Are Broadway Performers Being Shortchanged by Touring Productions? The answer might surprise you.
Social media has been buzzing lately with a heated debate: are actors in touring productions like Mamma Mia! and Beetlejuice getting a raw deal when they hit the Broadway stage? The controversy ignited even before the announcement of Trisha Paytas joining the Beetlejuice cast, adding fuel to the fire. But here's where it gets controversial: these shows aren't the first to leverage touring contracts for their Broadway runs. Just last season, The Wiz followed a similar path, treating its New York stop as part of a tour.
Here’s how it works: when a touring show lands in New York, regardless of its tier contract, the Broadway engagement is automatically bumped up to a Tier 1 status. For instance, actors in Beetlejuice on tour earn a minimum of $1,077 weekly under a Tier 5 contract. However, on Broadway, their pay jumps to $2,599—the Tier 1 minimum. And this is the part most people miss: a standard Broadway production contract guarantees actors at least $2,638 weekly, which is slightly higher. Stage managers also see a smaller difference: $4,272 on tour versus $4,334 on Broadway.
But it’s not as straightforward as it seems. On tour, producers cover housing and provide a per diem. In New York, actors receive either a $66 per diem or single-occupancy housing for the first four weeks (assuming three months’ notice). While this might initially appear less favorable, the tier bump for lower-tier tours often results in higher pay than they’d get on the road. Yet, does this truly compare to what traditional Broadway performers earn? For the first four weeks, perhaps—since rent in New York often exceeds the $156 weekly salary difference. But these engagements typically last longer, and the overall salary gap remains minimal: just $468 for actors and $744 for stage managers over 12 weeks, both less than a month’s rent.
Here’s another wrinkle: on tour, Actors’ Equity members receive an automatic overage bonus, which disappears during Broadway engagements. Additionally, tours must requalify for their tier status every 52 weeks, and advance notice is required for New York stops, preventing permanent Broadway residencies without negotiation. While some performers have successfully negotiated higher salaries, it’s understandable why union members view these arrangements as loopholes to avoid paying full Broadway rates.
On the flip side, some see these engagements as opportunities. One Beetlejuice ensemble member shared that, while they’d prefer Broadway wages, performing in New York offers greater exposure and the chance to be seen by industry professionals. Many cast members also have personal ties to the city. If the tour were the only way Beetlejuice could reach New York, it’s a win for many—though not all. However, this doesn’t settle the debate over whether they should earn the same as performers in similarly sized theaters with comparable expectations.
Here’s a surprising twist: Local 802, the musicians’ union, treats these engagements as full Broadway runs, ensuring Beetlejuice musicians receive the same treatment as their Broadway counterparts. This means a strike by Local 802 would affect these touring productions, while an Equity-only strike would not—though solidarity strikes could blur these lines.
So, where does this leave us? After the recent uproar, it’s likely these New York engagements will be a key negotiation point in the next touring agreement. For now, though, the focus remains on the Production Contract—and for good reason.
Update: Despite prior approval from an Actors’ Equity spokesperson, an error in the minimum salary figures was identified and has since been corrected.
Food for thought: Is this a fair compromise for performers, or a clever workaround by producers? Should touring casts in New York receive the same pay as traditional Broadway performers? Share your thoughts below—let’s keep the conversation going!
