VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Don G. · King's Row Joined: 11 Nov 2004 Posts: 1071 Location: MA

I know that many folks on this forum either are or were at one time involved in local, regional, and/or professional theater as performers.

Last week, my daughter and I saw a production of Singin' In The Rain at the nearby regional theater. In the past, I've also seen RENT and Aida there. I have always been impressed with the productions. Granted, it's not Broadway, but a ticket is also about a third of the price (~$35).

Anyway, after last week's show, I casually made the comment to my daughter "I wonder how much those performers get paid. They really work their tails off." A good friend of hers has performed in several of the productions and my daughter said that she thought they didn't get paid at all. I thought that was absurd, but my daughter said that she would ask her friend.

Imagine my surprise to learn that they don't get paid. I'm wondering if this is an anomaly in regional theater or if it's the norm. These folks are busting their humps and they are good! As far as I know, only one of the leads is in Equity, but I'm not even certain he's getting paid. I do know he holds down a regular full time job.

Does this surprise anyone else? I understand that maybe local community theater wouldn't pay their performers, but this is several steps above that. I understand that doing something you love is rewarding in and of itself, but wow.

Jan Anderson · Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2011 8:13 pm Post subject:

Hi Don,
There are a couple different theatre groups in my small town. I'm in one of them and we are not paid and I don't think the the other(larger) group is paid either.
It's really an outlet to perform and an oportunity to grow as an actor. It feeds the actors' soul(sounds silly, but it's true), so monetary compensation isn't necessary. That, and I think the people involved realize going in that even though the actors may give stunning performances, this ain't a "paid gig". Laugh

Mushmelon · Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2011 11:05 pm Post subject:

Agreed...I was in quite a few local and regional productions and was never paid a dime. I did it because I truly enjoyed every aspect of it. The thrill of being on stage, the camaraderie of working with your fellow actors and knowing that for about an hour and a half there wasn't any place else in the world you would rather be or anything else you would rather be doing... If I had the time I would do it again in a heartbeat!
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JBarrett · Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 5:48 am Post subject:

Tony summed up my feelings quite nicely. I did a bunch of local and regional theatre before diving into the animation world, and didn't care that I wasn't getting paid. I was having a ball working with others to bring fun stories to life. Like Tony, I would also get back into it if I had the time.
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Monk · Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 7:11 am Post subject:

For me it's 50/50 so far. I'm a member of the "PantoLoons" and we put on a panto performance each Fall at the local community playhouse. For that we're paid, not a lot, but it covers fuel costs.

I've also done dinner theater, and we got paid each performance. When I worked an equity stage last Summer, I was paid as well.

However for "regular" productions at ghentplayhouse.org are volunteer. We're in rehearsal for Your a Good Man Charlie Brown presently, (I'm Snoopy) and with all the rehearsal, performances, etc... we might get a nice meal out of it when it's over.

Getting paid is nice, but that's not the draw. Working on a project, getting it up under the lights, and getting an audience to love it, that's my goal.

And you never know, maybe I'll be "Discovered" onstage and offered a roll on CSI or 24 or .... ya.

It beats playing with model trains or Civil War re-creations as far as I'm concerned. And any day acting is better than staying home and watching TV. Smile

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Bruce · Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 8:01 am Post subject:

For what is usually six or more weeks of work I've been paid everything from nothing, to a $10 stipend for gas, to a decent (but not great) wage for being in theater. The pay range is all over the map, but as was alluded to above we happily accept the applause, laughter, tears, and camaraderie as our pay. If you love theater, it's a blast to do.

B
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Bob Bergen · CM Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 981

The 99 seat Eguity Waver for theater has little pay if any. You do it for the love of acting and the chance to stretch and grow. Plus, you can invite casting folks. It's a great way to showcase. I started teaching animation vo because someone opening an acting school saw in my bio in the program of a play I was doing I did animation vo. He came backstage and asked if I was interested in teaching in his new school. I actually turned him down, and taught for free for about a year before I felt ready to take money to teach. Too much Jewish guilt to take an actor's money if I sucked at teaching. I taught at this school for about 2 years before going out on my own. Long winded story, sorry. But my point is, sometimes there is more to doing theater than the paycheck.

Wink

cyclometh · Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 2:23 pm Post subject:

Been a while since I've done theater work but I never heard of anyone I worked with getting paid. That kind of thing was for Broadway shows. We did it for love and occasionally beer. Wink

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Lee Gordon · Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 3:39 pm Post subject:

As someone who does not "tread the boards," can I deduce from this discussion that there is not a significant segment of the Actors Equity rank and file that gets all huffy about fellow thespians working for little or no money, either for the love of the craft or to gain valuable experience, in the same way that some voiceoverists become bent out of shape at the notion of people accepting low-paying VO jobs from the P2P sites and elsewhere?
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Jan Anderson · Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 4:43 pm Post subject:

Lee - Funny you mention that, because I was just reading an article on one of the other VO sites and one person was absolutely beside themselves with non-union actors. The article was dealing with clients backing out on their agreements and this person was esentially saying that is what you get for being non-union. Too bad. Maybe he had a good point, but it got clouded in all the venom spewing from his pen. Get Lost

Deirdre · Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 11:52 pm Post subject:

Lee— if you're Equity and you want to work in a small theater for little or no pay, you have to hide your identity the same way people hide from AFTRA or SAG.
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Diane Havens · Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 5:57 am Post subject:

That's not been my experience here in NYC, Deirdre. I have a few Equity actor friends who work with local theater groups for little/no pay once in while, and their names (their real ones) are marked in the program with an asterisk as "appearing courtesy of Actors' Equity Association." The thing is to get the "permission" to do it. And no one has even had a problem getting it, to my knowledge.

As far as any annoyance on the part of Equity actors against non union hobbyist actors taking part in community theater, I also do not see that. These people know how difficult it is to get paying work in theater (more difficult than to get paying work in VO) and they generally don't begrudge anyone with a love of the stage from performing in these amateur groups.
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Scott Pollak · Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 8:29 am Post subject:

I've been involved in local theatre since age 14 or so (I'm now 56) and I've been paid handsomely.

I've been paid by developing outstanding acting skills that have served me quite well as a professional voice talent.

I've been paid by becoming very comfortable at speaking in front of large groups and am thus able to present good speeches, talks and presentations, when necessary.

I've been paid by developing a true love for the arts and all that goes with it.

I've been paid by associating with some of the most wonderful, and talented, people on the planet. People fiery with passion for the theatre and music. People with insanely creative minds and skills. People who open up new vistas to me every time I'm around them.

I've been paid by seeing my wife AND my son become deeply involved in local theatre alongside me, and watching them shine on stage, sometimes even when I'm lucky enough to be up there with them!

No, we don't receive money, or a check, but who cares?!

We do it for the love of it. Just like how we play softball or go bicycling or coach soccer, or visit the elderly. We do it because it's something we love, something that adds to our quality of life, and well.... just because!

(P.S.: My wife is currently wrapping up being in a production of "Cinderella" and I'm starting rehearsals for Neil Simon's "Rumors" next week.)
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Deirdre · Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 12:16 pm Post subject:

Diane— That's good to know!
When I was running the (Professional! all actors were paid— just not Equity wages) summer stock and regional theaters in Maine in the 80's and 90's we had to hide people.
Someone from Equity would pay us a surprise visit at least once a year.
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Diane Havens · Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2011 9:01 am Post subject:

There are probably different rules for profit-making theaters, Deirdre. Only ones for which I've seen Equity grant permission are not-for-profits. My favorite is Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival. Some of the best theater I've ever experienced, performed outdoors in one of the most gorgeous places on earth.
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