Do people in Theater make decent money?

Question

Do the super talented people who work SO HARD on Broadway make good money when they are in a successful show? Not the stars, but the others, the background singers and such.

What about shows that travel to big cities?

I've seen so many AWESOME shows, the actors, singers and dancers just pour their minds, bodies, energy -- their entire SOULS into the performance -- I sure hope they are adequately compensated!

Answer 1

Well to answer your specific question about the folks who are on large national tours, the current minimum for a tour (production contract) is $1509.00 a week for a musical (78.5K a year).

Answer 2

I don't know where in the world you are, but I'm in Melbourne, Australia. I've been self-producing theatre for the past 6 years, and I can tell you it's not easy. My last show, I didn't have to spend a lot of money doing marketing, and had an extremely cheap venue. Still, I lost all of the money, and only barely paid back the venue hire. I think everyone who self-produces finds it difficult, as venue hire, marketing and insurance pretty much eat up your budget even before you get to costuming, sets and other stuff. In Melbourne, we have a lot of venues, as it's a fringe theatre town, but unfortunately, most of them are pretty dodgy, half-funded or not funded at all, lack good up-to-date equipment, or are simply too big and expensive to hire without funding or subsidisation. The pro venues cost about $1500 AUD per week to hire, and the 'not so pro' venues (ie. bars, clubs, etc.) take a percentage of the ticket sales (15% seems to be the average, though it depends on the venue). Most venues are booked up year round, so it's very hard to get in - we are lucky in that more and more people are finding unusual spaces to perform in, and many small restaurants or pubs allow theatre shows on occasion. Good luck with the hunt; I know it's tough but if you keep plugging away, you'll find something. As for me, I've taken a step back from live theatre, and am more likely going to produce videos for Youtube. It's not the same (I hate doing film and TV actually), but it does allow me to present a piece of work at my own pace and without the hassle of finding a venue; in fact, finding a venue is what turns me off the most about producing theatre these days.

Answer 3

why do you think so many dancers, actors and singers are also working at restaurants??

One thing you have to keep in mind is: you don't go into performing arts for money. The big names and big stars are less than 1 in 100,0000 of a chance. And a lot of the times the most famous and the richest aren't the most talented.
you go into performing arts because first of all you love it. and you have to love it enough to endure the all the rejection, small and unpredictable source of income, competition,
hard work, ....etc

Answer 4

Yes, they can. Actors in both Broadway shows and touring productions are members of Actors Equity Association, and there is a minimum pay scale that determines their salary. (This salary, of course, varies depending on the work of their agent negotiating higher rates based on experience, popularity of the performer, other adjustments for stage combat, nudity requirements, etc.)

While it is difficult to give you a pay range for these performers, I can tell you that over twenty years ago, I worked for a non-Equity touring company and was paid about $600 per week for my work--a pretty good wage for the time. No one is going to get filthy rich working in the theatre (except the producers) but it IS possible to make a comfortable living through consistent, professional, hard work.

Answer 5

Me too!