Pittsburgh Arts, Regional Theatre, New Work, Producing, Copyright, Labor Unions,
New Products, Coping Skills, J-O-Bs...
Theatre industry news, University & School of Drama Announcements, plus occasional course support for
Carnegie Mellon School of Drama Faculty, Staff, Students, and Alumni.
CMU School of Drama
Friday, November 11, 2022
Actors' Equity Honors Broadway Chorus Members With Special ACCA Award
]
Playbill: Actors’ Equity Association, the national union for professional theatre actors and stage managers, honored the resilience of Broadway's chorus members during the pandemic November 9 during a ceremony marking the reopening of Equity’s New York City Audition Center.
9 comments:
TJ
said...
I think it is so important to recognize the people involved in theater who are not the stars and don't often get recognized. Ensemble members are some of those people who get recognized for their work far less than they should. Especially with the onset of the pandemic and covid shutting everything down, I think it is great that the ACCA made a special effort to honor all of the chorus members for all of the shows on Broadway. Without these vital members of our industry, no shows would be able to happen. They definitely deserve to be recognized with this award. I think that one of the few good things to come out of the pandemic is how less recognized artists are now getting much more recognition. From chorus members, to technicians, to understudies and swings, there are many people who are now getting honored and thanked for their work when they were not before.
It is so important to acknowledge everyone’s contributions to the show, no matter how big or small because the show could not happen without every single person working together to facilitate a production. Chorus members are so often overlooked because they do not have solo parts in a show, but they contribute immensely with dance numbers, vocal parts, harmonies, bodies on stage, and sometimes lines. It is wonderful that Actor’s Equity Association has taken the time to pay tribute to all of the chorus members who work tirelessly always, but specifically had their livelihoods taken away when sixteen chorus musicals were shutdown during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March of 2020. It is nice that this was given for the first time to a season collective rather than just one specific show because of how much they all went through. There is no way to separate one member’s contributions from another's.
I feel like the fact that Broadway was able to come back so strong after COVID is really impressive given how unknown things were for so long. Ensembles and standbys are the reason this was able to happen in my opinion. The fact that these groups were able to adapt to these changes was so impressive. This was mentioned in the article as one of the reasons all the ensembles won this award. When people would come down with COVID these are the people that would adapt to change and step in when needed. Ensemble and standbys are the reason Broadway shows were able to keep going. I feel like sometimes they are not recognized enough in this industry and glad they are finally getting some recognition. All people involved in a production are important, not just the lead faces of the production. So giving the ensemble and swings the spotlight I feel like is important to show how important what they do is
I love to see this effort put in to honor the swings and understudies of our industry! Especially when they are ensemble members that have to know multiple tracks, it can be a lot of information to hold in one’s head and body. If I think that just designing “In and Out” sheets as a part of my paperwork to track how the show would change if a cover went on, I’m sure actually fulfilling that role holds its own set of challenges. I hope there are also financial benefits to it, especially if one has been filling in for roles much more often than expected. I know there is some kind of additional fee, but I’m not sure how extensive it is. I believe the way each individual production treats its ensemble is also of vital importance. Providing enough put in rehearsals and lift/fight/intimacy calls should not fall low on a priority list.
This is really exciting to see. I think often regular (or-non theatre) folks who see shows aren't aware of the intricacies that go on backstage, including the chorus. I remember a lot of folks on social media working to explain the importance of swings and understudies to the general public, especially after all the hard work these people put in to keep shows going post-pandemic. I am really glad a large organization like this was able to give them the recognition they deserve, and at such an important rebuilding time for the whole industry. These are the people with complicated tracks and far too little recognition traditionally. I feel like industry folks often understand the work that goes into shows far beyond the 8 stars that get audience reaction, but it often doesn't make its way to the public, so this is a really heart-warming article.
I really like the effort AEA is putting in to honor and recogonize and validate the work and experiences of swings, understudites, covers, amd chorus members. These roles are just as integral as a lead role as they biold the world and keep the show running. I think IATSE needs to look into these type of roles (not chorus, but the others) for tech people. It would be so benifical to have understudy and swing tech people as the show realy is cancled when a technician can not make it. Just some food for thought.
