Downwardly mobile career move for
actors. In the hierarchy of the
theatre, shares the bottommost rung with the
usher, the
box office manager, and the
janitor. Salivates at prospect of
NEA grant. Will gladly
sell out to
Hollywood for
health insurance. (Playwrights typically work on a
contract basis and do not receive employee
benefits)
A Supposedly True Story
Neil Simon shows up at his 20th high school reunion. An old classmate comes up to him, greets hims, and says "So what have you been doing all these years?"
"Well, I'm a playwright."
"No kidding? So what does that pay?"
"I do all right."
"Don't be embarassed. Tell me. How much did you make last year?"
"About a million dollars."
"Wow. As a playwright. I tell ya, that's what I shoulda done."
Source: Koppett, Kat. "I Oughta Be a Playwright," The Storynet. August 2000. <http://www.thestorynet.com/archive/playwright.htm> (28 May 2002)