Subject: RE: PUPT: Money
Date: Sat, 31 Aug 2002 11:25:12 -0400


Trish & All:

I just have to put in my two cents now.  You're the second one to say you
charge only $50 for a workshop.  That sounds like a real bargain to me!  How
did you arrive at that amount?  I rarely do puppetry outside my library, but
I do tell stories "on the side" and have done a few workshops.  I get $100
for either, and a friend of mine gets more than that for workshops ($125, if
I recall correctly).

Brid
 

-----Original Message-----
From: PPlace8587-AT-aol.com
To: puptcrit-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu
Sent: 8/30/02 6:20 PM
Subject: PUPT: Money

I rarely have time to reply and post my 3 coppers worth, but these are
my fees.  This is always an interesting subject and every performing
artist I know, whether they're puppeteers, mimes, storytellers, etc.,
have the same dilema.

I'm a solo puppeteer and my fees haven't changed too much over the
years.  I'm also in Nebraska and it's hard to gauge the different
organizations here since there's never too much happening in the arts
with the exception of the Omaha Playhouse and various smaller theatre
companies.  When I'm performing a puppet show - mine are about 1/2 hour
long - I charge $125.00.  That's really about 2 hours work with setup
and tear down included.  If I have to travel outside of Omaha, I tack on
mileage.  If an organization wants more than 1 performance, I simply
multiply the $125 x however many shows.  I also do strolling booth
performances and that I charge $100/hour for.  Less setup and no music,
lights, etc. so it's a lower tech thing.  Workshops are about $50/hour.
So far this pricing seems to be in par with other solo performers in the
area.  Some do charge less/some a bit more.  I guess it all boils down
to your community and what people are used to paying for performers.  I
remember the days working for Bil Baird at the Williamsburg, VA Busch
Gardens.  I think I made about $250/week there.  10 shows a day, 5 days
a week during the full season!  But it built character!  And boy, was
Bil a CHARACTER!!!!  Learned a lot, had a bunch of fun.  Great company
though.  So sometimes money, or a little money, with just the experience
is well worth it.

I'm also on the Nebraska Arts Council's Artist in Schools/Communities
program and for a 5 day residency, 4 hours a day, we get $750 unless
we're traveling outstate, then there's a $250 per diem added to cover
hotel expenses, etc.  This is mostly doing puppetry workshops in the
classrooms, not performances.  Anyhoo, that's it from Omaha!!!!  Puppet
on folks!!!!

Trish Place


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