18th-19th Century Theatre Life

In the late 1700s and early 1800s, actors were viewed as outcasts. Their profession was thought to be sinful and many were excluded from the social society. However, when the mid-1800’s rolled around the view of actors and actresses had greatly improved. They were beginning to be seen as “prominent persons in society”. But their work life was not as sweet as their new social acceptance. The Work schedule was extremely grueling requiring constant focus, unlimited energy, mental strength, physical strength, and extreme dedication. Some actors rehearsed up to three shows a day along with preparing for the night’s performance. A single season could consist of anywhere from 40 to 130 shows, which could change daily. Professionals were expected to learn multiple parts at once. Actors in a company might have been prepared for up to 100 roles at any given time, and most were expected to learn a part within two days. The salaries of working actors varied according to their roles. Beginners earned about $3 to $6 per week while lead actors earned $35 to $100 per week. These were the average salaries during the antebellum period, and aside from the beginner’s they were considered generally good pay.


http://content.lib.washington.edu/19thcenturyactorsweb/essay.html