I think it really depends on the size of the community and the size of the theatre company.  I've seen theatres where it's basically all volunteer and others that pay out the big bucks. 

We're in a very small community and got off to a bad start paying in excess of $1000 for our very first director.  We did Music Man.  That won't happen again. 

In a larger city it might take that and more to get a director ... I don't know.  I'm just thinking that everything is going to be relative when it comes to costs.

I am in the Northeast too. The stipends you mentined are in line with what we pay. We are very rural and the stipend covers basic expenses. We found that quality directors, choreographers etc. can't work for us unless they can at least break even. Musicians in this area always paid.

L.

There were groups who paid varying amounts to Directors, Choreographers & Musical Directors per production, however these are in the minority these days, mainly because of stricter rules under the State Association Incorporation Act. Not that this would mean anything to you or your group.

Also with Insurance compensation coverage & taxation. There are a lot of problems that can & do occur, with them having to be a member for insurance & other prescribed taxes, rules, policy & conditions.

If there are fees paid, these are as a predetermined allowance/perdiums, depending upon out of pocket expenses.

I?m glad to say, while their are still those who exploit the amateurs, disguised as a not for profit most groups. There are still opportunities to be paid, for specific tutorial lectures & workshops, however they never seem to be for particular show.

We don?t have a shortage of Directors willing to do productions.

I doubt if a any actually pay anyone for directing or what ever, in a production, other than an extraordinary expense.

We recently doubled our size, about a year ago, going from 100 max to 200 max for dinner theater.  We are in a small southern town of about 10,000.  We were given an old retail building in the center of town which was in very poor condition.  Through untold nights of tearing out the stuff in the building, removing junk (10 each 10 ton dumpsters) and then going into debt for approximately $250,000, we now have a theatre that is the talk of the town.  It is made available (rental basis) for other functions, just to pay the bills.  My salary as vice president of the board/janitor/maintenance man/set builder/sound and light tech/and sometimes, actor doubled.  Two times zero is ZERO.  No one in our group is paid more than applause and thanks, and we have done a musical every year including Fiddler on the Roof, Oklahoma, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Blame it on the Movies, Pete 'n Keely. 

Love of the theatre overcomes all!

I know what small is. At my youth theater (Little Lost Arts) we only have 50 seats. Check it out at www.littlelostarts.com - littlelostarts.com .

Wishbone

I belong to five different CT's. A few pay, most don't.  Of the ones that pay the most consitant one has a pay schedule as follows:

Director (straight play) $300  (Musical) $400

Producer (straight play) $300 (Musical) $400

Music Director $400

Rehearsal Pianist $250

Choreographer $200

Orchestra Member $175

As for whether they should or not, I don't care one way or the other.  I do what I do for the fun of it. (although you won't see me NOT take the check when its offered)

Our theatre employs a staff of two, myself as full-time Artistic Director and a part-time Box Office Manager.

For musicals we hire a music director for $500 and a rehearsal/show accompanist for $300.

I direct all our productions (5 mainstage and a few smaller productions throughout the year), so that's part of my overall salary, which is around $30,000 a year.  I realize that we're an exception having a permanent staff, especially for our size of community -- 13,000.  Theatre capacity is 200 which is just right for our size of town and the number of performances we do.

Our box office manager is paid $7.50 an hour

I am on the board (and sometimes work for) a non-profit children's theatre.

The actors pay to be in the shows.  It is a workshop style and they are young/new actors learning the trade.

We pay our directors $3000 - $5000 depending on the size of the show.  But it should be noted that we only hire 'professional' directors - those with vast experience and usually an education in theatre (degree or diploma from theatre school or equivalant)

We also pay our choreographer and music directors (About $1000 each or more depending on how much they are expected to do) Oh and our SM too

We also have a full time producer at $500 a month.

Everything else is done by students from the local schools and parents.

HTH --