Editor:
Thank you, Christine Wood, for your “Stage performance an eye opener” column (Dec. 4).
Hopefully folks will realize the amount of time and dedication involved in stage performance and any other artistic undertaking, be it playing music or painting or something else.
I shake my head in disbelief when, giving a price quote for an artistic service or performance, people will balk, exclaiming, “You want how many dollars for a few hours work?” Little do they know the “performance” is but the tip of the iceberg, so to speak.
As a professional musician and teacher, my instruments cost thousands of dollars, and yes, I have put in my 10,000 hours of prep.
Also, for a single gig/show, there may be many hours rehearsing, etc. to give a quality performance, let alone the transporting and setting up of gear.
Add this all up, spread it across the time vs. remuneration, and you’ll get a wage way below the minimum wage.
Yes, it is a real job, and to share with others is a blessing. I’ve always felt honoured to be able to do what I do.
Barry Taylor, Davis Bay
