The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-12-17
THE PAY OF PLAYERS.
seme Idea OF the Salaries Receivedby Actors
Observation-Disclosures Companies.
From the 81. zouis Globe Democrat

From the 81. Louis Globe Democrat
There are 10000 people in this country who
are wage workers and whose toll by day and
night. outside Of enrching about 4. 500 other
individuals. is meant only to I'LL the rest OF
mankind with delight. and represents no re-
suit more permanent or tangible than the fleet
ing sunshine of a smile or the vapor Of a JOY
that has filed human heart. Yot. according
to recent article published in New York
dramatic paper. the work Of this small army
calls for the payment of at least 1872 0OO0 900 an
nually in salaries. They labor through but
forty w"cks in each year, and during this
time their efforts bring millions of dollars to
than:. Tha Nav York paper already referred
to has the following anont this subject:
about 1900 theatres that kept open their doors
for an average OF forty weeks. Taking the
poor attraction with the star that MS ne
would bc about $3.50 Tor each theatre. or 1915
600 paid every might for amnsemept, through
total Tor ono week Of si.o5o.ooo or Tor Tho en-
tire season Of forty weeks. .sle2.ooo oo9. not
Ra Srsg IN .ds WIN IN r"nnS na
that said t to arpHnd d the 16s
control or pull The wires and set the machinery
in motion. These figures nre, after all, but mp
which in themselves would count .ioHaooo..
nor 40 they include the circus world, which Ia
not represented on lie n.!!.aito."
nq n men o whS are on as
ures q the above kind that are published nov,
their method of business, or the rewards they
obtain or the misiortunos that fal to their ,9t
whr 1hsr workng SEASON u.s. insts p
received $1,000 z concert from Abbey during
last season. which she didn't and that Chris
tine Nilsson will get - 900 for each evenings
singing during the American tour she il about
70 enter upon. which she won't get and people
is nothing. but glorious fortune for the portion
OF every p PLAYER in tho land. and untold wealth
nrnsey SALARIES ri only for the few q, The
lower rnnks-are scarcely better rewarded than
people in other professions who are not subject
UP with the hardshps and perils OF constant
travel. 4 there is any difference IN the amounts
and " he ex
cess in faver OF the stage does not begin to
make up for the lost pleasures Of home and the
vide circle Of friends whose ' very ~ greetns has
aAbSSa eyy paa ana w p
Nilsson 81, OOOand all her expenses; he will pay
ssfs 1865
awcck from the y, Madison sanars Theatre pe9-
PLAYING Danstan in Hazel Kirke:.' Charles
TaoF1s as sss an Of ne np2n
bert. the veteran comedian. is paid n like
amount, James Lewis. at Days Theatre. and
company. have each over 500 week. These
people are all well known: their names stand
the worlds amusements. and their pay il
commensurate with the advertising drauxht
Wh ana ws
they are paid and what they must pay out
and heR rn. the the
tion-{he player has, not received any more
CANT t expenses and neither himself nor any
fruits Of his labor as the fruits of the nom
theatrical mans work have been enjoyed by
IN any n branch " Of the sr e profession
nowadays who are not circumspect in their
modes Of living and try to be very careful with
that the fact that they do not grow rich With
workers can be attributed only TO the other
fact that they are not any better paid;
d. Berreli, stage manager Of the Grand Opera
House and 0Emnis the subject OF aft3 RS
salaries had advanced in the past FIVE or ten
years, but the increase was not more than sufli-
actor is called upon to bear In the days, of
stock companies an actor or actress VINO
had been engaged Tor q season by
theatre could secure good board at So and
- week; now that he must fit through
a ahS n cGe rs hfS o there ns sr
heavy travelling expenses to be paid. amount
ing to tl5 or 500 week. Sometimes he can
have to pay = so or 81. He ges more salary ry
now than he did ten years ago, but the excess
goes to. the hotel keeper. the railway eating
house, Nc. There is no more money in this
work now than thcrc was when he had Il pcr-
manent home and his life was not beset with
IL vol
What does the salary list of frst-cass
dramatic company amount to- the Reporter
h '5SS.;, ,,say company Ike John MeCuI-
John Mccullough / think" said Mr. Berrell.
d. not know the exact AMOUNTS paid to ind-
ydunl- but Fred Ward when he was McCu-
E4nna CGieT Snppoc GO COTS t rom 500 TO-
$50 Joe Haworth .;5o'to 500, John Lane about
w MyS'i rom " 5 to .6 wsSk ana S hs aS
corps have salaries ranging from $40 to s35,nn
Milton. wilet is paid profanity sos. x leadine
lady. like Miss Forsyth. can command from
s Woman H. Ms Fo wSsH from Sn" .s5 to So So
The legitimate companle;; are the costlicst.
has a much lighter sn'nry' list. Now l sup
poso Zoe tm Inn does not Pay his company
Trg MS css m SS sa NhS an
in first class dramatic company, may get.
like Charley Thornn, $3.50, OF. like Frederic de
way dSwa to s7S Tna m xurrs i ior eang
ladies 60 through the same wide range. from
Sara Jcwett AT the highest salary down to tho
as class. A good low comedian who has made
his mark can command from $40 up to SO. the
latter figure If lie is Of any prominence be
old man will be paid from soto $50 and he
who plays the Genicc polished villain from
$40 to $50, and possibly Hs much as so.
"A sOuhrctte. PLAYING chuinhnrmaid parts
gets n salary ranging from SS6 To $40 and tho
small Try of II company an. Included in the
number OF those who ASK and 'c'nivr from $40
to $40 week; In mclo-dranntlc companies OF
the real old blood-and thlndGr kind good suia-
RES are paid. James II. Wall0ck Of thu Jesse
james combination, that VIII appear at tho
Peoples most week lsa good actor, and is prob
ably pGld SI5 week. certainty not less than
900. VhN cross r1alor4 and fy-hy- NiGht com
rani"s. that play in one night towns. usually
give a leading man ur leading lady $40 a week
and board. and the lighter peoulc got ~ little
a. s. q week snA board. one of these harm
stormiug organizations can 80 into q village
a,,,, MASS u.crcy n They got a so uousr Tor
each performance. With thi~ amount they can
pay salaries, board, railroad fares, bin pustiu
Advertising. rent. license. N"., ana lave a lew
dollars leit over for the manager
Wv hat l. called ~ good house lOrap average =
"WGll, SO estimate good opening, SUNDAY
night here at the Grand Opera House, or
Ulymuir at s 800 or Il 500. IL good house Will
foot up about $500, y igr house l50, and when
thorr L. only about i21l az $500 tn" house ia