DIFFERENCES BETWEEN WORKING ON BROADWAY & THE WEST END | (CONTRACTS, WAGES & MORE) | Georgie Ashford 

The West End for sure. The pay might be higher, but the second you need health care, that difference disappears. Plus, job security with contracts is a wonderful thing.

As a longtime member of Actors Equity who spent many years working on Broadway, I am very grateful to belong to a strong union that really looks out for its members. I would love to spend a little time working in the West End for the experience though. Broadway performers, like the majority of Americans, are covered by health insurance. I find that Brits in general seem to think that all Americans have to lay out vast sums of money if they get sick and that's simply not true. Broadway productions get ten hours of rehearsal time per week in addition to eight shows without going into overtime. Producers generally prefer to use that time for clean up and put in rehearsals for replacements, not warmups. Broadway performers do their warmups of their choosing on their own time. Some performers have run of the play contracts, which means they have a job as long as the show runs, which could be years. But year long contracts ir six month riders are more common. There is a "more remunerative employment" clause in Equity contracts which means if you are offered a big role in a new show or a film that will pay you more, you can exit the contract. Judging from the cost of rent, New York City is not more expensive than London. On Broadway, the lowest paid performer makes over $100,000 per year, so of course competition for those jobs is fierce! Musicals are serious business here, and there are tons of highly-trained, highly-motivated performers trying to work on Broadway.

I’m from England so I think it feels more “achievable” to be in the west end, and would be absolutely AMAZING. All my idols however are from Broadway shows so it does seem “bigger” and “better” to me. EITHER WOULD BE A COMPLETE DREAM COME TRUE.

It would be intersting to hear about the difference between touring shows and shows in the west end eg wicked on tour vs wicked in london.

One minor correction: Having an Equity card doesn't guarantee you an audition here in the States. Producers are required to hold a certain amount of open calls, but if more people want to audition than they have time for (which happens all the time), well, some people don't get in. This is true of chorus calls as well as principal auditions.

Besides the things others pointed out, like healthcare, not wanting to live in the US (particularly new york - no thanks) etc, I also prefer the west end because it has a feel Broadway doesn't. It has this feeling of majesty and history. People tend to dress up more when they attend as guests as well. It's also so much more beautiful architecturally.

Always West End for me! I live in the UK so there’s that but I could never live in America long term! I’d love to do a brief stint on Broadway just to say I’d done it, but West End all the way!

Even though there are less people in the UK, I feel there are more entertainment cities in the US. Like you can get jobs in Vegas or Los Angeles ect. The UK has London

My dream is to be on the west end but I would love to perform on Broadway at least once in my life! Great video! Xx

Great video! I just want to clarify your first point about the contracts for Broadway, the rest you seem to be pretty spot on. There are a few different contracts on Broadway. We have the Principal Contract, (White Contract) which is a term contract, much like you have out there. They're usually 1 year for a new production, and 6 months for replacements. Sometimes if there's a "star" coming in, the contract is usually shorter. (Anywhere from 2 weeks to several months, depending on their availability) These contracts you're usually required to work the full term, although they are not impossible to get out of. (more remunerative employment) Then you have the Chorus Contract (Pink Contract) This is a run of the play contract. The performer can leave the production at any time, with a 4-6 week notice, depending on the terms of the contract. However, the producer can only remove an actor from the production for "just cause." This process they must go through a hearing with Equity and even if they win, they usually wind up paying a buy-out fee to the actor. (prior to "just cause" kicking in, any actor, regardless of the contract, can be removed from the production for any reason the producer sees fit.)

From an audience prospective (I am not a performer, just a massive theatre fan, and I lived in both cities), tickets in London are way more affordable vs NYC (which is awesome) and there are, generally, more ways to get discounted tickets.

The pay may be higher numerically, but there's likely very little difference in reality given the difference in housing costs, healthcare etc

Actually, for Broadway, only ensemble members get open ended contracts that allow them to leave shows whenever they want and stay for however long they want. Principal Broadway actors get contracts for a year and then the producers can renew them if they want the actors to stay in the show longer.

I feel like working in the West End is also a lot more appealing for European Nationals too! The distance is closer, the time zones aren't too far apart, etc.

While you have to be an AEA member to be on Broadway, you can become one by being cast in a Broadway show - rather than cumulating your points via regional theatre and what not. If you have a good agent, they can get you into the casting rooms (if you're AEA or not) and if you're cast, you're cast :)

I hope you’ll do a vlog about the role of subsidised theatres (the likes of the National Theatre, Royal Court, etc.) and the non-commercial ones (like The Old Vic) in the theatre going experience! Sometimes tourists would just focus on the core West End and then miss out on the wonders of what the subsidised theatres offer. Not to mention the fact that they are more affordable if you’re on a budget. Plus the differences in performing and expectations, how the audiences differ, etc.

