Butterfly Effect Theatre of Colorado (BETC)

Theatre as a catalyst for a better world.

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Walking the walk on equitable wages

December 2, 2021

Two costumers pin up an actor's dress

Dec. 2, 2021 – By Rebecca Remaly, BETC Managing Director

Theatres have long depended on individual artists’ passions and sacrifices to keep organizational expenses down. This certainly does not come as a shock to anyone in the arts. How many of us have worked for “a share of the profits,” or been told we should “feel lucky to have a gig,” or told ourselves that someday things will “pay off when we’ve made it?”

Those of us who are in arts administration and leadership know this as well. After all, we assemble the budget. We very carefully determine what is needed to keep the lights on, mount our productions, and sell tickets. When it comes to employee compensation, somehow, that dollar amount is one of the first items on the chopping block when balancing the budget. Maybe we can get away with just one crew member? What if we add performances without increasing wages? What if we have a non-union actor do props as well?

Asking our employees to do more for less is something that needs to stop. Let’s change the narrative. Non-profit organizations are still businesses. As such, we must adequately compensate the artists we employ, or talented people will leave this field for work that asks less of them and pays them more. We are hiring them to do a job. Might an artist be thrilled to have the opportunity to play a part or design a show? Sure, they might. That does not mean we should use that willingness to take advantage of them financially. We must compensate them equitably, we must facilitate a healthy work/life balance from staff to the director’s table, and if we are going to ask them to wear multiple hats, we must start asking them to do more for more.

Employee compensation is something we at BETC have taken seriously since our earliest days. Now, we commit to going even further.

Equitable pay, regardless of AEA union status

BETC is increasing our compensation to all cast and crew, ensuring that everyone is paid a minimum of $15/hour for their work on any given production. Additionally, non-union actors and stage managers will be paid the same wage as their AEA colleagues. Likewise, all other BETC employees—directors, administrative staff, designers, etc.—will also be paid a minimum of $15/hour for their work.

Moving to five-day rehearsal weeks

BETC has generally followed a theatrical tradition of six-day work weeks, with Monday as the day off. The reality is that most of our cast and crew never really get a day off, as many of us are working other jobs than BETC. Therefore, we are moving to a five-day rehearsal week schedule, ensuring that the cast and crew have both a weekend day and a weekday completely off from BETC.

No more 10 out of 12 days

During the final weekend of rehearsals before opening, the industry standard is for the cast to work for twelve hours with a two-hour break. Not only is this an exhausting schedule for the cast, but for the crew, designers, and director, it is an even longer day as they work before and after the scheduled rehearsal. We are doing away with this practice at BETC and will limit our cast call to a maximum of eight hours in a single day. For some productions, BETC may decide to add an additional week of rehearsals, which is an additional week of employment and compensation. 

Let’s face it: we are nothing without our employees. Now let’s start showing them.

The Washington Post: BETC 2017 Generations winner premieres at Mosaic Theater Company of DC
BETC returns to mainstage productions with “Fourteen Funerals”

Current Season Sponsors

  • SCFD
  • The Schubert Foundation Inc.
  • Karolynn Lestrud
  • Noel and Terry Hefty
  • Peak Asset Management
  • Cheri Belz, Architect & Realtor
  • Colorado Creative Industries
  • Hazel's Beverage World
  • CU Boulder Office for Outreach and Engagement
  • Artboard 12

Recent Press Articles

  • BETC Kicks Off 2022-2023 Season With Eco-Thriller “The Children”
  • Industry Discount Email Sign-up
  • BETC partners with tiny home builders to bring free theatre to Colorado communities
  • Parent playwright development program accepting submissions
  • Boulder Magazine Review “Fourteen Funerals”

Upcoming Events

“Ms. Holmes and Ms. Watson, Apt 2B” by Kate Hamill: Feb 2-25 2023 More

“Eden Prairie, 1971” by Mat Smart: April 6-29 2023 More

View All Events

Butterfly Effect Theatre of Colorado (BETC):
Formerly Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company


Named 2019 and 2017 Best Theatre for Adults (Denver Westword)

"Now in its 13th season, BETC has, in my experience, never put on a bad show. That’s not just incredible, it’s damn near impossible." (Boulder Weekly)

"Just put the dates for the rest of this season’s BETC shows on your calendar in advance so you won’t miss any of them. Do it!!" (Boulder Magazine)

"This is an excellent cast, working together as a sincere and talented ensemble, in a marvelous production...Now go get a ticket." (Theatre Colorado)
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