weight guidelines in contract?

[Harpz2006]

Posted: 4/8/12 at 4:09pm

So, random question- what if a performer was one size when they were cast and then gained a lot of weight on tour or in the Broadway run and couldn't fit in their costumes- are they given time to lose the weight or can they be fired if it doesn't fit the character appearance? Is it in a Broadway contract that you can't change your appearance drastically? Just curious! Has this ever happened where an actor is told to lose weight during a run, and who is in charge of handling issues like that?

[sondhead]

Posted: 4/8/12 at 5:30pm

Generally your contract states you must stay in your current physical condition meaning you can't gain or lose a significant amount of weight. As to how they actually enforce that is dependent on the individual producer and situation.

[mybestaudition]

Posted: 4/8/12 at 7:56pm

Age 16 and under contracts usually have a 10 lb, 2 inch clause in them.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 4/8/12 at 8:21pm

Appearance clauses can also include things like tanning. For instance, the cast of Phantom, especially the leads, are not allowed to go tanning and have to be careful of how much sun they get when they go on vacations.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/8/12 at 8:22pm

Ouch, that's harsh -- when a kid hits a growth spurt, 2 inches can happen in a month or two!

I remember that the Billy's had something about how much their voice could change.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 4/9/12 at 4:02pm

Where is Lainie Kazan when we need her?

[singtopher]

Posted: 4/9/12 at 4:16pm

I once on a non-eq tour where the producers spent thousands of dollars on our costumes (they were GORGEOUS, btw) and were contracted to always be able to fit into such costumes. As enforcement, we had weigh-ins once per month. If someone gained or lost more than 10 lbs they would be spoken to as a warning and could be fired if the issue persisted. Frankly, you were in greater risk of loosing the weight than the other way around.

It sounds more intense than it was. The cast was of all shapes and sizes, no one (to my knowledge) ever had a "talk", the weigh ins were done in private, and you didn't have to know your weight if you didn't want to.

[Visceral_Fella]

Posted: 4/9/12 at 4:47pm

Dee Roscioli was asked to go on a diet in the middle of her Chicago run as Elphaba in Wicked. I'm guessing that she gained too much weight.

I believe Kristy Cates was asked to slim down as well for the same role. I'm not sure though.

Updated On: 4/9/12 at 04:47 PM

[newintown]

Posted: 4/9/12 at 4:53pm

Ask Emily Skinner and Chris Sieber.

Updated On: 4/9/12 at 04:53 PM

[SNAFU]

Posted: 4/9/12 at 5:49pm

I heard that when Rosie was doing Grease she had her first fitting for costumes just before Thanksgiving, when she returned after for final fittings nothing fit!

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 4/9/12 at 5:52pm

2 apples and a protein shake a day should do the trick. No worries.