CROMWELL, Conn. — Story by Emily Sullivan, Cromwell High School
From the directors. The choreographers. The crew. The performers. So much goes into making a performance fantastic.
But is it really worth it? Even when the entertainment industry is booming, it is a high-risk business for anyone involved. Compared to other careers, performers do not get the recognition they deserve.
Brooke Ishibashi, a Broadway performer currently playing Florinda in "Into the Woods" on Broadway and national tour, says “There is no guaranteed meritocracy within the creative economy. The most skilled, trained, and experienced arts workers are not guaranteed rewards, recognition, or compensation.”
For a show, an average of 10,000 people will audition which means only the top 10% will get casted in the show. This is one of the most common problems most performers need to work and deal with. Brooke says that one of the main struggles performers face is, “Finding work/life balance, tending to health and wellness, lack of job and financial security and stability, and navigating outdated power structures that oppress and harm marginalized communities'.”
With all these other issues, performers must deal with societal judgment.
Senior performer, Abby McGough, is currently studying musical theater with a dance minor at Rhode Island College and knows first hand of public scrutiny.
McGough says “It definitely is something that I think about all the time, but going to college made me so much more confident in my choice.”
Thankfully people like Brooke are working to make change. Be An #ArtsHero is an organization composed of arts & culture workers pushing the Senate to give relief to the Arts & Culture sector of the American economy.
Brooke is a co-founder of the organization and holds the job of Director of Talent Outreach & Equity, Diversion & Inclusion. To learn more about Be An #ArtsHero follow their social media @BeAnArtsHero! So even though these performers struggle on a daily basis we hope nothing will stop the younger audience from getting to the stage.
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