How much are broadway actors worth

[Theatrefanboy1]

A topic came up today how much Broadway performers are worth. Not talking about those that move in and out between tv film concerts and broadway but those that typically are just theatre performers. Would it be safe to say that someone like Stephanie j block would have been earning about 20000 a week? And someone like Charlie Williams or Ryan Steele or Matt Doyle be warning around the 5000 a week. Or am I way off. Im just curious how difficult it is for a performer to hold down a place of their own and living expenses (plus the possible fun-employed time)

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Like our conversation in another thread about Bway transfers/budgets tonight, it COMPLETELY depends on the actor, the show, and what kind of deal was negotiated between their agent and the producer/GM.

In short, you're off.

An ensemble member is always going to make close to minimum (about $2,100), no matter how many shows they've done. Nominal additional money for things like understudy tracks or dance captaining or stunts, media fee if their likeness is used in advertising materials, a week's salary for a cast album, a tiny percentage of profits if the show was developed with a Workshop agreement, etc. The goal is that they are in a long-running show where they could have steady employment for a few years, and then move on to another show or a TV/film gig.

Maybe someone like SJB or Beth Leavel or Caissie Levy makes between $4k and $10k a week. A star who actually sells tickets will command a higher salary + a percentage of the box office. Bryan Cranston supposedly did Network for scale and then took 25% of profits post-recoupment, which is a rare move. Bette Midler made $150k per week + a percentage of the box office. There can also be bumps for Tony nominations or wins, a car to/from the theatre, housing/per diem for out of towners and their family, grooming allowances and travel for press appearances, an Assistant fee, and other contractual requirements.

And remember, $2100 a week might seem like a great gig, but the actors could go years without booking another Bway show after the current one closes. Or a show they thought would run a year shutters after 4 months. Factor in agent percentage, union dues, classes, headshots, PT, rent, and student loans, and you're making a living but never a killing.

[itsjustmejonhotmailcom]

Theatrefanboy1 said: "A topic came up today how much Broadway performers are worth. Not talking about those that move in and out between tv film concerts and broadway but those that typically are just theatre performers. Would it be safe to say that someone like Stephanie j block would have been earning about 20000 a week? And someone like Charlie Williams or Ryan Steele or Matt Doyle be warning around the 5000 a week. Or am I way off. Im just curious how difficult it is for a performer to hold down a place of their own and living expenses (plus the possible fun-employed time)"

Way off. Charlie Willimas, Ryan Steele and Matt Doyle likely make scale or just slightly above it (min is $2095/week.)  Someone will likely chime in with more accurate info, but I bet SJB is getting less than $10k/week. 

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick famously made 100k per week each when they did their return to The Producers.

But yes, they are much higher-profile stars than most on Broadway. An ensemble/chorus member will typically make minimum or just slightly above.

[Call_me_jorge]

I think people are undervaluing Charlie Williams and Ryan Steele. While both have primarily been in ensemble roles, at this point in their career, I feel as if they are more recognizable talents than your average ensemble member. They both have such long resumes, it wouldn’t be unrealistic that they’d get more money just because of the experience they have.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Ensemble is typically Favored Nations (except for role-related add-ons) –– meaning that if their salary is up, everyone else's goes up, too. I can promise you that NOBODY in the general public gives a flying you-know-what about who they are, which is one of the sole reasons to command a higher salary. If anything, you're overvaluing them: they've been onstage in 3 and 5 shows, that's hardly on the level of recent Robe Winners Lisa Gajda (18 ) or Matt Wall (15) or Cameron Adams (12). And kindly spare us anything about their social media presence, it means zilch.

Also worth noting: At a non-profit like MTC and Roundabout, everyone (even Kelli O'Hara and Laura Linney) gets paid scale, which is about $1500 a week.

FAVORED NATIONS is also something that should be discussed: It means that people of similar stature in similar roles get equal salary and billing. It means we can assume equal pay and treatment for people like Audra & Michael Shannon in F&J, McClure & Butler in BJ, Creel & Baldwin in H,D!, and the 5 supporting actors in Tootsie. (I bolded part of that because, for example, Orlando Bloom and Condola Rashad probably did not earn the same $$ in Romeo & Juliet. The roles are equal, but he's the only one selling tickets.)

[haterobics]

Call_me_jorge said: "I think people are undervaluing Charlie Williams and Ryan Steele. While both have primarily been in ensemble roles, at this point in their career, I feel as if they are more recognizable talents than your average ensemble member. They both have such long resumes, it wouldn’t be unrealistic that they’d get more money just because of the experience they have."

Why would having more experience be an asset? If someone with less experience could do the same job for less money, seems like that sort of thinking might cost them work. If anything, they could potentially also be the dance captain or somesuch, and then get some extra $$$ on top of their ensemble track that way.

[HogansHero]

There is no favored nations provision in the production contract (or most other AEA agreements).

There are many (non-contractual) reasons a top dancer might be paid more than the minimum, not the least of which is the the choreographer wants them so he or she will look good. That said, it is not going to be a huge sum.