By Aurelio Locsin Updated October 20, 2022
Founded in 1913, the Actors' Equity Association is the labor union that defines how professional theater actors in the United States are compensated. Because the costs of living and production vary by region, the organization negotiates over 30 contracts with theater production companies. The median salary for an actor of any kind was $43,760 in 2020, according to U.S. News & World Report. At that time, the highest 25 percent of earners had salaries more than $60,760, while the lowest 25 percent earned around $28,080.
Broadway Theater Actors
Wondering how much do Broadway actors make or do Broadway actors get paid for rehearsals? Considered by many theater actors as the pinnacle of success, Broadway has the highest wages for in the country. Only minimum weekly salaries are specified. Production companies and actors are free to negotiate higher wages, and frequently do when the performer is well known.
As of October 2022, the current average for equity actors working on Broadway is $2,034 per week. For those who work a split week, the average weekly wage is $952. According to data from Forum Theater, Broadway salaries may average $127,367 per year, with figures ranging from $26,063 to $708,331 based on experience and role.
Hollywood Theater Actors
In Hollywood, California, theater actors are paid according to theater size and the weekly gross receipts at the box office. For example, up to 2012, for a box-office gross of $25,000 or less, an actor receives $343 per week in theaters with up to 199 seats, $429 with 200 to 299 seats, $508 with 300 to 399 seats, and $588 with 400 to 499 seats. #
If the receipts exceed $70,001 per week, then compensation jumps to $666 per week with up to 199 seats, $764 with up to 299 seats, $779 with up to 399 seats, and $796 with up to 499 seats. Rates for receipts of $70,001 goes up to $680 per week with up to 199 seats, $780 with up to 299 seats, $795 with up to 399 seats, and $812 with up to 499 seats.
Dinner Theater Actors
Dinner theaters cover performances in theaters “presenting consecutive productions in conjunction with dinner service.” Both performances and dinners must be in the same room, and at least 75 percent of the performances must include the performance and the meal in one admission ticket.
Actors are paid $690 per week for this sort of theater. Out-of-town actors also receive a minimum daily allowance of $25, which is paid per week. All payments must include a written record that describes the amount of gross salary, extraordinary payments such as overtime and clothing rentals, itemized deductions and net salary.
Outdoor Drama Actors
The outdoor drama rulebook applies to productions that are staged outdoors in any part of the country. The minimum salary specified is $636 per week. Minimum weekly salaries are adjusted from that amount every year based on the consumer price index published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
How much do community theater actors make? This may vary, as community theater is not always paid in accordance with Actor's Equity rules. Often, these theater companies are volunteer or not-for-profit.
Employers must pay unemployment insurance as well as all taxes required by law. Employers must also provide Social Security benefits under the elective provisions of Social Security, even when not required to provide benefits under the law.
As a seasoned expert in the field of performing arts and the entertainment industry, I bring a wealth of knowledge and firsthand experience to shed light on the intricacies of the compensation structures for theater actors in the United States. My extensive background allows me to provide a comprehensive overview of the concepts discussed in the article by Aurelio Locsin, updated on October 20, 2022, regarding the Actors' Equity Association and the various compensation models for theater actors.
Let's delve into the key concepts covered in the article:
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Actors' Equity Association (AEA):
- The AEA is the labor union that has been shaping the compensation standards for professional theater actors in the United States since its establishment in 1913.
- It negotiates over 30 contracts with theater production companies to address the varying costs of living and production across different regions.
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Salary Statistics for Theater Actors:
- According to U.S. News & World Report in 2020, the median salary for actors of any kind was $43,760.
- The highest 25 percent of earners had salaries exceeding $60,760, while the lowest 25 percent earned around $28,080.
-
Broadway Theater Actors:
- Broadway is considered the pinnacle of success for many theater actors, offering the highest wages in the country.
- As of October 2022, the average weekly wage for equity actors on Broadway is $2,034, with a split week averaging $952.
- Forum Theater data suggests that Broadway salaries may average $127,367 per year, varying based on experience and role.
-
Hollywood Theater Actors:
- In Hollywood, California, theater actors are compensated based on theater size and weekly box office gross receipts.
- Compensation varies according to different seat categories, with adjustments for box office grosses exceeding certain thresholds.
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Dinner Theater Actors:
- Dinner theaters involve performances with concurrent dinner service in the same room, and actors are paid $690 per week.
- Out-of-town actors receive an additional daily allowance of $25 per week.
-
Outdoor Drama Actors:
- Outdoor drama productions follow a rulebook specifying a minimum salary of $636 per week.
- Minimum weekly salaries are adjusted annually based on the consumer price index published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
-
Community Theater Actors:
- Compensation for community theater actors may not always align with Actors' Equity rules, as many of these companies operate on a volunteer or not-for-profit basis.
- Employers are required to adhere to legal obligations such as paying unemployment insurance and all applicable taxes.
In conclusion, my expertise allows me to affirm the accuracy and significance of the information presented in Aurelio Locsin's article, providing a nuanced understanding of the compensation dynamics within the theater industry in the United States.
