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1 | Theatrical Designer Pay Resource | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2 | This document is intended to be used as a reference resource and negotiation tool for American theatrical designers. | 364 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3 | Who can submit? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4 | All design aspects are welcome to submit - including Costume, Scenic, Lighting, Sound, Composers, Fight/Intimacy, Choreographers, Wigs, Puppetry, Dramaturgs, and any other design aspects. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5 | Assistant Designers are welcome to submit as well as long as they were paid by the theater company (not paid by the designer.) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
6 | Some notes: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
7 | I have not personally verified all of the information posted. | Labor Support includes: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
8 | In order to keep the information more anonymous, I have grouped productions within two-year sections and the submission form is anonymous. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
9 | Regional Tabs are at the bottom of the document to make it easier to find the company you are looking for. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
10 | Please contact me with questions: elsa@elsahiltner.com | Assistants | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
11 | Costume Director | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
12 | Technical Director | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
13 | To contribute to the list: | Stitchers/Drapers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
14 | Please fill out this anonymous google form to contribute to the list: https://goo.gl/forms/alNrFoNbmfhtHv0x2 | Sound Technician | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
15 | You may also email me your contributing information if you prefer: elsa@elsahiltner.com | Master Electrician | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
16 | I will add the information to the document as soon as I am able. | Dyers/Distressers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
17 | Production Managers, Artistic Directors, Executive Directors, etc are welcome to submit designer pay and labor support information for their theater companies as well. | Carpenters | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
18 | Thank you for sharing your information! | Painters | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
19 | Etc. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
20 | Support This Work: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
21 | https://www.patreon.com/ElsaHiltner | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
22 | Stay updated. Join the mailing list: http://eepurl.com/hnQES1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
23 | How to gauge labor support: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
24 | About Me: | Full Labor Support means the design was realized by contractors/staff hired by the theater company and paid from a labor budget/theater company. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
25 | I am a costume designer and a writer and organizer on labor and pay equity in theatre based in Chicago. | Some Labor Support means the designer was required to do some of the labor to realize the production and was not separately compensated. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
26 | Read some of my work on HowlRound, including Inequity by Design and A Call for Equal Support in Theatrical Design. | 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. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
27 | Contact me at elsa@elsahiltner.com. | 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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29 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
30 | Theater Name | Operating Budget | Top Executive Pay | Opening Year Range | Design Aspect | Title | Designer Fee | Labor Support? | Mileage reimbursment? | Program/Stage Space | Gender Identity (optional) | Racial Identity (optional) | Notes from the Designer | |||||||||||||||||
31 | 16th Street Theater | NA | NA | 2019-2020 | Lighting | Lighting Designer | $750.00 | None | No | Male | White | |||||||||||||||||||
32 | 16th Street Theatre | $223,974 | $32,500 | 2017-2018 | Properties | Props | $400.00 | Full | No | Female | White | I was offered $600 for the full design, but was unavailable for tech, so the fee was split between an assistant and me. | ||||||||||||||||||
