Well, I'm here because stipends have been an issue during our past two productions. 

Our community theatre group has been around for eleven years and the current board of directors has been in place for two years. Previously, the producer and director/choreographer were board members and were stipend about $500 each. We also stipend the music director/rehearsal pianist $500-800 and paid the pit based on the number of performances (usually $50/show), as well as the sound/light crew, set builder and graphics person for posters, programs, etc. (all professionals outside of theatre).

Three years ago the producer and director left to pursue other activities. None of us had the experience to direct the types of shows we were looking at doing, so we hired a director and choreographer the following year and two board members acted as producer. We made a modest amount on that show. Yes, we are non-profit but if we cannot sustain our operation we will cease to exist. Like any other company, our theatre company must do what is in it's best interest in order to survive.

Two years ago we stipend a non-board member producer and outside director, music director and choreographer. We had the most profitable show ever for the theatre group. Even to the point where we felt comfortable that we could make some house improvements, take a loss on this year's production and still not worry about it. We had plans to do a second show this year but our elderly building had some code issues that needed to be addressed first.

We just closed this year's musical last night and I think we probably lost a little on the budget...but we paid stipends to the producer, director, choreographer, music director, set builder, marketing person, sound & light...and we gave the choreographer, two costumers and the set dresser a monetary bonus/reward for exceeding our expectations. We also helped upgrade our building and laid plans for additional improvements.

Each of the stipends went to people who are professionals and get paid elsewhere to do what they did for us. The adult, teen and children actors that participated and the non-professional volunteers all had a tremendous experience.

Yes, we are concerned about setting precedents, so we are reviewing our stipend policies. We do one show a year right now. I would like to do at least one more and allow the second to be a internally produced, directed and low- or non-stipend show that cultivates talent within our core group.

Will we still stipend for our big budget annual musical (usually $15- to 20-grand)? For as long as it works and still provides the community with exactly what they need, expect and deserve... an entertaining, memorable, educational and culturally stimulating experience.

I came to this discussion because I've heard that even with the increases we've made in stipends, we are still behind the other theatre groups in the area in this regard. I understand the principle of non-paid, volunteer theatre. I believe it still can exist in our geographic area and we intend to pursue it. But we also see that hired professionals deliver the results that can fuel other endeavors.