That producer isn't alone. Over a month after the festival's October 1 closing ceremonies, most groups who put on a Fringe show haven't seen their cut from ticket sales, SFTP officials say. Fringe gets $3 from the price of every ticket, and the theater troupe is supposed to get the rest within 30 days. For some groups who sold out shows in larger venues, that's nearly $3,000. Though no one puts on a Fringe show expecting to strike it rich, the artists want their money.
"I said we did not want to donate our earnings, as we still had bills to pay," says one director. Another woman with a local production company (most folks to whom SFTP owes money requested anonymity, citing Seattle's small theater community) related her conversation with a board member: "When I finished laughing, I said no." One performer noted the irony: "I have received nothing to 'donate' back," he said.
Of the 20 companies contacted by The Stranger, only one--Ami Dayan of Boulder, Colorado, who put on A Tale of a TIGER, which won an award at this year's festival--reported being paid.
Folks who haven't been paid have so far been forced to take a loss. There are several costs associated with participating in the festival: Companies pay $225 to join the Fringe lineup, plus a venue fee of up to $100 depending on where they perform. There are additional production, cast, crew, and publicity costs for the companies. Many also pay to have an ad in the Fringe guide. "It's really necessary to see that money at the end of the festival," one local producer said. "I could have done better on my own."
SFTP's executive director, Andrew Laird Haines, acknowledges the calls--the organization is also calling its other creditors, asking the same thing--and admits the 13-year-old nonprofit group is in a "really bad cash flow and financial situation right now." In fact, SFTP--which shells out about $200,000 to put on the festival--needs to raise about $120,000.
What happened? Haines says there are several issues: First, SFTP shifted the festival from spring to fall last year, to synch with the national fringe theater touring circuit. They may have lost regular audience members because of the switch. Audience numbers were down 25 percent from past festivals. This year's fall program also added an opening gala and three beer gardens. Operating costs, like insurance, went up. And Fringe received 46 percent less grant money in 2003, compared to last year. "I think we grew beyond our means," says Haines, who joined SFTP a year ago.
Haines says the board is meeting several times a week to come up with a plan to get back in the black. Haines says SFTP is dedicated to paying everyone. "We're going to be working on a payment plan," he says. "This week we will be disbursing checks, a goodwill payment. And board members will be contacting them again." This time, artists hope, the board won't be requesting donations.
