Understudy get paid?

Question

Hi,

I went for an audition for a play, and I did not get the role(s) that I wanted, but the director offered me an understudy position for one of the roles.

Does an understudy get paid? And what's the average pay for an understudy at a fairly successful dinner theater?

Thank you!

Answer 1

Many dinner theatres are semi-professional which means they do not hire union actors and they pay less than union wages. Such theatres may not pay an understudy at all, so you should ask. All actors hired for a union theatre would be paid according to the union rules, that includes understudies, who are also rehearsed and who also play some matinee performances. But that is Equity only.