A LIVING WAGE FOR ARTISTS

“Actors are a dime a dozen.”

Well no, they aren’t. And neither are directors, designers, stage managers, or anyone else who works in the American Theater, but currently the vast number of theatre artists in Milwaukee and across the nation work for less than minimum wage. Including here at The Constructivists. But let us show you why.

According to THIS WEBSITE, the current living wage for 1 adult without children working in Milwaukee should be $16.63. If we put that to our current work schedule, in order to pay just one full time actor a living wage for one production:

Rehearsals: 20 hrs/wk/6wks = $1,995.60 +

Tech week:  6 hrs/day/5 days: $498.90 +

Performances: 9 @ 4hrs/night: $598.68 =

TOTAL: $3,093.18.

Right now we pay our artists a $150 stipend for the entire production. And our Director and Staff are completely volunteer. It’s sad and embarrassing and unsustainable. And if we take into account each production requires at least a dozen artists, you’re starting to look at nearly $50,000 in wages alone. But we HAVE to do it. We need to change. We want to be able to pay our Artists a dignified and respectable living wage any time they work for us within the next five years.

BUT.

Wisconsin ranks a horrendous 49TH in the amount of money it spends on the arts per person. Just FOURTEEN CENTS per resident. By contrast, right next door in Minnesota they spend $7.34 per resident. AND we used to be ranked dead last at 50th, but Arizona cut ALL of its arts funding. So. ON WISCONSIN.

Aside from a small COVID relief grant, we have not yet received any arts grants from the state of Wisconsin. We’re working on it. But this means we extra help from you, our fans, and private local businesses. Come party with us on October 23rd at the Interchange Theatre Co-Op and find out how every little bit helps. Enjoy the company of some great artists too.

RESERVE NOW: The Constructivists 2022 Dark Funny PAR-TAY!

If you’d like to see our financials you can do that here: IRS CHARITY SEARCH. Our EIN is 83-1893809 and there you’ll see exactly why we need your help.