DEH Actors Salaries Question?
DEH Actors Salaries Question?
northlandfan
Stand-by Joined: 4/20/14
#1DEH Actors Salaries Question?
Posted: 7/16/17 at 6:16pm
Seeing the huge amounts of money that shows such as DEH make per week I was just curious as to how well compensated the actors are in such a show. From what I understand , do they not sign a contract at the very beginning when they do not know the success of the show. As a show becomes a mega success such as in the case of DEH do the actors benefit during the course of their contract? What I don't understand is when contracts are due to be renewed I can imagine the huge increases that could be requested by an actor such as Ben Platt to continue doing the role yet most people leave after a year. To me that doesn't seem to be fair to such amazing actors as they are the ones who actually are responsible for the huge popularity of such a show. As well how do the salaries of the main star such as Ben differ from the other actors in the show who are equally as amazing yet are more supporting characters in the show. To me the actors best bargaining power is when their contract is up for renewal yet in the case of Hamilton for example most of the principal actors left after a year. Sounds like the producers are the main people who benefit from a mega popular show! Doesn't seem fair......
trpguyy
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/25/05
#2DEH Actors Salaries Question?
Posted: 7/16/17 at 6:24pm
Your understanding is incorrect. Contracts are signed before rehearsals begin, and of course nobody knows if the show will be successful or not.
Hit shows generally dont pay more than any other show. An ensemble member of Hamilton gets paid roughly the same as an ensemble member of Cats.
Producers benefit the most from a megahit, but they're also the ones who risked the most.
#3DEH Actors Salaries Question?
Posted: 7/16/17 at 6:29pm
except for the original (workshop? i think) cast of Hamilton, where they ended up getting a perfectage i think, most casts don't really see a big return on them being in a hit, though in many cases when they resign contracts they can bargain a much higher salary (Idina going to London in wicked comes to mind)
"Contentment, it seems, simply happens. It appears accompanied by no bravos and no tears."
northlandfan
Stand-by Joined: 4/20/14
#4DEH Actors Salaries Question?
Posted: 7/16/17 at 6:31pm
So are you telling me a contract is signed for example in this case before it started in Washington and that same contract does not change throughout the off-Broadway run right into the Broadway run.
Therefore what difference does it make from a monetary point of you if you're in a lousy show or a critically acclaimed box office smash! Poor Ben!! Not fair!!
neonlightsxo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/08
northlandfan
Stand-by Joined: 4/20/14
#6DEH Actors Salaries Question?
Posted: 7/16/17 at 6:36pm
In my opinion an actor such as Ben Platt should be making at least $20,000 a week and the rest of the cast maybe half that amount. Am I completely off the mark!
froote
Broadway Star Joined: 2/14/17
#7DEH Actors Salaries Question?
Posted: 7/16/17 at 6:37pm
Ben will survive. If he wants more money then he can choose to renew his contract and negotiate then.
Not really sure why any other cast member except Rachel Bay Jones should be being paid more than average. Most of the characters could be played as well by any half decent actor.
#8DEH Actors Salaries Question?
Posted: 7/16/17 at 6:39pm
It's not unheard of for contracts to have clauses in them which lead to a salary increase in the event of nominations and wins.
As for DEH, as with any show that does different tryouts, a new contract is signed for each venue. A regional theater operates on a different contract then an off Broadway theater, which is different from an equity production contract on Broadway.
#9DEH Actors Salaries Question?
Posted: 7/16/17 at 6:42pm
I wouldn't be shocked if Ben Platt receives a percentage of gross due to the nature of his role, his status as a Hollywood actor, and the length of time he's been attached to the role. That would only be speculation. We have no idea what Plat's contract entails.
northlandfan
Stand-by Joined: 4/20/14
#10DEH Actors Salaries Question?
Posted: 7/16/17 at 6:45pm
I certainly hope so? Otherwise we may have to start the Platt project to raise money for him!
froote
Broadway Star Joined: 2/14/17
BrodyFosse123
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/27/06
#12DEH Actors Salaries Question?
Posted: 7/16/17 at 6:59pm
Unless an actor put in any of their money at any given time as an "angel" (silent) producer, all they receive weekly is their negotiated contract salary. Regardless of the billions the show they are employed at is grossing they don't see a penny more than their contracted salary. Producers and any one with negotiated points involvement benefits from any monetary compensation due to their show's success.
This situation caused a legal uproar with the original cast of HAMILTON and one that the original cast of A CHORUS LINE took legal action also, unsuccessfully, back in 1975-76.
nasty_khakis
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/15/07
#13DEH Actors Salaries Question?
Posted: 7/16/17 at 7:03pm
Only giant giant stars (read: Bette Middler, Hugh Jackman, etc) have box office percentages put into their contracts. Sometimes a star will take a pay cut in their weekly salary in exchange for this, sometimes they get both like when Nathan and Matthew went back into The Producers and got allegedly $100k plus a piece of the weekly box office. But it's all negotiated before a show even enters rehearsals. Harry Connick Jr had box office points for On a Clear Day, but never profited from that.
I'm sure the cast of DEH got bumps if they were nominated since most standard principal contracts include clauses for nominations and wins. Supposedly some of last minute announcements of the original Hamilton cast leaving was in response to them asking for a lot more money and producers refusing since the show is the star and the audience doesn't care who they see in it.
