I'd like to hear from those who never made it to stardom but for 30, 40, and 50 years was there holding forth as dancer/singer in the chorus/ensemble. Give one example you've had in your amazing career as a "gypsy" that you'll never forget.
I would expect at least the "younger" performers to respond, the 60 to 70s year olds group but I guess for some reason they rather not, A pity, you can give us some insight to the golden age of performing.
I think people in ensembles are easily dismissed when they get older and have to make place for students.
Older characters, men and women in ensembles, playing the smaller roles or covers, such as the priest in Les Miserables or nuns in the Sound of Music, or understudies for the bird lady in Mary Poppins always seem to be youngsters.