<p>My S has definitely made more money doing commercials than anything else (stage, TV or voice-over). He was just so “gosh-darn-cute” when he was little. Still cute, but his voice (bass) doesn’t match his body so he can only do “silent” roles now! :)</p>
<p>For overall context, here is the breakdown of total acting employment for Equity + SAG/AFTRA, based on earnings:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Commercials 36%</p></li>
<li><p>Film 26%</p></li>
<li><p>Television 24%</p></li>
<li><p>Stage 14%</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Broadway is about 5% of the overall total, a little more than 6% if you include tours.</p>
<p>Emsdad, thanks for this. Very informative. And I like your title, “Nice Work If YOu Can Get It.” Appropriate. And Gershwin is one of my favorites.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t include tours as B’way–the pay is lower. </p>
<p>What about cruises and Disney in your stats? Are these included as part of stage? If so, what percentage? Thanks!</p>
<p>Are there any stats on the likelihood of someone in music theater marrying someone rich?</p>
<p>Hahahahaha</p>
<p>@connections - the stats only include union work, which does include Disney (which is 6% of Equity!) but does not include cruises, non-equity tours, and non-equity theatres. I don’t think that the earnings from these opportunities is a very large number in the grand scheme of things, although they are certainly a large part of the available work for recent grads. Regarding Gershwin, how many Broadway composers have also written works like Rhapsody in Blue, American in Paris, and his monumental Piano Concerto in F? He stands alone in my book.</p>
<p>@jeffandann - I think most BFA programs have a class in that…</p>
<p>^^ Ok, I have to include Leonard Bernstein up there with Gershwin.</p>
<p>I’m trying to make sure my D goes to a program with a med school sitting right next door. But seriously, does your analysis show any data on Disney employees or cruise tours in terms of salary, etc. My daughter has expressed interest in performing for Disney either t one of the parks or on one of the cruise ships after she graduates, or for other cruise ship lines, and I’d be interested in any data on earning potential for such positions.</p>
<p>@jeffandann - Disney pays an average of $741 dollars per week (see Post #37). Since this includes veteran performers, the scale for newbies may be lower, but perhaps their MT performers get higher rates… I have no data on Cruise Ships but I think if you google around there is a blog or two that lists some typical numbers.</p>
<p>My d is also a Disney-hopeful.</p>
<p>I work at Disneyland. I know many of the performers from my son’s theatre. The parades, shows, street performers, princesses, etc, are mostly college kids and these are part time jobs. They do love it! You have to re-audition for each thing. Some I know were the summer parade and not cast in the Christmas parade- out of work! You have no control. The first thing they do is measure you- you have to fit the costume and then they look at your availability. Grueling casting.</p>
<p>Most Cruise ships are cast by companies that audition you and then list you as available foe their next open spot. We have a friend on that list but has not been put on a ship. Boys have it easier. What a surprise!</p>
<p>Thanks. Sorry, I should have caught that earlier post.</p>
<p>I believe that UCF has a very close connection with Disney World and many of their MT kids get placed in the Disney World shows (although I swear some of the “Festival of the Lion King” actors have been there for 10 years - we go every year).</p>
<p>I agree about the Lion King actors, we go every year. She didn’t apply to UCF but some of the schools she did allow internships so hopefully she’ll get opportunities with the Disney company that way.</p>
<p>Their employment websites list internships that anyone can apply for. There are many up now and the parks are full of new interns. Check out their site disneycareers. The"entertainment" casting is always on the list and will refer you to the entertainment casting website. They will be casting soon for a new show that starts this summer. You can also search for internships from that site. It is for all their parks.</p>
<p>@theatremomma - by the way, I wish that I worked at Disneyland!</p>
<p>EmsDad, I wish there were stats on median as opposed to average!–that would help with the issue of the top salaries skewing the average.</p>
<p>Averages, means, medians, whatever, none of it means anything. We all know that the majority of actors barely get by or wind up leaving eventually. There are a group (probably the largest of the “successful” actors) who work fairly steadily but we really have no idea who they are. I knew a guy who raised four kids, sent them all to college, etc. but it wasn’t until I met him that I started seeing him on shows. He played the judge or the grandfather or teacher, whatever. Not a “star” or “celebrity” just a hard working guy fortunate enough to succeed in his chosen profession. Of course, tv pays better than stage if for no other reason than residuals. My daughter still gets checks from something she did when she was 14!</p>
<p>None of these stats really matter and tells us nothing we don’t already know. Most of our kids will not be supporting us when we are old and gray!</p>
<p>@amtc - these stats may mean nothing to you, which I appreciate, but I think they do help some of us internalize and clarify the situation. For example, without digging into the numbers, since I have no experience in the entertainment industry, I would not have known that it makes really good sense for MT kids to think about diversifying into commerical work whenever possible. If my d calls me up after graduation now and asks, “which audition should I do, a commercial or a part off-Broadway,” I can say, “think really hard about doing the commercial!” Of course, this is an overly-simplified example and depending on many factors it may make more sense to do the off-Broadway audition. However, for me anyway, having some facts and context to help structure decision-making is always a good thing. Also, the “conventional wisdom” can sometimes be an oxymoron. And no one wants to be an oxymoron.</p>
<p>EmsDad - If your daughter is lucky enough to have to make that decision, her agent will guide her and possibly even work it out so she can do both. (Commercials are fast and lucrative, often taking only one or two days.) I know it might make you feel better to research this stuff but once your daughter has experienced four years of college her knowledge will be much greater than yours; and she might even snub her nose at commercials (although her agent probably won’t let her). It’s a long and arduous process, just know that money is rarely a motivating factor.</p>
<p>I suggest reading a few of the books recommended in the MT forum, it will both enlighten and horrify you.</p>
<p>amtc, some of us are of an analytic nature and like seeing figures like this to help advise our children.</p>