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#14DEH Actors Salaries Question?
Posted: 7/16/17 at 7:07pm
By your logic, the actors should also have their pay reduced when the box office does poorly.
Generally, the producers make the most as they have risked the most. And you can't say that the creative teamn't is JUST as responsible for the success of a show. I'm sure Ben has enough legal back up that he's fine and doesn't need you to worry about him.
Basically: the more experience (bway or hollywood) one has, the more your can negotiate your contract for. About the only thing you can assume is that they are all making more now then they were at DC or at 2nd Stage.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
Updated On: 7/16/17 at 07:07 PM
Tag
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/19/05
#15DEH Actors Salaries Question?
Posted: 7/16/17 at 7:14pm
Some people in this thread are overestimating Platt's pull to make any percentage of the box office. That's not happening. He's probably making in the neighbourhood of $7,000-10,000 (standard non-star lead pay) a week. (which may have seen a bump, or bonus, added after the Tony win). If he renews past his initial contract, he'll negotiate much higher.
#16DEH Actors Salaries Question?
Posted: 7/16/17 at 7:30pm
Anyone know if the show was developed under lab or workshop contracts?
In our millions, in our billions, we are most powerful when we stand together. TW4C unwaveringly joins the worldwide masses, for we know our liberation is inseparably bound.
Signed,
Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
https://theaterworkersforaceasefire.com/statement
neonlightsxo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/08
#17DEH Actors Salaries Question?
Posted: 7/16/17 at 8:19pm
northlandfan said: "In my opinion an actor such as Ben Platt should be making at least $20,000 a week and the rest of the cast maybe half that amount. Am I completely off the mark!"
Yes.
#18DEH Actors Salaries Question?
Posted: 7/16/17 at 8:35pm
isn't his family super rich?? i'm sure Ben Platt is fine.
"Contentment, it seems, simply happens. It appears accompanied by no bravos and no tears."
Tag
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/19/05
#19DEH Actors Salaries Question?
Posted: 7/16/17 at 8:38pm
northlandfan said: "In my opinion an actor such as Ben Platt should be making at least $20,000 a week and the rest of the cast maybe half that amount. Am I completely off the mark!"
Yes.
Agreed, no one in that cast is making more than $5000 (except Platt), and more likely closer to just above $2000.
BrodyFosse123
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/27/06
#20DEH Actors Salaries Question?
Posted: 7/16/17 at 8:50pm
isn't his family super rich?? i'm sure Ben Platt is fine.
That isn't logistical thinking. His family may be super wealthy but that doesn't imply he is. I know many trust fund kids who's families are millionaires but they don't have a pot to piss in if they didn't work hard themselves as their trust is monitored and mom and dad don't take care of their livelihoods. Ben is 23 years old. Lives on his own. I'm sure mom and dad don't pay his rent and his bills.
#21DEH Actors Salaries Question?
Posted: 7/16/17 at 8:51pm
There is almost no post in this thread from someone who has any idea what they are talking about, except a few people who basically say nothing because they are (I suspect) too busy rolling their eyes at what they are reading.
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#22DEH Actors Salaries Question?
Posted: 7/16/17 at 9:21pm
Isn't Equity minimum just under 2k/week? That could very well be what most of the "kids" (sans Platt) are getting, but all the adults in the show (I believe) have bway experience and I'd be suprised if they are making that little.
And I'm asking: don't most contracts include a bump for a Tony win? (I realize this is individual, but I thought I remember us discussing it's pretty standard.)
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
#23DEH Actors Salaries Question?
Posted: 7/16/17 at 10:47pm
Platt isn't even billed above the title, so to infer that his "Hollywood" clout would alter his pay is laughable. I'm sure he had a nice bump negotiated into his contact for the Tony win.
"Oh look at the time, three more intelligent plays just closed and THE ADDAMS FAMILY made another million dollars" -Jackie Hoffman, Broadway.com Audience Awards
#24DEH Actors Salaries Question?
Posted: 7/17/17 at 12:47am
Call_me_jorge said: "Anyone know if the show was developed under lab or workshop contracts?
"
In our millions, in our billions, we are most powerful when we stand together. TW4C unwaveringly joins the worldwide masses, for we know our liberation is inseparably bound.
Signed,
Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
https://theaterworkersforaceasefire.com/statement
#25DEH Actors Salaries Question?
Posted: 7/17/17 at 1:25am
BrodyFosse123 said: "Unless an actor put in any of their money at any given time as an "angel" (silent) producer, all they receive weekly is their negotiated contract salary. Regardless of the billions the show they are employed at is grossing they don't see a penny more than their contracted salary. Producers and any one with negotiated points involvement benefits from any monetary compensation due to their show's success.
This situation caused a legal uproar with the original cast of HAMILTON and one that the original cast of A CHORUS LINE took legal action also, unsuccessfully, back in 1975-76.
"
As I'm sure BrodyFosse knows and IIRC, the issue with A CHORUS LINE was based on the fact that the cast has been central to the writing of the show. Their accounts of their own life stories were recorded during the famous "taping sessions" and then written into the show. Actors weren't necessarily playing themselves, since the history of one actor might be written into the role of another. But most had contributed to the book. (The cast may have lost in arbitration but I believe Michael Bennett eventually gave the original cast a small percentage of the Broadway show's gross. Perhaps because the controversy made him look bad.)
