Sunday, November 18, 2007
Broadway's Stranded Actors Wait Out the Strike in Varied Ways
Yahoo! News: "Most of them have been showing up for work 30 minutes before what would be curtain time. They sign in and hang out for a half-hour in order to be eligible for Actors' Equity's emergency strike-fund pay."
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6 comments:
I think this article approaches the strike in a different way. On one hand, I like to heart about the positive things coming out of the strike, the way the casts are bonding, trying to make the best of the situation. Then towards the end, it turns to a more guilt-ridden tone, with terms like "wicked refugee." I don’t know. This article has some different emotions for me. On one had, I can appreciate the struggle the acting community is going through, especially during the holiday season. On the other hand, they are not the only ones who are struggling.
I really liked this article. It gave a new veiw to the strike seeing how the actors are being effected by the stagehands going on strike. Since it is the stagehands that have gone on strike the focus is always on them, but we forget that the show can't go on without them so the actors are left out. It seems like the actors are split in the terms of how they are dealing with not working. I agree that it must be frustrating for them to be out of work cause of the stagehand strike, but if the actors went on strike then the stagehands would be in the same position. Theatre is all about compromise. Which is what needs to happen before this Thanksgiving break.
It's nice to take a turn and think of the strike in terms of the actors views. Their affected by the strike just as much as the rest of broadway, except they get a break. I didn't know before reading this that they had to still go to every show to check in so they get paid. That's an interesting rule that makes some sense.
I'm glad playbill finally chose to right about another perspective on the strike. I admit I was wondering about the personal lives of the actors after not working for a few days. As upbeat as the article is about the casts catching up and enjoying some free time, there was an underlying sadness when they would reference that some actors do not have savings and really are suffering because of this strike. I wonder how they get by on their temporary wages from the strike refuge. I think Playbill should do a follow up article (if they could) on how less fortunate actors get by. It would be interesting and educational for up and coming actors/actresses.
I was actually curious about how the actors were affected by the strike, and it is an interesting effect. In some respects the tables are turned, and all the press about Broadway is not focused on those on stage but those backstage. I'm glad that the article explores the different points of view, and doesn't try to create a divide between the stagehands and the actors.
I think it’s really funny that one of the actors said they feel like their in purgatory / no mans land. I could imagine it would be weird to go into work everyday and do no work. It would be like time got stopped right before you had to start working. It must be nice for these people who do eight shows a week not to have to hear the same songs over and over again.
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