We are very excited and look forward to working with you as we grow and thrive toward a BOUNTIFUL FUTURE!
Investing in Sound Theatre’s Future – Staff and Wages
We are thrilled to share with you the next step in our ongoing process to professionalize the operations of Sound Theatre Company. We have been moving towards this for the previous three years and this will continue as we grow responsibly, making investments towards sustainability and to fully support a mission that seeks to “empower the artists.” Therefore, the term “professionalize” will be used a lot by us going forward. Hopefully, we can explain what we mean by this term.
What does it mean to “professionalize”?
In this case, we are primarily describing two things:
1) A path from a volunteer-run organization toward securing a professional paid staff for all operations.
2) A path to a fair wage for artists who create theatre. This may involve the capacity to hire union artists or compensate all artists hourly for their work.
Is this a sudden change?
No, we have been in the process of this for three years and are creating a plan for the next three years and beyond. It is an on-going way we seek to fulfill our mission.
How did this professionalization start?
We implemented three important steps:
- Transitioning the board from a “working board” which is responsible for operations, to a traditional board that provides oversight, fundraising and advocacy: a healthy separation between board and staff responsibilities.
- We moved in to a wonderful office space at Jack Straw Cultural Center in July 2018. This has provided a central place of operations, production management and record keeping.
- In 2019 We implemented hourly minimum wage for 3 part-time employees: Production Manager, House Manager and Box Office Manager. We are using a payroll service to assist us in the necessary compliance, and we continue to add full and part-time employees as we increase capacity and resources.
Why the sudden need for funds?
This hasn’t been sudden, and we have been gradually increasing our annual budgets since we began in 2006. In 2020 we plan to invest in hiring a part-time Business Manager and provide a salary for the Producing Artistic Director, which will allow artistic staff to redirect their time toward active engagement with our artist and audience communities. Perhaps this could become a road map for other emerging theatre companies, as well.
How does Radical Hospitality ticket pricing support your budget goals?
Radical Hospitality ticketing has increased the average price of every ticket purchased, and brought in hundreds of new audience members. Ticket prices have never been the main source of income for any theatre company that seeks to challenge audiences. We have been building a robust development strategy and we feel confident we are ready to take these next steps.
Does Sound Theatre hold debt?
We have never accrued a debt over 14 years of operation. We do, however, have a deficit in our investment in labor, which doesn’t currently show up in the P&L statements and 990 forms. In transitioning from a volunteer organization, we are addressing our need to support the individuals working to bring our plays to production:
Artist pay is a social justice issue.
Will your productions change?
They will only get better! With the addition of these paid positions, we will have more time to directly serve the communities for whom we create theatre. This year we are adding a few Actors’ Equity professional actor contracts. We will continue to provide mentorship and professional development for the next generation of theatrical leaders, who bring lived experience with oppression to build a just vision for the future.
How are you currently doing all of this?
We have now added paid hourly and salaried employees to our previous portfolio of support positions, including:
- Volunteers
- Pro-Bono Professional volunteers with stipend (most of our artists)
- Administrative Internship positions with monthly stipends, minimal hourly expectations and professional development opportunities
- Professional Consultants and Independent Contractors at professional hourly rates (Development, Accounting, Marketing, EDI, Graphic Arts, etc.)
If you have other questions about this process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.