What is an "actors benefit" (live theatre)?

Question

I am currently involved a play at the playhouse in my area. It's not a paid job...just for the heck of the experience. Anyway, I was reviewing at my play performance schedule and read that the last performance is marked as "Actors' Benefit." What does this mean?

Answer 1

In olden days (and apparently still) actors were paid rather little and the box office had to be divided between the house and the managers. An "Actors Benefit" was a show in which all the money taken in the box office was given, usually to a single actor, the lead, etc.

Answer 2

My experience is that Actors Benefit proceeds go to help funds benefitting retired union actors, members of Actors Equity Association.