This was super interesting, especially about equity! I guess the question about Broadway being harder to get into then the west end would depend on the number of roles available compared to the population size?!💕

Id be happy to work at the musical café or in the foyer in a theatre

Love both although the West End theatres are so much nicer than Broadway ones. Tickets are cheaper in the West End although I love the rush system in New York (I know we have day seats in West End). Interval ice cream is not such a thing on Broadway, instead you get a lot of noisy sweet packets. Finally I can’t remember a time when there hasn’t been a standing ovation on Broadway. The audiences are far more vocal and cheery on Broadway. Love the free Playbills too!

Definitely west end! There’s something about London I just love 😍❤️ plus I love being close to home, as I live in Manchester myself 🥰

Hey, I'm new here - RU-vid suggested a video of yours to me this evening and I've now watched about five with genuine interest and without getting even slightly bored. As someone who's had a casual interest in musical theatre for years, and knows bits about what goes on behind the scenes but not tons, your content is so insightful and (unsurprisingly, given your job!) you present so naturally and are really engaging. Doesn't feel copycat or like you're trying too hard, which can be the case with some RU-vidrs. I generally just whack RU-vid vids on in the background while I'm working out or something, but feel like I could sit and watch yours back-to-back for a good while. Just wanted to leave some public love 'cos you clearly put a lot of genuine effort and passion into this channel and it deserves more attention. Thank you and keep up the great work! (P.S - I know times are crazy tough for everyone who works in this industry atm, so hope you're getting by okay and that your great memories give you the boost you need to get through the tough moments. Keep taking it a day at a time, the curtain will rise again soon! ❤)

yes! the strict equity rules make it so hard to break into the business 😭 but they are also the reason the minimum pay is higher! also a small reason why tickets for broadway shows are much more expensive, though that also has to do largely with rent monopolies & ticket resellers 🙃

I choose west end over Broadway any day! I can’t fully explain it. I just love it

Hi, hoping you are well :) . The West End all the way. That was my dream as a child, and why I love the UK so much. I've never been to Broadway not even the US. Living happily in England and I can't wait for the West End to open

The US entertainment industry is very union heavy which is a good thing because there are lots of protective things in place for people. It can get very weird because a film writer might not have written the script of the film you see however because he is the first writer on the film he has to be credited. Also Whoopi Goldberg wanted to work for free on Star Trek however they had to pay her scale ie the minimum you can earn as an actor, you cannot not get paid even if you want too.

another difference between the West End and Broadway; in the West End Sunday is every shows dark day whereas on Broadway, it varies from show to show. I *THINK* "Phantom" is the only show on Broadway that has the same day off as in London.

Tbh comparing watching shows on Broadway and the west end, the west end is far better and cheaper. On Broadway we paid huge amounts and it felt so casual! When me and my friends go and see a show on the west end we dress up make a night of it but on Broadway it was like just a quick show on the way home, nobody dressed up (one women didn’t even take her woolly hat off lol) and the atmosphere just felt dull (don’t get me wrong the shows were good just not the experience) and it kinda spoiled it for me. X

When I first went to a theatre in London, I was surprised to learn that mini ice cream and bubbly/ wine are staples of the interval? I think this made thee second part of Mamma Mia! even more fun :)

I would love to be on broadway! It’s always been a dream of mine even though it’s really hard to get into, also I’m a Canadian so I love a lot closer to the us. BUT NOW IM CONSIDERING THE WEST END CAUSE ITS EASIER TO GET INTO

I live in the United States but my Mum is from England!! I would LOVE to perform on the West End, but with things like VISAs and stuff like that it is so hard to move to England. I would love to do both and hope to do both too! Thank you for these videos, love them :)

10000000000000000% would choose West End, London is my favourite city in the world! Also is it weird hwo I think there's more community in the West End?

I love musicals. In the West End I’ve seen Phantom ,Joseph, Miss Saigon,Martin Guerre,Lion King,Blood Brothers. I saw Starlight Express 21 times as my friend Paul Baker was in it 😀

Equity membership in the USA is a pain. As a member of British Equity, I was nearly fired from an American show, as I needed to be paid under US Equity rules for which there "must be a reciprocal agreement" with an actor in the UK. Well, there was not an American actor to be found! I was forced to leave British Equity and sign the contract as a non-union actor, which was kind of unfair. However, it was the only way that the theatre could keep me in the show. How odd!

