AWG Recommended rates for writing for theatre

The following are the Australian Writers' Guild Recommended Rates. For further information contact the AWG.

Download sample AWG Theatre Commissioning Agreement (pdf)
Download sample AWG Theatre Licencing Agreement (pdf)

Plays (Royalties)

10% of the gross box office receipts as a royalty where the play occupies the whole programme.

Where the play is part of a double or triple bill, the royalty and advance should be divided equally between the playwrights.

Advances

An advance is paid on the royalties and is considered unreturnable. It is important to distinguish between State, Australian and world rights.

Advance for State Rights only:

(300+ seats) $5,000
(200+ seats) $2,500

Below 200 seats is negotiable, but never less than $1000.

Advance for Australian Rights: a minimum of double the non-returnable advance.

Commissions

$10,000.

Writer in residence

$9,000 for 9 weeks.
$12,000 for 12 weeks.

Residences are funded for up to a period of 6 months.

Writers in Community (residency)

Writers in community tend to receive a lower rate than residencies. Payment to writers-in-community should be based on a five day week ie, four days on the project and one day for the writer’s own work. The weekly rate is $550-$700 which includes leave loading and holiday pay. Writers should negotiate at the high aye when a complex project involving intensive periods of work is planned. The minimum number of weeks for a residency is eight, there is no set maximum but they usually do not exceed around 14-16 weeks.

Theatre in Education and Community

Minimum payment for Theatre in Education/Community will be 10% of gross box office or a minimum fee of $50 per performance regardless of length. If the performance is performed for the general public, the payment should be no less than $100 per performance or 10% of the gross box office.
Minimum commission rate is $8,000 ($6000 for an inexperienced writer).

Advance against royalties

$1,000 ($800 for an inexperienced writer) or 10% of average gross box officer for the season.

Living away from home and other allowances – refer to MEAA for current rate.

Group Devised Work

Overall rate as for individual 10% of the gross box office receipts plus non-returnable advance for commission fee. Royalties and advance to be divided equally between the writers. This needs to be divided equally between the writers. This needs to be agreed to in a signed and witnessed agreement among the Group at the pre-material stage.

Theatre Restaurant

Where there is a single writer: 10% of gross box office receipts.
Where there are several writers: $100 per minute.

Workshops (Script Development)

When workshopping scripts "outside the rehearsal period" the writer shall be paid at the same rate as the actors. Where one person is paid a higher rate, eg. the director, then the writer shall be paid at the higher rate also.

Amateur

$75 per performance for play that occupies the full programme.
$45 for a short play billed with others.

Or 10% royalty of the gross box office receipts where the admission price and the size of the house are comparable with professional theatre.

Public Readings

Professional Company:
Full-length play $100; One-act $65.

Puppetry

Royalties 10%.

Division of Royalties for Musicals

15% of the gross box office receipts; divide for musicals as one third each (5%) for script/book, lyrics and composer. Usually divided for operas as 5% for lyricist and 10% for composer.

Librettos

As above. Negotiate for half and half but usual is 5% for the librettist and 10% for the composer of a 15%.

Audio-Visual Plays

Refer to AWG for the rates appropriate to the individual project.

Play Publishing

Advances not generally given. 10% royalty of recommended retail price. Subject to separate publishing contract with publisher.

Adaptation of a Play for Screen

Refer to AWG for appropriate rates.

Adaptation of a Novel to Stage

A free adaptation/translation of an out of copyright work is to be treated on the same terms as a new play ie, minimum commission rate, etc. Rights to the novel to be paid by the Producer unless the adaptation is a writer-initiated speculative work in which case the writer pays.

Translations

Ring the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (03) 9642 3301

A literal translation for an adaptation of an out of copyright work should attract a minimum royalty of at least 6.5%

Adaptation from other Media to Stage

Royalties 10%. Rates to be commensurate with the theatre for which the piece is being written.

Film Options

$1,500 for 12 months (see Option and Purchase Agreement)

Extension

Same rates again unless there is a serious rival wanting to pick it up at once, when it may be possible to bargain up. Never bargain down.

Dramaturg

Writer as Dramaturg – the same rate as the Director if in production of any kind. Where acting on text alone $50 an hour.

Articles

Programme notes, articles in programmes etc. Current rates set by MEAA $500 per 1000 words.

One-Off Historical Enactment

Negotiable. Fee to at least equate with Writer in Residency payments.

Speaking/Teaching

Half day $175 Full day $350.

Judging

If the prizewinner of a competition is to be paid, then the judges must also be paid. $175 for a half day and $350 for a full day.

Manuscript Assessment

$40 an hour minimum of $150.

Appearance on a Panel

$175 for a half day. $350 for a full day.