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Charging To Be In A Show (Read 3087 times)

Reply #10 - May 24^th, 2009 at 10:19am

The Dark Knight Ex Member

Only In Las Vegas wrote on May 24^th, 2009 at 9:42am:

Quote:

I just want to ask everyone a a question: would any of you actually conisder paying a fee to be in a production? I would not, but I would be curious to hear other people's thoughts.

I thought that that was one of my questions that I had posted............

Sorry, obviosuly I did not read as carefully as I thought.

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Reply #11 - May 24^th, 2009 at 5:05pm

Only In Las Vegas Offline
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Quote:

Only In Las Vegas wrote on May 24^th, 2009 at 9:42am:

Quote:

I just want to ask everyone a a question: would any of you actually conisder paying a fee to be in a production? I would not, but I would be curious to hear other people's thoughts.

I thought that that was one of my questions that I had posted............

Sorry, obviosuly I did not read as carefully as I thought.

No prob!

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Cried for continuous hours
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A girl who turned her back on the world
and a girl who did nothing but love someone.

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Reply #12 - May 24^th, 2009 at 5:32pm

Mister Grinch Offline
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spiker wrote on May 24^th, 2009 at 10:10am:

I would not pay a fee to participate in a show. �At all. �A refundable script deposit is understandable. �Providing my own costumes (that I get to keep) is also sometimes understandable (although not preferable). �I also would not pay a fee for my children to participate in a show unless there were hours specifically devoted to instruction as part of the process.

If I were starting a theatre company (which I'm considering), I would assume that all production costs come out of my own pocket until I start to turn a profit. �And I would plan shows and production elements with that in mind. �

Here's the way I heared it: That's what producers are for. �And angels and backers. �Forming a theatre company, to me, has always implied that you will take the financial responsibility. �If you invite the actors to be part of the governing body and/or offer them some of the dividends of their work then it kind of makes sense. �But if you're essentially hiring people and having them pay for the privilege to work for you... that seems weird to me. �Like I said, that's what producers are for.

There is one thing you never put in a trap, if you're smart - if you value your continued existence - if you have any plans about seeing tomorrow there is one thing you never EVER put in a trap.� Me.

Listen, I don't know what sort of kids you've been flying around with in outer space, but you're not telling me to shut up!

As long as I don't bleed or cry, I'll do it!

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Reply #13 - May 26^th, 2009 at 8:41am

gem2477 Offline
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Well. . . it's a little theatre troupe run mostly for children. They perform where ever they can. I know the lady who owns this company, and she is more of a "pay for the privilege" type of person. I also think the theater out in Ogden where she works and directs a lot with was run basically in the same way. The lady who started that theatre was her mentor.

That being said, I think the actors are already giving up major blood, sweat, and tears to keep this troupe running. They are coming to rehearsal instead of doing something else that they might want to do. They are already going to be doing stage crew and helping get the scenery up. I feel that's enough payment to the troupe. Asking for money is like asking someone else foot the bill so that you can run your company. (if it's for a class, that's a different story you can ask for tuition, of course). I don't mind buying little things for my costume like special shoes, nylons, etc, though.

But if people want to pay to participate, that's their choice, I guess.

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Reply #14 - May 26^th, 2009 at 8:58am

gem2477 Offline
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Just saw the audition announcement. $200 is a bit steep to ask. If there were hours devoted to teaching dynamics of the theatre (lighting, tech) I guess that would be better, but my guess is "instruction" in those things doesn't equal actual classes.

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Reply #15 - May 26^th, 2009 at 9:19am

Hedgehog Offline
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Two Thoughts;

1) The reason we accept paying fees for children's theaters and camps and workshops is not only because we hope that also equals classes and training, but also that it GUARANTEES a part in a show or production. I teach Youth Theater. And all the kids in my classes will be in the show. They audition for specific parts, but they're all cast. So having someone audition for the privilege of whether or not they can pay that fee seems a little ridiculous to me.

2) If actors are sharing the financial responsibility of putting on a show, should they not also share any prospective reward or profit? I know a small theater company back in NYC that runs that way. Several actors and crew put on shows, but what they make (after covering expenses) it divided among them. In essense, paying to put on the show makes you a producer, doesn't it?

Things are rarely "just crazy enough to work," but they are frequently "just crazy enough to fail hilariously. &&&&

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Reply #16 - May 26^th, 2009 at 9:56am

gem2477 Offline
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Hedgehog wrote on May 26^th, 2009 at 9:19am:

Two Thoughts;

� 1) The reason we accept paying fees for children's theaters and camps and workshops is not only because we hope that also equals classes and training, but also that it GUARANTEES a part in a show or production. I teach Youth Theater. And all the kids in my classes will be in the show. They audition for specific parts, but they're all cast. So having someone audition for the privilege of whether or not they can pay that fee seems a little ridiculous to me.

� 2) If actors are sharing the financial responsibility of putting on a show, should they not also share any prospective reward or profit? I know a small theater company back in NYC that runs that way. Several actors and crew put on shows, but what they make (after �covering expenses) it divided among them. In essense, paying to put on the show makes you a producer, doesn't it?

that's my problem. those kids (and those adults who are in the show) are going to be putting a lot of time and money into this and not recieve any type of compensation besides a pat on the back. They are in essance producers, but they are working to keep someone else's business afloat.

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Reply #17 - May 26^th, 2009 at 10:24am

QueenMorgaus Offline
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I once "paid to be in a show". They offered me the role of Annie Sullivan in the Miracle Worker, and the opportunity to be that character and the boost to my resume was worth their $40 costume fee to me. I didn't regret it, but I probably wouldn't do it again. But $200... that's outrageous.

"I don't need to compromise my principles, because they don't have the slightest bearing on what happens to me anyway." - Calvin and Hobbes

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Reply #18 - May 26^th, 2009 at 11:07am

spiker Offline
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One of the things that bothers me about the particular situation that caused this thread to arise is that the actors are expected to pay for the privilege of being part of the production...and then that money is used to pay other people, choreographer and crew are specifically mentioned. It smacks of a particular sense of theatre hierarchy that makes me...itch.

"...there are more people alive now than have died in all of human history. �In other words, if everyone wanted to play Hamlet at once, they couldn't, because there aren't enough skulls!"

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Reply #19 - May 26^th, 2009 at 12:23pm

DannyOKeefe Offline
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spiker wrote on May 26^th, 2009 at 11:07am:

It smacks of a particular sense of theatre hierarchy that makes me...itch.

There might be a cream for that. Wink

"Due to the shape of the North American elk's esophagus, even if it could speak, it could not pronounce the word lasagna." &&&& �()_() &&(='.'=)

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