Wednesday 11 July 2012

How much?

Every once in a while I am astonished that more people don't know what it costs to put on a show.  Not just a show, but a fringe show because there is a price cap and the ticket amount does not reflect expenses.  Personally, I don't keep it a secret, and I don't think it should be.
So here is a breakdown of Lulu so far: ( $ are rounded for aesthetic purposes )

Fringe BYOV cost : $675
Venue rental: $1000
Rehearsal space: $475
Copyrights: $600
Actor Equity insurance (if you use professional actors in the fringe you have to pay insurance, in case we get hurt)  : $290
Costumes: $100 (so far, we've done alot of borrowing, but some things had to be built and bought)
Set: $45 (so far.  we've got a beautiful venue and did some borrowing so didn't need to purchase much for sets)
Posters and Handbills: $100 (I haven't printed the posters yet so am just going to round out the number to $50, it might be more.   800 handbills cost me $50)

Lighting , sound, and chairs are all borrowed so we dodged a bullet there too!

Running Total = $3285

Please note this does not include any paycheques for the actors, director or stage manager :-(

This is where the audience comes in!

Let's average the ticket price at $9 (regular 10, 8 matinee and 2 for 10 on opening)

If 35 people come for every show I will have covered our costs.  If more people come after that, I'll be able to pay everyone for their excellent work.

Can we do it?

Smoky The Fringe Dancing Bear says:

Only YOU can prevent unpaid Theatre artists!




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