How many performers will permanently leave the business due to Covid?

[LarryD2]

Posted: 1/21/21 at 11:42am

I spoke on the phone today with a woman I've known for more than 20 years. Prior to the pandemic, she had been a stalwart working actress who never seemed to want for a gig. She's certainly not an A-list name, but between Off-Broadway, regional theater and television, she made a comfortable and steady living for a long time. She had been appearing in a major regional production at the time the pandemic hit last March.

We hadn't spoken in a while. She mentioned that she's gotten her real estate license, joined a luxury firm in the NYC suburbs, and has no plans to resume her acting career once theaters reopen. She mentioned the sacrifices she'd made for a career in entertainment and wants to pivot while she's still young enough to do so. (For reference, she's in her early 40s.)

Because I work in the industry, I know that a lot of folks have taken on survival jobs during the prolonged closure. And of course there could be cases of people saying they're permanently leaving the business who will eventually return. But what do you think? How many performers, actors, musicians etc. will we lose to the corporate world or any other industry due to Covid? For those of you who work in theater or know a lot of performers, what have you been hearing?

[JSquared2]

Posted: 1/21/21 at 11:58am

673.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/21/21 at 12:16pm

12.

 

 

I DO think that age may take a big part of that, as in the instance of your friend.   Sometimes, it's just time to move on.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/21/21 at 12:17pm

Double post.  Apologies.

Updated On: 1/21/21 at 12:17 PM

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/21/21 at 12:37pm

dramamama611 said: "I DO think that age may take a big part of that, as in the instance of your friend. Sometimes, it's just time to move on."

The age is probably a factor for younger, early-career folks ranging up to mid-career folks...if an actor is 50+, they may just decide to stick it out rather than having a late-in-life career shift.

[Moreski93]

Posted: 1/21/21 at 12:56pm

525,600

[HogansHero]

Posted: 1/21/21 at 2:03pm

As is obvious from the above answers, there is no answer to this question. Bear in mind that, in any given year, a LOT of people leave the business. But I'd also add that, in the case of your friend, if the right situation presented itself (and that could include not just an offer but also a downturn in the suburban luxury real estate market -- I think over the years I known as many people who bailed on real estate careers as on acting careers LOL).  

[Mr. Wormwood]

Posted: 1/21/21 at 6:00pm

I'll go with somewhere in between 12 and 575,600.

 

In all honestly, of course no one knows. Will some permanently leave? Of course. Will some newcomers get into it because it might appear to be less competitive if some have left? Maybe. Will it actually be more competitive because there will be less opportunities at first? Probably. 

[joevitus]

Posted: 1/21/21 at 6:09pm

HogansHero said: "As is obvious from the above answers, there is no answer to this question. Bear in mind that, in any given year, a LOT of people leave the business. But I'd also add that, in the case of your friend, if the right situation presented itself (and that could include not just an offer but also a downturn in the suburban luxury real estate market -- I think over the years I known as manypeople who bailed on real estate careers as on acting careers LOL)."

Although you and I have argued, I think a lot of what you post is pretty spot-on. This comment especially.