Theatrical Designer Pay Resource
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Theatrical Designer Pay Resource
Labor Support includes:
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This document is intended to be used as a reference resource and negotiation tool for American theatrical designers.
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All design aspects are welcome to submit - including Costume, Scenic, Lighting, Sound, Composers, Fight/Intimacy, Choreographers, Dramaturgs, Wigs, Puppetry, and any other design aspects.
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Assistant Designers are welcome to submit as well as long as they were paid by the theater company (not paid by the designer.)
TD
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I have not personally verified all of the information posted.
Stitchers/Drapers
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In order to keep the information more anonymous, I have grouped productions within two-year sections and the submission form is anonymous.
Sound Tech
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Regional Tabs are at the bottom of the document to make it easier to find the company you are looking for.
ME
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Please contact me with questions: elsa@elsahiltner.com
Dyers/Distressers
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Carpenters
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Painters
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To contribute to the list:Etc.
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Please fill out this anonymous google form to contribute to the list: https://goo.gl/forms/alNrFoNbmfhtHv0x2
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You may also email me your contributing information if you prefer: elsa@elsahiltner.com
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I will add the information to the document as soon as I am able.
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Production Managers, Artistic Directors, and Executive Directors are welcome to submit designer pay and labor support information for their theater companies as well.
Full Labor Support means the design was realized by contractors/staff hired by the theater company and paid from a labor budget/theater company.
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Thank you for sharing your information!
Some Labor Support means the designer was required to do some of the labor to realize the production and was not separately compensated.
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NOTE 2/17/18: Thank you for all of your responses! I have a lot to enter... I'll try to keep up!
No Labor Support means the designer was required to do all of the labor to realize the production or was required to hire their own staff.
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More on some of the labor support issues is here: http://howlround.com/a-call-for-equal-support-in-theatrical-design
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...coming soon...
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Theater Name
Operating Budget
Opening Year Range
Design AspectTitle
Designer Fee
Labor Support?
Mileage reimbursment?
Gender Identity (optional)
Racial Identity (optional)
Notes from the Designer
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16th Street Theatre2017-2018PropertiesProps$400.00FullNoFemaleWhite
I was offered $600 for the full design, but was unavailable for tech, so the fee was split between an assistant and me.
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About Face Theatre2017-2018LightingLighting Designer$1,000.00FullNoMaleWhite
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About Face Theatre2017-2018CostumesCostume Designer$1,000.00NoneNoMaleWhite
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About Face Theatre2017-2018PropertiesProperties Designer$1,000.00NoneNoFemaleWhite
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About Face Theatre2015-2016CostumesCostume Designer$1,000.00NoneNoMaleWhite
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About Face Youth Ensemble2015-2016LightingLighting Designer$500.00SomeNoFemaleWhite
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Adventure Stage Chicago2017-2018LightingLighting Designer$1,200.00SomeNoMaleWhite
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Actors Gymnasium2017-2018CostumesCostume Designer$500.00NoneNoFemale
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Akvavit Theatre2017-2018LightingLighting Designer$500.00SomeNoMaleWhite
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Albany Park Theater Project2017-2018SoundAssistant Sound Designer$750.00SomeNoTransLatinx/HispanicProvided meals and food, excellent to work for
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American Blues Theater2017-2018CostumesCostume Designer$1,600.00NoneNoMaleWhiteRecurring holiday show. Fee increased by 4x this year.
