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JAEIII Veteran user 310 Posts |
I'll be hiring for some dancers as well as back stage workers for a large touring illusion show, but I have no clue what they should be paid? Any suggestions about the average pay for these types of jobs is really appreciated.
Believe In Magic....I do!
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afun14u Loyal user Tennessee 249 Posts |
JAEIII,
This depends on what you want to pay them...and what they expect to be paid. When I pay my assistants, it depends on what I make on a show. I pay them either a percentage or a set fee. As a rule, it's between $75 to $250.00 per show. Then, if the assistant(s) do other activities during the gig, (concessions, load in and out, etc.) I may pay them a bit more. Again, this all depends on what I book and what I am charging. Also, I have three assistants that I am currently working with. If I am doing a show that requires all three, their pay will reflect this also. My suggestion would be to ask the girl/boy assistant what they expect to be paid per show. Good luck, let me know how it goes and where you'll be performing. I would love to see your show. Robert Jones
Empowering Kingdom Growth through Evangelistic Entertainment!
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JAEIII Veteran user 310 Posts |
I appreciate your response. That helps me a lot. I do have another question though, when you pay someone (whether it be dancer or backstage assistant), does the $75.00 - $250.00 payment include all rehearsals, or should you pay them extra for that? Perhaps an hourly figure during rehearsals and the set figure for the show?
Also, this would be a touring show, which will be approximately 3 to 4 shows per week on the road. Should this effect the amounts you gave me (whether it be more or less)? Any help is again appreciated!
Believe In Magic....I do!
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tpdmagic Elite user 459 Posts |
I have worked on the road, and I have worked for a very large illusion show that has its own theater. The pay for the road was different, but then again so was what I did. On the road, expect to pay them a salary between $400 to $800 depending on their jobs. Usually the on stage assistants are making the higher end, or if you have a break act. Also expect to pay the hotels, a per diem for food, usually around $125 a week or so. If you want more details, pm me..By the way make sure you have contracts for them. This will protect them as well as protect you.
tpdmagic... |
John Bundy Regular user USA 193 Posts |
While we are on this subject, don't forget about federal and state payroll taxes and workmans comp.
These are an important part of your payroll budget. |
hugmagic Inner circle 7655 Posts |
If you hire them as outside contractors, they can worry about all the tax stuff and such. But John is right, check with an accountant.
Most dancers only want to parade on stage and leave the minute the curtain goes down. Heck, some won't even hang up their costumes. If you are touring an illusion show and you want to make it work, you must have assistants that treat the show as something important. If they don't pack away some small props and costumes and generally help out, you will never get out of the theater. I worked backstage on a lot of shows and believe me not even the best of the best can do it all by themselves. I would write out a job description. Maybe this girl unscrews the bolts on this illusion to have it ready to pack. This one packs the costumes or small hand props. It could save you a lot of grief on the road.
Richard E. Hughes, Hughes Magic Inc., 352 N. Prospect St., Ravenna, OH 44266 (330)296-4023
www.hughesmagic.com email-hugmagic@raex.com Write direct as I will be turning off my PM's. |
afun14u Loyal user Tennessee 249 Posts |
JAEIII,
As a rule, yes! It does include rehearsal and practices. Unless we are getting ready for a large tour or a show that will require extra time to get ready for then I will pay the assistant something for her time and gas to come to my rehearsal studio. Also it will depend on how long we practice. Hope this will help some. Robert Jones PS. Mr. Hughes is right! Make sure your assistants know that they are "Contracted Help" This is a big help at the end of the year.
Empowering Kingdom Growth through Evangelistic Entertainment!
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Dave V Inner circle Las Vegas, NV 4824 Posts |
There are pretty tough IRS rules on what constitutes "Independent Contractor" vs. "Employee"
My gut feeling is that if audited, the IRS would not consider them contractors as they are usually required to attend meetings, work at appointed times, etc. An Independent Contractor has to meet ten basic rules set forth by the IRS. A few of them say that contractors are usually paid a set fee to provide a "product" or "service" and is wholly responsible for when and how it gets done. You cannot tell them how to do their job, or require them to report to work to do it. You cannot set their work schedule. They must truly be "independent" in the eyes of the IRS. Breaking even one of the ten IRS rules officially makes them an "employee." If done right, it shouldn't cost you much more than a bit of accounting time. They get paid the same, but you withhold some of their earnings and submit it to the IRS for them according to a set table. I know a lot of these rules aren't followed, but I'm just saying be careful. Depending on how big you are, it may not be worth the risk.
No trees were killed in the making of this message, but a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.
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Big Daddy Cool Inner circle 1604 Posts |
Between $150 - $300 per week, rehearsal period is half rate. In Vegas expect to start at $600 per week. New York, (when I was on Broadway 10 years ago) minimum pay is $900 per week.
Here's the deal though - pay what you can, never more. You set the pay rate and find someone willing to take the gig. You WILL find someone willing to be paid what you want to pay them. Robert's idea of a percentage is good. I've done that before too. BUT, you can get into some issues with unsatisfied staff if the revenue isn't what they or you had hoped for. It may be better to pay $50 per show and keep 'em happy. Factor in travel, accomodations and per diem as well. And about the contractor's status. Every theater or entertainment company I have ever worked for hired me as a 1099 independant contractor. I hire all of my talent in the same fashion. It's just the way it is done. There may be a loop hole for theater companies... |
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