Working With Us: Performer & Educator Compensation

At Fort Wayne Improv, we believe artistic sustainability starts with transparent pay. We value the time, talent, and energy our collaborators bring to our stage and classrooms, and we never ask artists to work solely for “exposure.”

Below is the complete breakdown of how we compensate performers, core curriculum instructors, and independent workshop instructors.

1. Performer & Troupe Compensation

We operate our guest runs, indie troupes, and mainstage shows on a transparent, shared-success box office split.

Staffing Provided by the Theater

Unless otherwise negotiated in advance, Fort Wayne Improv staffs every production night so you can focus entirely on your performance. The theater supplies:

  • A dedicated Technical Operator (lights, sound, intro/outro music, stage cues)
  • A Box Office & Front-of-House Lead (ticketing check-in, door sales)
  • A Bartender running concessions and drinks

Friday Nights (beginning February 2027): 8:00 PM Double-Feature Showcase (Monthly Residencies)

Starting in 2027, Friday nights will feature an 8:00 PM showcase structured with two 25-minute performance slots and a 10-minute intermission.

To give teams time to build momentum, develop chemistry, and market their show, troupes are booked for a one-month run (typically 4 consecutive Friday nights):

  • The Monthly Run Structure: Booked troupes receive a dedicated weekly slot throughout the calendar month. This allows you to promote a true limited run to your audience rather than a one-off performance.
  • House Nut: The theater retains the first $100 of gross ticket sales each Friday to cover production staffing, utilities, and facility overhead.
  • The Split: All remaining ticket revenue after the first $100 is split 60% to the performers / 40% to the theater.
  • Slot Allocation: The 60% performer pool is divided evenly (30% per slot) between the two performing acts each night. (If an ensemble books both slots to produce an extended 60-minute feature run, they receive the full 60%).

Saturday Nights: Prime-Time Showcase

Saturday nights are reserved for feature ensembles, headlining acts, and specialty productions:

  • House Nut: The theater retains the first $150 of gross ticket sales to cover prime-time facility overhead and front-of-house operations.
  • The Split: All remaining ticket revenue after the first $150 is split 60% to the performers / 40% to the theater.

Payout Terms & Door Settlement

  • Box office receipts are reconciled immediately following the performance run.
  • Final payouts are disbursed via direct digital transfer within 48 to 72 hours of the run’s closing.

2. Teaching Artist & Workshop Compensation

Our training center operates on two distinct tracks: our core curriculum series and specialty guest-led workshops.

Track A: Core Curriculum Faculty (Hand-Selected / Invitation-Only)

Our foundational Intro to Improv courses are taught by hand-selected instructors from our creative community using theater-provided curriculum.

  • Hourly Rate: $20.00 / hour (classified as part-time W-2 employees).
  • Built-In Facility & Prep Time: We respect the time it takes to open and reset the theater for classes. For every scheduled workshop, instructors are credited and paid for an additional 20 minutes for the following:
    • 15 minutes before class: Opening doors, greeting early students, and setting the space.
    • 5 minutes after class: Room reset and locking up.
  • Theater-Initiated Cancellations: If the theater cancels a class due to severe weather, facility issues, low enrollment, or force majeure with less than 24 hours’ notice, the instructor receives full pay for that scheduled block. If it is canceled with more than 24 hours’ notice, the block is unbilled, but the instructor receives priority for makeup sessions.

Track B: Independent Workshops & Specialty Labs (Open Pitch)

Have a signature skill, masterclass, or specialized improv form not covered in our core catalog? We partner with guest artists, directors, and troupe leaders to produce specialty offerings.

  • 60/40 Revenue Split: Instructors receive 60% of net tuition (gross registration minus standard ~3.5% credit card merchant processing fees). The theater retains 40%. There are zero upfront studio rental fees.
  • Teacher Ownership: You retain 100% intellectual property ownership of your workshop, syllabus, and instructional materials.
  • Infrastructure & Support: We provide the studio space, ticketing engine, customer support, and inclusion in our promotional announcements.
  • Collaborative Marketing: You bring your craft and help promote the lab to your network. We put your offering directly in front of our growing student base.

3. Studio Safety & Leadership Backing Guarantee

Regardless of whether you are in rehearsal, on stage, or leading a workshop, Fort Wayne Improv operates on an Artist-First Support Policy:

  • Consent & Staging Protocols: We enforce clear boundaries for all scene work and stage contact. Physical contact and personal boundaries must be consensual and respected at all times.
  • Zero Tolerance: We maintain zero tolerance for harassment, discrimination, intoxication, or unsafe behavior in our venue.
  • Complete Administrative Backing: Theater management backs our performers, directors, and instructors 100% on real-time judgment calls regarding safety and boundary enforcement. Management will handle all follow-up enforcement.

Ready to Work Together?

🎓 Take a Class!