One of the most rapturous shows to open on Broadway this fall was the ensemble drama “The Ferryman.” But its biggest stir has come from a very little source—actually, four of them.
The Jez Butterworth play is making Broadway history with its inclusion of four actual infants who rotate the role of Bobby. But how, exactly, does a barely-cognitive baby end up on New York’s biggest stage?
“Legally, under New York state labor laws, the babies have to be [six] months old to get into the theater,” casting director Jillian Cimini tells the New York Post. No baby is allowed to be onstage for more than four performances a week, hence the four “actors,” and there’s also always a “backup baby” waiting in the wings, should a pre-show meltdown ensue.
The challenges don’t end there. “There’s no actual science to it because every baby’s different,” says Cimini, speaking to the fact that the baby must hit the six-month mark while not having yet learned how to roll or crawl.
READ: 6 Steps for Infant Auditions
And yes—because you’re definitely wondering—the babies get paid. In fact, each one makes just over $1,000/week, according to the Post, and yes, they also have to audition.
Carla Langley, who plays the drama’s eldest daughter and carries the baby during the majority of its onstage scenes, oversees the auditions, conducting a sort of work session with her would-be costar. “I have a lovely little cuddle with them and then we walk along the stage,” she says. “There’s some scary violin music at the top of Act II and some of the babies aren’t pleased with it at all.”
But of course, for a baby to end up on Broadway, it comes down to adults. Some babies were scouted at daycare centers and playgroups, while others were submitted directly by mom and dad.
In fact, if you happen to be a baby (or, more likely, you happen to know one), you can apply to the gig right here on Backstage. It certainly gives the term “Broadway Baby” to a whole new meaning, doesn’t it?
Check out more of Backstage’s kids auditions!