Ever wonder how young thespians deal with show times, rehearsals, and school? Who takes care of the young actors during the show? Can Mom and Dad wait in the wings? What about the government? Aren't there laws about child workers?

“Yes, there are,” says Maria Somma, spokesperson for Actors’ Equity Association, the union that represents professional stage actors. “First of all, we honor all applicable child labor laws as outlined by the U. S. Department of Labor and each state." Ohio does not require any kind of work permit for children, "but beyond that, we also have our own procedures and precautions to insure the safety and well-being of child performers.”

There are two girls and two boys who share the roles of Jane and Michael Banks in MARY POPPINS. These children alternate the roles; each performing four shows every week. Their ages can range from 8 to 13. To get cast in the show they had to audition, then, once cast, they have to travel with the National Tour. So…who takes care of the children at the theater?

The show’s producer hires “wranglers,” who are responsible for the children from the moment they arrive at the theater until the minute they leave the building. “The wranglers take care of the kids, and accompany them to their entrance points on stage,” says Somma. “And they are right there each time they exit, too."

MARY POPPINS has a wrangler from On Location Education who also provides tutoring so the children can keep up with their studies while on the road. The children are required to work at least 15 hours a week with the tutor. Since there are only four children in the show, needless to say, they get concentrated time and attention. On Location Education has provided tutors for shows such as: The Lion King, Billy Elliot, The Little Mermaid and Radio City Christmas Spectacular.

What about Mom and Dad? Can they wait backstage? Do they get free tickets to every performance?

“We tell the parents or guardians to make sure that the child is there to sign in 30 minutes before each show, which is standard Equity rules,” says Somma. “We also tell them to check the callboard (a bulletin board backstage with important information) for any changes. And be there to pick them up after the show, of course.”

Parents and guardians sometimes like to be backstage during rehearsals and/or performances, but Equity rules often limit backstage access to only people working in the show. Sometimes the company manager can provide the parents with 'house seats' (tickets that are held back from public sale a few days before the show), but these tickets are not complimentary and not always available.

What is the Equity salary range? “There are minimum salaries and per diems, too,” says Somma. Per Diem is out-of-town expense money. “Currently, the minimum weekly salary is $1,558.00 and per diem (per day) is $118.00. (Salary changes will be taking effect on August 1st.) Obviously, some performers earn more than the minimum, but that is negotiated individually for each show and contract.”

But what if one of the children need some time off? MARY POPPINS has standby children that are trained and live in the Chicago area. The standby children don’t travel with the company, but are on call for vacations and other events such as injury or illness.

Want your child to have a career in theater? Check out The Young Performer's Guide: How to Break into Show Business by Brian Padol and Alan Simon. This book will give you the ins and outs of a child's career in the performing arts.

For more information, go to:
Actors' Equity Association
U. S. Department of Labor
or On Location Education

Photo: (L to R) Abigail Droeger as ‘Jane Banks’ and Christopher Flaim as ‘Michael Banks,’ perform “A Spoonful of Sugar.” Original National Tour Company of MARY POPPINS. ©Disney/CML. Photo by Joan Marcus.