I just opened my own community theatre company and am wondering what to do about the staff I am going to need on the first show (Summer '04 (Gypsy)). I will need a Director, Music Director, Stage Manager, Choreographer. Do most of these positions get paid in community theatres, I have only worked in/with semi-pro, so I don't really have any background. Also, if they do get paid how much do they make? Thank you very much

Our theater does not pay anyone involved with a production. Period. We do not do musicals so I have not had to cross that bridge.

The other theater in town pays directors $1,000 to $2,000. They also pay the musical director - last I heard was $1,000. Musicians also get paid but I am not sure how much - I think it was around $400. I recently heard that they were going to pay one actor ($1,000 or more!!) in an upcoming show. It will be interesting how many people want to be in the cast and not get paid.

The problem with paying people is that it starts to put relative values on the worth of people involved with the production. Is the Set Designer more valuable than the Choreographer? It also puts people in competition with each other: If person "X" got $500 for the light design in the last production why should you do it for $400? Maybe if "X" got $500, you should get $1,000. Right?

We have all the volunteers we can use for our productions. We have waiting lists of people who want to do tech. Everyone knows that no one gets paid so they do not mind not getting paid. That is what volunteering is all about. That is what Community Theater is all about.

Paid/unpaid...what can you afford? Do you have qualified people who want to donatate thier time and energy to a production because of a love of theatre and a need to give back to thier community? Or do you have people with maybe not quite so much love or community spirit, or maybe who just cant devote the time without compensation.
Our theatre has been able to pay a small stipend at times, depending on grants and our financial situation. The stipend is not intended to reimburse anyone for the actual time that goes into a production, its just a way of thanking those who have donated so much time and energy. If your theatre has the money to pay a real wage to its staff then by all means do so, but dont assume that you must pay in order to get quality tech and directing. I will admit that we did lose one director, she did not feel that she could invest the time without being remimbursed at a regular wage. We also have gained more status and support from the community since everyone knows that this is a nonprofit volunteer driven effort.

I have never agreed to direct a production based on a salary. I am happy to take any compensation that is sent my way but money is not the reason I am involved. A good point was made in a previous reply...who gets paid and who doesnt? A stage managers job is hell..should they get paid? What about your techies, your costumers, your ushers...the list could be endless. From my perspective a sincere public acknowledgement of their importance and efforts, along with perhaps a card or small gift is all that is needed for anyone.

Personally, the thing that distinguishes community theatre from all other varieties is that people aren't paid. They are there because they are passionate about theatre, and want to share their passion with other people. It creates a wonderful atmosphere, and the show is its own reward. When you start paying people, it becomes work. All the community theatre shows I've been a part of, I've had to pay a membership fee to do. And everyone is there because they want to be.