-Broadway, most shows don't run very long (most plays at the big institutional houses off-Broadway like The Public, MTC, Atlantic, LCT, et al are limited engagements that only run 6 weeks or so; most Broadway shows run for only a few months, some less than that -- the long-running hit that runs for years is the exception, not the rule).

Look, the fact is being a performer will always be far less stable than being a teacher or an accountant or a lawyer or a stockbroker (though, in this economy, they get laid-off, too), so you just need to be honest with your mom and tell her that this is something that you HAVE to do for a few years (or more) and that in order for you to be able to achieve your dream, you would ideally like to have her full support while you're out there giving everything you have to achieve your goal.

Mind you, if you're stil in high school trying to decide on college etc... you certainly could get a four year degree in many subjects other than acting (which, I think would please mom, in addition to giving you something to perhaps be able to fall back on somewhere down the line, if you need to). There are Tony Award winning performers with undergrad degrees in things like business, accounting, biology, English, history, chemical engineering, etc... so pursuing a non-theatre-oriented academic path won't in anyway prevent you from being a performer after graduation (and you'll still be able to audition for most roles in the drama department, depending on the school, as well as participating in open calls and auditions beyond your college).

Good luck/break a leg.

Updated On: 9/18/04 at 09:27 PM

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 9/18/04 at 9:30pm

Well said, MargoC.

[Lynnespock2]

Posted: 9/18/04 at 10:09pm

The union that staffs MOST of the Broadway shows (Movin' out may be the exception) is Actor's Equity. Non union shows also pay, but the working conditions and per diem are not as good in many cases.

You asked about Equity; its the union of actors and stage managers.