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American Blues Theater2017-2018LightingLighting Designer$1,600.00FullNoMaleAfrican American
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American Blues Theater2015-2016SoundSound Designer$1,000.00NoneNoMaleWhite
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American Blues Theater2015-2016CostumesCostume Designer$400.00NoneNoMale
Recurring holiday show. 5 new costumes introduced for new actors
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American Blues Theater2013-2014CostumesCostume Designer$800.00NoneNoFemaleWhite
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American Theater Company2017-2018SoundSound Designer$1,200.00FullNoMaleWhite
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American Theater Company2011-2012CostumesCostume Designer$550.00NoneNoFemaleWhite
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A Red Orchid Theatre2017-2018PropertiesProperties Designer$900.00NoneNoFemaleWhite
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A Red Orchid Theatre2017-2018PropertiesProperties Designer$700.00NoneNoFemaleWhite
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Aurora University2017-2018LightingLighting Designer$1,400.00SomeNoMaleWhite
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Babes With Blades2015-2016LightingLighting Designer$200.00SomeNoMaleWhite
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Bring Your Own Theatre (BYOT)2017-2018ScenicScenic Designer$35.00NoNo
Nonbinary, assumed Male by company members
WhitePurchased materials out of pocket and reimbursed
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Bring Your Own Theatre (BYOT)2017-2018LightingLighting Designer$30.00NoNoFemaleWhite
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Chicago Shakespeare Theater2017-2018ScenicScenic Designer$4,000.00FullNoFemaleWhite
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Chicago Shakespeare Theater2017-2018LightingAssistant Lighting Designer$2,750.00FullNoMaleWhite
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Chicago Shakespeare Theater2017-2018LightingAssistant Lighting Designer$2,750.00FullNoMaleWhite
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Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks2017-2018ScenicScenic Designer$1,400.00FullNoFemaleWhite
Tour of previous design. Offered $600, used union contract language to negotiate for more.
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Chimera Ensemble2015-2016SoundSound Designer$500.00NoneNoNon-binary/gender fluidWhite
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Circle Theatre2017-2018CostumesCostume Designer$250.00NoneNoFemaleWhite
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Citadel Theatre2017-2018CostumesCostume Designer$400.00NoNoFemaleWhitehad to remind them to pay me
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Citadel Theatre2017-2018LightingLighting Designer$600.00NoNoFemaleWhite
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Coffee & Whiskey Productions2017-2018LightingLighting Designer$300.00NoNoFemaleWhite
This was a self produced play by a local writer and friend, who still managed to pay as much as many of the storefronts in town offer me.
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Cold Basement Dramatics2015-2016CostumesCostume Designer$400.00NoneNoFemaleWhite
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Collaboraction Theatre Company2017-2018SoundSound Designer/Original Music$750.00SomeNoMaleWhite
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Collaboraction Theatre Company2017-2018CostumesCostume Designer$500.00NoneNoFemaleWhiteDesigner was expected to do laundry during tech.
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Collaboraction Theatre Company2017-2018CostumesCostume Designer$750.00NoneNoFemaleWhite
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Collaboraction Theatre Company2015-2016CostumesCostume Designer$750.00NoneNoFemaleWhite
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Collaboraction Theatre Company2015-2016CostumesCostume Designer$400.00NoneNoFemaleWhite
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Collaboraction Theatre Company2015-2016CostumesCostume Designer$150.00NoneNoFemaleWhiteRemount
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Collaboraction Theatre Company2015-2016CostumesCostume Designer$100.00NoneNoFemaleWhiteRemount
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Collaboraction Theatre Company2013-2014CostumesCostume Designer$500.00NoneNoFemaleWhite
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Collaboraction Theatre Company2013-2014CostumesCostume Designer$300.00NoneNoFemaleWhite
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Collaboraction Theatre Company2013-2014CostumesCostume Designer$300.00NoneNoFemaleWhite
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Commission Theatre2017-2018LightingLighting Designer$100.00NoNo
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Cor Theatre2015-2016DramaturgyDramaturg$0.00NoneNoNon-binary/gender fluidWhite
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Court Theatre2017-2018LightingAssistant Lighting Designer$900.00FullNoFemaleWhite
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Court Theatre2017-2018LightingAssistant Lighting Designer$900.00FullNoFemaleWhite
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Court Theatre2017-2018ScenicScenic Designer$4,000.00FullNoFemaleWhite
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Court Theatre2017-2018ScenicScenic Designer$3,700.00FullNoFemaleWhite
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Court Theatre2015-2016ScenicScenic Designer$3,600.00FullNoFemaleWhite
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Definition Theatre Company2015-2016LightingLighting Designer$500.00FullNoTransWhite
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Definition Theatre Company2017-2018LightingLighting Designer$500.00FullNoTransWhite
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DePaul University2017-2018ScenicScenic Designer$4,466.00FullNoFemaleWhite
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Drury Lane Theatre2017-2018Properties & ScenicScenic Designer/Props Designer$2,000.00FullNoMaleWhiteTYA Show
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