Current fee information will be posted when available.

Sliding scale is available. No one is turned away because of the fee.

As always, ask if you have any questions!- Rosie

Money Talk

There are many factors that we have to consider when we set a budget for a show. With each show our goal is to break even for that show. We also believe that no one should be turned away because they don't have the funds to participate. We offer a sliding scale for anyone who may need one. Any requests to use the sliding scale are kept in strict confidence and, currently, the only person who handles any records in reference to finances is Rosie. If you need to utilize our sliding scale, please speak with Rosie directly.

Sliding scale

From the beginning, I wanted to make this experience not only a quality one, but an affordable one. In consultation with families, I decided to offer a sliding scale. But when I set that, I didn't really know what that meant and I figured I would figure it out as I went. I wanted it to be for more than those with a financial need, I was thinking that families could also use it to politely tell me my fees were too high. I knew that each family had different needs in this area, and I never really want to get into each families needs- It isn't any of my business, and I want to respect that line of privacy. Since then, I have found that families approach my sliding scale in 2 different ways.

The first type is they offer me a number. I assume, they look at their resources and obligations and decide, this is what I can afford- and they offer it. I have always accepted that number. I find this method super easy.

The second type is they ask me what the sliding scale is looking for a number to see if it fits. This one is harder for me because I don't want to price anyone out, on the other hand, I can use the funds. That kind of balancing is super hard for me.

When I set a fee, I always wonder if it is affordable. I look at other groups around me, I compare what I know about their structure to what I have and the fee differences that can create. (I.e. Do they get free space? I have to pay for mine. Do they get funding out of the Legacy funds? I don't. Do they have other resources that I don't? I'm out on my own for the most part- I have a few friends I can call on, but as for a working relationship between theaters, I don't have much to offer right now besides the building of good will.)

I always have to start somewhere. My first step is to estimate what my costs will be. Scripts and Royalties, Staffing costs, space rental and sets, props, and production needs such as posters and programs. These 4 are my biggest costs. The first 3 are my biggest and my fixed ones. I then take that number and divide it by how many I expect to participate, and then I round it off to a reasonable spot (123.77 is such an odd number to ask for). It isn't a matter of valuing what I am offering in as much as finding a way to break even. I don't count ticket sales, and I don't take a fee myself. Whatever amount I don't bring in by the end of the production, I pay for myself. Eventually, I would like to get to the point where I am just volunteering my time and not my own finances, but that will take time to build. For those of who you are numbers people, I have a little chart below that put some numbers to what I'm doing.

Typically, in the past when I have worked with a family on a sliding scale, what we have come to is either half to 3/4 of the set fee. I can handle that. I know when a family approaches me about money, it isn't done lightly or without prior thought. I trust you to decide what is best for your families.

So, may I ask, if you would like to use our sliding scale, think about what you can afford and then look at the value that you feel the program is offering your family? If the numbers seem to match up, I think we are a go.

Price comparison:

Looking at some offerings around the area, I want to share with you some average costs as I come across them.

• Bluewater Theatre- Wayzata: For their production of Seussical Jr!, their fee was $325. This is a theatre that owns its own space. I do not know if they have any other sources of funding. It's a great theatre- if you have the chance to do a show there, you should.

• Orono Community Ed: They partner with other organizations to offer theatre offerings. Participation fees range from 0.00- $100.00. They have access to a full time staff with Orono Community Ed, plus many grant opportunities and free space rental. Tickets for events can range from $0 for Prairie Fire to $85 for a Stages Theatre production.

• Stages Theatre- Hopkins: They offer many opportunities for participation from classes and workshops in a conservatory like system and prices range quite a bit for these opportunities. Last I heard, there are no fees for participation, but you have to buy tickets for each performance you go to watch. Ticket prices range from $14-$21. They own their own space, and have a full time staff along with many grants and other sources of funding. Another great theatre to work with, if you get the chance.

If you have more information, please feel free to let me know so that I can post it here and take it into consideration in the future.

Our first goal, financially, is to break even. Because we look at breaking even, versus taking a chance and "nickel and dime-ing" our funding, we offer two free tickets per registration along with low priced early bird tickets. We aim to be straight forward and transparent in all the aspects that we can be. We believe that is simpler and more convenient for everyone involved.

Depending on the show and cast size, costs to produce it can range from $2000-$7000 quite easily. For each show, we look at the script and what it needs to figure out what we think our costs will be, any income or funding that we have (including in-kind sources), and also, how many students we think will join us, along with guesses as to if any will need to utilize our sliding scale. Getting these predictions accurate is vital to breaking even.

After casting we look again at our budget and adjust it accordingly, but we don't change our fees. What we tell you at auditions, is what we will ask of you. We do our best to help keep costs low through a couple of efforts. We ask that each family contribute a certain number of hours of volunteering. 6-10 hours in general, although certain shows or casts can change the needs. This allows us to hire less people and still make sure that there are plenty of adults available to keep everyone safe.

Each show is unique and has different funding needs. As we are not a 501c3, we are, in some ways, limited in the ability to ask for money or our chances to get certain funding sources. In the future I will be looking for some to help defray costs and look forward to applying for grants. Please see our fundraising page to see if anything matches your needs.

If you have any questions, would like show specific details, or have ideas or want to help us in any process related to our theatre- please let Rosie know.