The Actors Fund survey of the Broadway community concerning the pandemic has alarming results. ”
Here it is. It’s not good news.
The survey identified significant loss of income, food insecurity, lost housing, financial hardship and concerns about the future, among others. The survey, which has a margin of error of +/- 1.2%, was conducted by Morey Consulting.
The majority of the respondents to the survey, who come from all parts of the United States, work in television and/or film (67% and 64% respectively), followed by theater (49%), music (24%), digital (19%), performance art (15%), radio/audio (15%), dance (13%), cultural center/performance venues (11%), clubs (6%), and theme parks (4%). Eight percent work in some other area of entertainment or performing arts.
Joe Benincasa, CEO of The Actors Fund, said: “The last year has exposed how vulnerable people in our community are. We need to continue to provide critical support while the industry safely returns to work, and we intend to continue to explore ways to ensure more access to our services going forward.”
Impacts of Covid-19
The median household income among all respondents was $34,186. Given the low income and lack of savings, it is not surprising that the economic impact of Covid was greatest, with 76% of those surveyed saying they lost income, 62% reporting they lost part-time or gig employment, and 49% lost full-time employment in entertainment. Of the respondents who lost full-time or part-time employment in the entertainment industry, 22% do not know when they will return to work, 29% expect to return in less than six months, 34% in six to 12 months, 11% in one year.
Income loss of course impacted other areas of respondents’ lives, including:
· 28% fell behind in rent or mortgage
21% are six or more months behind while 30% are one month behind, 24% two months behind, 16% three months behind, 6% are four months behind, and 3% are five months behind
69% of respondents rented their homes, 24% owned their homes and 7% had some other living arrangement
· 20% were forced to change housing
68% of those who lost housing moved to another state, 28% to another city within the state and 4% percent have moved outside of the United States
31% of these respondents do not know when their housing will return to pre-Covid conditions.
13% of NYC respondent residents moved out of New York State, 7% of Los Angeles area respondent residents moved out of California.
Of those who have not lost their housing, 5% said they were likely and 12% said they were somewhat likely to lose it when the eviction moratorium is lifted.
10% had to sell a large asset, such as a house or a car.
40% of the respondents reported reduced food security.
Impact on BIPOC Entertainment Professionals
BIPOC respondents – approximately 27% of those surveyed – were more likely to experience reduced food security, forced housing change, increased credit card or other debt, and/or to have changed utility usage as compared to white respondents.
Health Insurance & Mental Health
Access to health care remains a significant challenge for survey respondents. 10% of the respondents reported that they lost health insurance and have not had it replaced. A stunning 79% reported that Covid-19 has had a negative impact on their mental health, pointing to increased feelings of anxiety or depression, symptoms of stress, and a decreased ability to cope with economic uncertainty.
Among respondents who have lost health insurance and do not have health insurance now, 13% expect to have coverage in less than 6 months, 18% in 6 to 12 months, 17% in 1 year, and 11% in 2 years or more. 40% do not know when they will have health insurance again and 1% never expect to have health insurance again.
BIPOC respondents were slightly more likely to have lost health insurance and not have health insurance.
Respondents who have health insurance were asked the likelihood of losing their health insurance in the next 12 months. 16% of respondents said they were very likely to lose insurance, 20% somewhat likely, and 38% were not at all likely to lose health insurance in the next 12 months. 25% of respondents do not know if they will lose their health insurance in the next 12 months.
