From: Christopher Hudert <heyhoot-AT-mindspring.com> Date: Mon, 18 May 2009 11:57:01 -0400 To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] First Puppets On May 12, 2009, at 10:11 PM, Hobey Ford wrote: > Christopher also has a good point in that it really must be a hassle > and perhaps not a performance to look back on and think how great a > venue was that, But then think of what it would mean to your grand > kids to know that we performed there in an historical sense? Okay, the gig was a hassle in some respects. But it was also a good time and something for the personal history book. As I said before, not only did I perform there, I met a lot of great people (some of them stars/celebrities, some not) and have photos of me at the White House. Some were photos I took, others were official White House Photos. Let me frame it out for those who are unfamiliar with the gig. It is the Easter Egg Roll at the White House. If I recall correctly, it is the Monday after Easter. We always had to be there VERY early in the morning - like 4:30 or 5:00 - to go through security and such. That was the time to be at the security gate - you had to leave extra time for parking and the treck to the gate, so you had to be there even earlier. Then, once you cleared security, there was a LOT of standing around before anything actually happened, as the event didn't start until much later - after 8:00, I think. Easter is typically March/April, so it is still pretty chilly in DC, particularly at the crack of dawn. Performers are scheduled to do a spot on one of the stages and/or roving entertainment. Over the years I did both. When the gates open for the public, THOUSANDS of people flood in. There are lots of entertainers, greats and unknowns, amateur and professional alike, and lots of things going on. It is a HUGE event. As an entertainer there, you are only one of dozens (if not hundreds). There are costumed characters/mascots, clowns, puppeteers, magicians, singers, high school bands, etc. And stars and celebrities. And all of the entertainers are second fiddle to the main event - the Egg Roll and the Easter Bunny. This is not the event that focuses or revolves around you and you alone. But even after all of that, it is still THE White House you're performing at, and that's pretty cool. I don't know if any of the performers get paid, but I know many did not - myself included. Except for the fact that some of us were being paid as entertainers from another source, and this was considered a publicity event. Several times when I was there I was on the payroll of the Circus and we were playing DC at the time, so while I was not being paid by the White House, I was being paid to be there. Same would be true of others like Willard Scott and the Today Show crew, Ronald McDonald, etc. They were paid, but not by the White House. Others, particularly those who were not professionals, did it for free for the honor and "bragging rights" of performing at the White House. Sometimes someone in the current First Family would watch you perform, and maybe even meet you in person. More often you would never know if they did. Sometimes you would be a part of a photo opportunity with any level of Government official or family member. I have a photo of me with Nixon, and a photo of Reagan that I am in, and a photo of my wife with Tipper Gore. I also have event credentials and/or memorabilia from many other times there. Anyway, I'm getting off on a tangent. My point is that you may or may not get paid to perform at the White House or any other governmental event. It would depend a lot on what the event was, if it (or you) were sponsored by someone or an agency, what you were doing, your negotiating abilities, and so on. Some events that I worked, I was first requested to do for free, most I was able to get paid for or politely turned down. I recall the event at the Vice President's house. It was connected to a charity of some kind. When I was called for that, they asked me to donate my services. They even told me that Maya Angellu (sp?) and Barbara Streistand (sp?) were going to be there. I wanted to say that, when I made as much for one appearance as Babs, I'd gladly donate my time, but until then I had bills to pay. I didn't say that, but I did get paid - though I gave them a bit of a discount. I would imagine that if you were to do a private event for the Obamas, you would probably get paid. It's not like the guy doesn't get paid to be President, and he seems to have a pretty realistic idea that people need to make a living, so I kind of doubt you'd be asked to do the gig for free. A big, public function? Well, that's handled entirely differently, and you may be asked to donate your services. Would I do the White House and/or Easter Egg Roll again if the opportunity arose? It a strong possibility, paid or not. Would it still be a hassle? Yeah, but like all of life, some hassles come with the package. It's kind of like that chocolate bunny at Easter - you gotta tear through the cellophane, open the box, and peal back the foil to get to the chocolate. Kind of a hassle, but it's worth it every once and a while. Christopher _______________________________________________ List address: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org Admin interface: http://lists.puptcrit.org/mailman/listinfo/puptcrit Archives: http://www.driftline.org
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