My suggestion isn't that the actors only get this money after the show recoups - it's that they get it based on ticket price.
But I think it's silly, as you pointed out yourself, to assume most stage actors work 50 weeks a year steadily. That's very rare. And they nonetheless must pay their reps -- so take off 10 - 20 - 25k of that 100k already (and let's not forget the generally 30% of their pay that will go to taxes, so they are only taking home at most $60k if not less). They also have to pay for the lessons and training that got them broadway caliber and the ones that keep them that way. And pardon me, but I do happen to think the skill level and amount of talents a Broadway performer must be Broadway caliber at is worth a lot, and worth being paid more than most of the average jobs that pay in the 100k range (hell, managers at In & Out Burger make about that), because it's a very specialized set of skills, and it's a large factor in what keep audiences spend so much money to see shows live.
And no, not everyone has to live in NYC but there's a quality of life factor to consider - the farther from work, or the worse neighborhood they must live in, or the longer commute, the more stressful, especially for people who often work until very late at night compared to most jobs.
So let's be realistic about the lifestyle of a Broadway actor and how much they usually work and what the money goes to and how much they are worth. |