This made me happy to see. It feels like this industry does not recognize these individuals enough, yet we all know how important these individuals are to a production. I feel like the pandemic brought a larger focus to every single person involved in a production and we are finally recognizing people other than the lead of a show. I’m glad that Actor’s Equity Association is working to publicly recognize some of the people that make a production complete. I was also surprised by the sheer number of shows that are being recognized by these awards; honestly, I was impressed. However, it does seem like it took awhile for these individuals to get recognized in this way. The people working on these productions were able to adapt and overcome everything that the past few years has thrown their way. That on its own is an impressive accomplishment, and these awards and recognitions are so well deserved.
I was so thrilled to see this article - I had no idea about this award! I am always watching the ensemble when I go to see shows. It’s not a secret that they’re the lifeblood of the show, and they’re some of the most talented people I’ve ever seen. I know that it would be insanely difficult to get into a Broadway ensemble because they are the most gifted dancers - it boggles my mind. I think of a couple particular shows - NEWSIES. Newsies is a big one for this. At least half of the show is all of the boys doing the most impressive choreo you’ve ever seen. Same goes for Moulin Rouge!, which has the most daring and talented ensemble, Hamilton, Chicago - it’s endless. It’s funny - people who aren’t familiar with the industry, I feel, are inclined to think that being in the ensemble is some sort of relegation, when I feel like it’s the total opposite. I (and countless others) have been wanting a Tony Award for Best Ensemble for years. I hope that someday soon the Tonys will recognize the significance of having that award in the lineup.
I did not know that AEA gave out awards but it seems like it’s been happening for a few years. It kinda makes me wonder how much weight it carries in the industry but I think it is still a cool thing. I also think that awarding it to all of the chorus’ for 2020 was a cool thing. I do think that it seems a little strange for acknowledging people for basically losing their jobs. I hope that those that were acknowledged by AEA in their time of need, otherwise it could just feel like a slap in the face. I do appreciate the words spoken about the power of a person that takes on chorus roles. I personally can’t imagine taking on the talent and flexibility that being a chorus member takes. I wonder if they could be acknowledged with higher pay maybe. They deserve more, especially living in New York. I’m glad they were acknowledged but I believe that they deserve more than that from the industry. A lot of people do.
9 comments:
I think it is so important to recognize the people involved in theater who are not the stars and don't often get recognized. Ensemble members are some of those people who get recognized for their work far less than they should. Especially with the onset of the pandemic and covid shutting everything down, I think it is great that the ACCA made a special effort to honor all of the chorus members for all of the shows on Broadway. Without these vital members of our industry, no shows would be able to happen. They definitely deserve to be recognized with this award. I think that one of the few good things to come out of the pandemic is how less recognized artists are now getting much more recognition. From chorus members, to technicians, to understudies and swings, there are many people who are now getting honored and thanked for their work when they were not before.
It is so important to acknowledge everyone’s contributions to the show, no matter how big or small because the show could not happen without every single person working together to facilitate a production. Chorus members are so often overlooked because they do not have solo parts in a show, but they contribute immensely with dance numbers, vocal parts, harmonies, bodies on stage, and sometimes lines. It is wonderful that Actor’s Equity Association has taken the time to pay tribute to all of the chorus members who work tirelessly always, but specifically had their livelihoods taken away when sixteen chorus musicals were shutdown during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March of 2020. It is nice that this was given for the first time to a season collective rather than just one specific show because of how much they all went through. There is no way to separate one member’s contributions from another's.
