Profit share arrangements

I've always used a profit-share set up for my shows. We have had a couple of shows which have not made much more than costs back, but on other occasions we have had a decent profit to share. I've always drawn up contracts for the cast and crew at the beginning of the rehearsal process, and have never had any issues from any of the company about this process. I have found it's a great way to go when you don't have any funding - it doesn't commit you to paying your cast and crew a set fee when you may not make it (particularly if you don't have any funding and aren't rich!) but it does give the cast and crew an assurance that if they don't make money off it, you (as producer) haven't either - a much better system than getting them all to work for free and the producer keeping all the money! It also means that generally the cast and crew do actually help to promote the show because they know their share is directly related to ticket sales! Sarah Gooda Artistic Director, Spangled Aura Productions