Let’s math it out. Say you earn $2,500 a week as a swing (the person who covers multiple roles). Gross annual: ~$120,000 if you work 48 weeks. Then subtract:
- Agent fee: 10% = $12,000 gone.
- Manager fee: sometimes another 10%.
- Union dues, taxes, headshot costs, travel to auditions.
Take-home: maybe $70,000 before you pay for your lifesaving kale smoothies. You’re still in “roommate-until-40” territory. Ironic, considering you’re performing for audiences paying $300 a ticket.
How Much Do Broadway Actors Make Per Year? - Broadway Behind The
And don’t forget: when the show closes, you’re unemployed. No severance. Poof.