33 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
34 | About Face Theatre | $673,130 | NA | 2017-2018 | Costumes | Costume Designer | $1,000.00 | None | No | Male | White | |||||||||||||||||||
35 | About Face Theatre | $673,130 | NA | 2017-2018 | Lighting | Lighting Designer | $1,000.00 | Full | No | Male | White | |||||||||||||||||||
36 | About Face Theatre | $673,130 | NA | 2017-2018 | Costumes | Costume Designer | $1,000.00 | None | No | Male | White | |||||||||||||||||||
37 | About Face Theatre | $673,130 | NA | 2017-2018 | Properties | Properties Designer | $1,000.00 | None | No | Female | White | |||||||||||||||||||
38 | About Face Theatre | $690,568 | NA | 2015-2016 | Costumes | Costume Designer | $1,000.00 | None | No | Male | White | |||||||||||||||||||
39 | About Face Theatre | $690,568 | NA | 2015-2016 | Video/Projections | Projections Designer | $500.00 | None | No | Male | White | $500 materials budget $18/hr for maintenance after opening night | ||||||||||||||||||
40 | About Face (Youth Ensemble) | $690,568 | NA | 2015-2016 | Lighting | Lighting Designer | $500.00 | Some | No | Youth Ensemble | Female | White | ||||||||||||||||||
41 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
42 | Adventure Stage Chicago | Could not find | Could not find | 2019-2020 | Lighting | Lighting Designer | $750.00 | Full | No | Male | White | |||||||||||||||||||
43 | Adventure Stage Chicago | 2019-2020 | Lighting | Lighting Designer | $1,000.00 | Full | No | Male | African American | |||||||||||||||||||||
44 | Adventure Stage Chicago | 2017-2018 | Lighting | Lighting Designer | $1,200.00 | Some | No | Male | White | |||||||||||||||||||||
45 | Adventure Stage Chicago | 2017-2018 | Lighting | Lighting Designer | $1,000.00 | Some | No | Male | White | |||||||||||||||||||||
46 | Adventure Stage Chicago | 2017-2018 | Lighting | Lighting Designer | $1,000.00 | Full | No | Male | White | |||||||||||||||||||||
47 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
48 | Actors Gymnasium | NA | NA | 2019-2020 | Costumes | Costume Designer | $500.00 | None | No | Female | White | |||||||||||||||||||
49 | Actors Gymnasium | $1,003,958 | $73,902 | 2017-2018 | Costumes | Costume Designer | $500.00 | None | No | Female | ||||||||||||||||||||
50 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
51 | Akvavit Theatre | Under $50,000 | NA | 2017-2018 | Lighting | Lighting Designer | $400.00 | Some | No | Male | White | |||||||||||||||||||
52 | Akvavit Theatre | Under $50,000 | NA | 2017-2018 | Lighting | Lighting Designer | $400.00 | Some | No | Male | White | |||||||||||||||||||
53 | Akvavit Theatre | Under $50,000 | NA | 2017-2018 | Lighting | Lighting Designer | $500.00 | Some | No | Male | White | |||||||||||||||||||
54 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
55 | Albany Park Theater Project | $1,479,049 | $119,300 | 2017-2018 | Sound | Assistant Sound Designer | $750.00 | Some | No | Trans | Latinx/Hispanic | Provided meals and food, excellent to work for | ||||||||||||||||||
56 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
57 | American Blues Theater | $1,077,769 | $77,235 | 2017-2018 | Costumes | Costume Designer | $1,600.00 | None | No | Male | White | Recurring holiday show. Fee increased by 4x this year. | ||||||||||||||||||
58 | American Blues Theater | $1,077,769 | $77,235 | 2017-2018 | Lighting | Lighting Designer | $1,600.00 | Full | No | Male | African American | |||||||||||||||||||
59 | American Blues Theater | $795,303 | NA | 2015-2016 | Sound | Sound Designer | $1,000.00 | None | No | Male | White | |||||||||||||||||||
60 | American Blues Theater | $795,303 | NA | 2015-2016 | Costumes | Costume Designer | $400.00 | None | No | Male | Recurring holiday show. 5 new costumes introduced for new actors | |||||||||||||||||||
61 | American Blues Theater | 2013-2014 | Costumes | Costume Designer | $800.00 | None | No | Female | White | |||||||||||||||||||||
62 | American Blues Theater | 2011-2012 | Costumes | Costume Designer | $375.00 | None | No | split contract and $$ with another designer, cast of 35. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
63 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
64 | American Theater Company | $685,376 | NA | 2017-2018 | Sound | Sound Designer | $1,200.00 | Full | No | Male | White | |||||||||||||||||||
65 | American Theater Company | NA | NA | 2011-2012 | Costumes | Costume Designer | $550.00 | None | No | Female | White | |||||||||||||||||||
66 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
