Q&A
A few people have been in touch with questions since the site was first published. Here are some of the Q&A between us. Some have asked not to include their names.
Q: Ms. Zarzour, First, thank you very much for developing this website! It looks great and there’s a ton of useful information. I’ve learned quite a bit already and haven’t had time to go through every page yet. My question is: What do I put on a resume for a theater audition when I haven’t done any theater since college? I acted in 14 university stage shows 12 years ago, but have done no theater, only films, in the meantime. Should I include the college work? I’m auditioning for the Cleveland Playhouse/Great Lakes Theater Festival (non-union) tomorrow. I know; should have thought of this before… Thanks in advance for your help. Undisclosed
A: Hi. Thanks for your question about resumes. I think that you should list all of the theater you have done regardless of the fact that it may have been in college. The people you audition for will be glad to know that you have the experience of working in the theater, which will give them much more confidence when they consider casting you. Good luck!
Q: Hi Ms. Zarzour, Thanks for your help with my resume question; now I have another, and I promise I’ll ease off them for awhile. Is there any way to tell whether or how much a theater pays performers before auditioning? Equity has a tier ranking of pay levels for types of theaters, but how do I find out what tier level a particular theater is? Of course theaters’ individual websites won’t announce anything like that, and it feels a little crass to ask in an audition how much the roles pay. I’d rather know going in whether I’m auditioning for a paying theater, and roughly at what level. Any way to know other than networking and asking about each one? Thank again, Undisclosed
A: Ya know, as far as I know, there really is no published resource for what theaters pay, although Equity does publish rates for the smallest theater contract that can be a good guideline for non-union actors to go by when you are at the point of negotiating. As far as knowing in advance what a theater pays non-union actors, you really just have to call and ask the managing directors or directors if and what they pay in advance of any audition. It’s not crass at all if you ask then. I would recommend taking a few days to do just that…… call the theaters that you think you’d like to work with and let them know that you are sincerely unaware of the pay status of their theater and would like to know for the future, since you intend to make this your living. It may be a pain to do, but other than taking your chances by asking after you’ve been cast, it’s the only sure way. The truth is that, where theater work is concerned, once you’ve become well known for good work, you will be able to ask for pay and more pay as you go. I am almost certain that all the theaters you auditioned for at the PACT auditions, do pay non-union actors, but most community theaters simply don’t pay. Obviously, eventually after doing allot of theater, you’ll get to know who/what theaters pay from your experience and talking to other actors who just can’t suppress that info! Thanks for writing and don’t hesitate to write with as many questions as you’d like. As a matter of fact, you ask such great questions, I’d love to publish our email correspondence on the website for others to read. Please let me know if that would be ok.
Your devoted advocate and Founder of the GOT PAY? Organization- Jean Zarzour