I feel like the fact that Broadway was able to come back so strong after COVID is really impressive given how unknown things were for so long. Ensembles and standbys are the reason this was able to happen in my opinion. The fact that these groups were able to adapt to these changes was so impressive. This was mentioned in the article as one of the reasons all the ensembles won this award. When people would come down with COVID these are the people that would adapt to change and step in when needed. Ensemble and standbys are the reason Broadway shows were able to keep going. I feel like sometimes they are not recognized enough in this industry and glad they are finally getting some recognition. All people involved in a production are important, not just the lead faces of the production. So giving the ensemble and swings the spotlight I feel like is important to show how important what they do is
I love to see this effort put in to honor the swings and understudies of our industry! Especially when they are ensemble members that have to know multiple tracks, it can be a lot of information to hold in one’s head and body. If I think that just designing “In and Out” sheets as a part of my paperwork to track how the show would change if a cover went on, I’m sure actually fulfilling that role holds its own set of challenges. I hope there are also financial benefits to it, especially if one has been filling in for roles much more often than expected. I know there is some kind of additional fee, but I’m not sure how extensive it is. I believe the way each individual production treats its ensemble is also of vital importance. Providing enough put in rehearsals and lift/fight/intimacy calls should not fall low on a priority list.
This is really exciting to see. I think often regular (or-non theatre) folks who see shows aren't aware of the intricacies that go on backstage, including the chorus. I remember a lot of folks on social media working to explain the importance of swings and understudies to the general public, especially after all the hard work these people put in to keep shows going post-pandemic. I am really glad a large organization like this was able to give them the recognition they deserve, and at such an important rebuilding time for the whole industry. These are the people with complicated tracks and far too little recognition traditionally. I feel like industry folks often understand the work that goes into shows far beyond the 8 stars that get audience reaction, but it often doesn't make its way to the public, so this is a really heart-warming article.
I really like the effort AEA is putting in to honor and recogonize and validate the work and experiences of swings, understudites, covers, amd chorus members. These roles are just as integral as a lead role as they biold the world and keep the show running. I think IATSE needs to look into these type of roles (not chorus, but the others) for tech people. It would be so benifical to have understudy and swing tech people as the show realy is cancled when a technician can not make it. Just some food for thought.
This made me happy to see. It feels like this industry does not recognize these individuals enough, yet we all know how important these individuals are to a production. I feel like the pandemic brought a larger focus to every single person involved in a production and we are finally recognizing people other than the lead of a show. I’m glad that Actor’s Equity Association is working to publicly recognize some of the people that make a production complete. I was also surprised by the sheer number of shows that are being recognized by these awards; honestly, I was impressed. However, it does seem like it took awhile for these individuals to get recognized in this way. The people working on these productions were able to adapt and overcome everything that the past few years has thrown their way. That on its own is an impressive accomplishment, and these awards and recognitions are so well deserved.
I was so thrilled to see this article - I had no idea about this award! I am always watching the ensemble when I go to see shows. It’s not a secret that they’re the lifeblood of the show, and they’re some of the most talented people I’ve ever seen. I know that it would be insanely difficult to get into a Broadway ensemble because they are the most gifted dancers - it boggles my mind. I think of a couple particular shows - NEWSIES. Newsies is a big one for this. At least half of the show is all of the boys doing the most impressive choreo you’ve ever seen. Same goes for Moulin Rouge!, which has the most daring and talented ensemble, Hamilton, Chicago - it’s endless. It’s funny - people who aren’t familiar with the industry, I feel, are inclined to think that being in the ensemble is some sort of relegation, when I feel like it’s the total opposite. I (and countless others) have been wanting a Tony Award for Best Ensemble for years. I hope that someday soon the Tonys will recognize the significance of having that award in the lineup.
I did not know that AEA gave out awards but it seems like it’s been happening for a few years. It kinda makes me wonder how much weight it carries in the industry but I think it is still a cool thing. I also think that awarding it to all of the chorus’ for 2020 was a cool thing. I do think that it seems a little strange for acknowledging people for basically losing their jobs. I hope that those that were acknowledged by AEA in their time of need, otherwise it could just feel like a slap in the face. I do appreciate the words spoken about the power of a person that takes on chorus roles. I personally can’t imagine taking on the talent and flexibility that being a chorus member takes. I wonder if they could be acknowledged with higher pay maybe. They deserve more, especially living in New York. I’m glad they were acknowledged but I believe that they deserve more than that from the industry. A lot of people do.
Post a Comment