Playhouse on Park
- Performer
Truly one of the most bizarre experiences of my career. It's in CT so if you're in the city, not a bad travel distance, but there's a lot so here we go: TRAVEL: They do reimbursements the normal way, but when you are there, you travel in a white van. It's a white van that cast members must share and to drive anywhere, the person that signed can be the only one to use the given vehicle. CONTRACT: This got me heated. Everyone got paid the same amount, which the amount wasn't bad for Non-Union job of $490 for 7-8 shows/w. But what got me furious is everyone got paid the same. There was a swing member that was local that showed up to the Tues-Sun rehearsal days only twice a week, and for the shows only showed up once a week unless they were going on for a role that got paid the same as everyone else, which in my opinions extremely unfair. To the leads who were on for basically the whole show 7-8 times a week had the same wage as a swing member that was there once a week. (NOTE: yes, swings, understudies, leads, etc. are all important, but the fact they got paid for doing the least amount of work or even being there is truly disrespectful for those who are) HOUSING: You live. in. a. senior. home. with. the. seniors. REHEARSALS: The rehearsals are quite productive, but only when your time isn't being wasted. They call everyone 9-6 and since there's only a singular van with a singular driver, you're stuck there until you get to your scene or etc. One of my cast mates didn't do anything until 3pm which was well after lunch break. WORK ENVIOREMENT: The rehearsal studio and dressing rooms are tiny. tiny. tiny. PROD TEAM: Some were great, some were truly baffling. The costumer for fitting once you got there had 1 suitcase. Inside the 1 suitcase were Salvation Army clothes unwashed with the tags still on mismatching outfits out of them. We also had to change in a public bathroom for the fitting, which was an extremely unpleasant experience. And this one really hurt-RESPECT: For a sizzle reel, I was out due to strep and in the final credits of that said sizzle real, the role I was playing was credited as the swing who was on for me and my name was nowhere to be seen. The work I've put in, in contributing to the blockings, choices, etc. were credited to the swing member that was barely there, and I myself was left speechless. The company itself is fairly new, and the theatre itself is quite lovely, but I know my worth and I personally wouldn't work there again. For first timers, I hope the experience is better.
Anonymous - 06/01/2024