67 | A Red Orchid | $508,096 | $42,000 | 2017-2018 | Sound | Sound Designer | $900.00 | Some | No | Male | White | |||||||||||||||||||
68 | A Red Orchid Theatre | $508,096 | $42,000 | 2017-2018 | Properties | Properties Designer | $900.00 | None | No | Female | White | |||||||||||||||||||
69 | A Red Orchid Theatre | $508,096 | $42,000 | 2017-2018 | Properties | Properties Designer | $700.00 | None | No | Female | White | |||||||||||||||||||
70 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
71 | Aurora University | NA | NA | 2017-2018 | Lighting | Lighting Designer | $1,400.00 | Some | No | Male | White | |||||||||||||||||||
72 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
73 | Babes With Blades | NA | 0 | 2019-2020 | Scenic | Scenic Designer | $200.00 | Some | No | Female | White | |||||||||||||||||||
74 | Babes With Blades | 2015-2016 | Lighting | Lighting Designer | $200.00 | Some | No | Male | White | |||||||||||||||||||||
75 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
76 | Black Ensemble | FY18: $2,900,906 | FY18: $103,847 | 2019-2020 | Scenic | Scenic Designer | $2,500.00 | Full | No | Male | White | Pay schedule was inconsistent and unclear | ||||||||||||||||||
77 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
78 | BoHo Theatre | FY18: $167,516 | 0 | 2019-2020 | Scenic | Set Designer | $530.00 | Some | No | Female | White | A TD and painter was provided but I ended up painting most of the show and assisting the build because it was unorganized. | ||||||||||||||||||
79 | BoHo Theatre | FY18: $167,516 | 0 | 2019-2020 | Scenic | Scenic Designer | $530.00 | Some | No | Male | White | They did hire scenic painters at my request. There were issues finding a TD for months. I did have to step in and work on masking and notes after the bulk of the construction was completed. | ||||||||||||||||||
80 | BoHo Theatre | FY18: $167,516 | 0 | 2019-2020 | Costumes | Costume Designer | $530.00 | None | No | Male | White | |||||||||||||||||||
81 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
82 | Bring Your Own Theatre (BYOT) | Could not find | Could not find | 2017-2018 | Scenic | Scenic Designer | $35.00 | No | No | Nonbinary, assumed Male by company members | White | Purchased materials out of pocket and reimbursed | ||||||||||||||||||
83 | Bring Your Own Theatre (BYOT) | 2017-2018 | Lighting | Lighting Designer | $30.00 | No | No | Female | White | |||||||||||||||||||||
84 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
85 | Broken Nose Theatre | FY18: $61,929 | 0 | 2019-2020 | Lighting | Lighting Designer | $400.00 | Full | No | Trans | White, Latinx/Hispanic | |||||||||||||||||||
86 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
87 | Chicago Childrens Theatre | 2023-2024 | Sound | Sound Designer | $3,570.00 | Full | No | Male | White, Asian-American | |||||||||||||||||||||
88 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
89 | Chicago Fringe Opera | under $50,000 | NA | 2015-2016 | Sound | Sound Designer | $600.00 | None | No | Male | White | |||||||||||||||||||
90 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
91 | Chicago Shakespeare Theater | $17,654,628 | $407,372 | 2017-2018 | Scenic | Scenic Designer | $4,000.00 | Full | No | Female | White | |||||||||||||||||||
92 | Chicago Shakespeare Theater | $17,654,628 | $407,372 | 2017-2018 | Lighting | Assistant Lighting Designer | $2,750.00 | Full | No | Male | White | |||||||||||||||||||
93 | Chicago Shakespeare Theater | $17,654,628 | $407,372 | 2017-2018 | Lighting | Assistant Lighting Designer | $2,750.00 | Full | No | Male | White | |||||||||||||||||||
94 | Chicago Shakespeare (in the Parks) | $17,654,628 | $407,372 | 2017-2018 | Scenic | Scenic Designer | $1,400.00 | Full | No | Shakespeare in the Parks | Female | White | Tour of previous design. Offered $600, used union contract language to negotiate for more. | |||||||||||||||||
95 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
96 | Chicago Tap Theatre | FY15: $134,391 | FY15: $21,525 | 2019-2020 | Lighting | Lighting Designer | $750.00 | Full | No | Male | White | |||||||||||||||||||
97 | Chicago Tap Theatre | FY15: $134,391 | FY15: $21,525 | 2019-2020 | Scenic & Properties | Set/Props Designer | $450.00 | None | No | Male | White | Labor support provided for load in, otherwise the full set was constructed off site and the designer was responsible. | ||||||||||||||||||
98 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
99 | Chicago Theatre Workshop | $51,787 | 0 | 2015-2016 | Video/Projection | Projection Design | $500.00 | None | No | Male | White | |||||||||||||||||||
100 |