Have you ever done a video where you talk about things people might not know about working in theatre? I heard that tipping your dresser is a thing so now I’m wondering if there’s loads more customs and traditions like this that I don’t know about.

I want to be in the west end, it’s the home of theatre it has the history and the culture and it’s no contest.

You to not have to be a dues paying Actor’s Equity member to work on Broadway. The producers must hire you on an AEA contract, but the individual can decide if they want to join the union when they receive that contract.

This is a wonderful video ❤️ Despite the difference I really couldn’t choose one over the other as they both seem so magical however Westend would probably be my choice as living in America is more expensive then living in Britain x

Great note on differences in Equity - although worth pointing out that even if you're not a member of Equity here in the UK; you are still employed under an Equity contract. And as Equity negotiate those contract with the Society of London Theatres on our behalf; if you are a member, you then get the chance to vote on any changes. And they'll also represent you in any disputes. Personally -I'm torn. US Equity makes working there restrictive; both in terms of NEEDING a card to work, and also limits on what one can work on in certain situations. The looseness of UK unions allow for a bit more freedom. However the clout of their unions in the US mean that your job rights, especially when it comes to exceeding working hours and break-times makes their system more appealing (especially to a Stage Manager such as myself).

So hard idk. I'm a huge fan of the UK but I love West End & Broadway and would love to perform on both. I just take it as it comes 🙈🙈😅

I'll be attending your legally blonde workshop at Bath uni, so excited thank you for doing it! 💛

West End. I loooove London 😍

The West End. I thrive on comedy and love being supporting characters in Shakespearean plays. Not great on musical theatre. Plus the Donmar Warehouse looks like an amazing space....

I'm not too sure how much experience you have with this but would you ever consider writing or producing your own show?

So interesting! I’ve always loved NYC and wanted to work on Broadway but I’d also LOVE to do a West End show, perhaps even more so if I ever visit London? Also, I’m Australian and I know just as far as paperwork etc goes I have a much higher chance of getting a job on the West End than Broadway, but either way I’ve got to keep up training 😂 love hearing the differences! Xx

I love this it’s awesome and very interesting ❤️❤️❤️

I wouldn’t necessarily say that because the Us Has a larger population means that it’s harder to work on Broadway than it is in the west end. Not everyone is interested in working in the theatre in the US, most people who want to act tend to do the film route and Los Angeles First. Whereas in the Uk the theatre is still the main training ground and development centre for budding actors. I would say they’re probably evenly both as tough as each other.

Loved this video, thanks Georgie x

Hi! I’d pick west end because I’m from ireland and it’s closer to my country so flights will be easier haha, I also just love west end so much

Could you do a video about differences in the UK auditions vs. US? Or specifically where/how auditions work in the UK?

I am in school of rock UK tour if this pandemic goes away so I am here just to learn a few little tricks to help. Amazing channel keep up the great work 👍👍👍👍👍

Broadway actors and stagehands are contracted as well

I don't think the higher population in the US necessarily makes it harder to get a job. They likely have a greater number of shows and jobs available to suit the larger population

I would rather work on the West End, because it would be so awesome to live in London and work with so many amazing performers!

would things also differ if you were to do a uk tour with a show?💗

BROADWAY ALL THE WAY!!!

I love both but I would defiantly rather Broadway

I would love to be on broadway, but west end is closer to home. So I can't choose, both, depending on the moment of my life

I'm already eligible for Equity (no reason to join at the moment since everything is closed) but, the West End has always been where I've dreamed to be & London is my favorite city in the world. But, as an American actor, I'm not sure if it'll ever be possible for me. The rules of how to legally get cast there are very confusing. 😢

Can someone explain to me why people think Broadway is better that the West End?

That was really interesting,

You are charming and I am really enjoying your presentations ☺

Great video. I do wonder though when you compare population size in each country is it not harder in the USA as any aspiring performer would need to relocate, potentially, a significant distance to be in a chance to audition and work in NY where in the UK, the London region is clearly closer for most people no matter where they are in the nation?

Could you do a video about UK equity? Pros and Cons?

Hi Georgie do you have to be a dancer to be in musicals? Are there always dance auditions for roles?

Don't be jealous of the US, they have health insurance to pay 😅 Super interesting video, can't imagine arriving at the theatre for the half, that is so intense 😬

West end pay is terrible tbh

Is equity a sort of actors union?

Hmm- don't think either one would want me, just saying...!

Either I just want to be on stage for the rest of my life

do you still work on the west end xxxx

Probably west end because I'm british 😂

I hear a lot about equity but don't know what it is. So what is equity?

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