Theatre Tip Jars Are Great, Just Make Sure Everyone Is Included

by Hannah Crawford, Columnist

Before getting into this, it’s worth saying that post-show tip jars are not some universal theatre tradition. You’re not likely to see them at every community theatre. But they do exist, especially in smaller theatres, cabaret-style spaces, benefit performances, and local productions where the line between donations, tips, and performer appreciation can get a little blurry.

And when a theatre does choose to collect money from audiences in the name of supporting the production, the question becomes pretty simple: who exactly is being supported?

Let’s go back several years to when I worked a series of shows after taking a much-needed hiatus following COVID. I really took that exit during the COVID hit very hard, and I didn’t think I’d ever return to the theatre.

But, lo and behold, there I was a few years later, craving to get back into the theatre scene, and this was my opportunity. There was a local theatre in the area that I hadn’t yet worked with, so I was also excited about the opportunity to build some connections a little closer, rather than the longer drive to Orlando. 

As always, working with new theatres can take a little time before you learn how they do things. If there’s one thing I’ve definitely learned working at various theatres, it is that not everyone does things the same way. And that’s okay. 

The first show was concluding, the audience was clapping and cheering, and it was an enthralling experience for me to be back in it once again. The theatre had gathered some of the actors to go outside with buckets to get tips after the show. How utterly sweet this theatre did that!

It’s worth saying that post-show tip jars are not a universal theatre tradition. You’re not likely to see them at every community theatre. But they do exist, especially in smaller theatres and local productions, where every financial contribution, from any source, truly matters. 

However, I quickly found that only the actors were given the tips from the audience at this theatre. To say that I was confused and shocked would be putting this very mildly. 

I’m not sure if they know this, but a production doesn’t happen solely because of actors. And I know that if that theatre were to read this post, they would immediately respond with “oh, no, we know that! Our crew is so vital to what we do.”

If that’s the case, then how come you don’t put your money where your mouth is?

Sure, the audience sees the cast performing. But, they are also experiencing lighting, sound, costume changes, set work, stage management, backstage coordination, and more. 

And if audiences are being asked for tips to support the amazing production team… then how come that support stops with the people who are visibly up on stage?

Theatre is Most Like a Sport - It’s a Team Effort

How many times in sports in your life do you hear that winning a game is a team effort, whether it is your kids' game or hearing a coach give a victory speech after a game on TV?

And that’s because it is so true. It takes a whole team working well together to win a game. And the principle is the same for when we put on a theatrical production. It takes both the crew and the actors to make it work.

You can’t have a show without actors. And you can’t have a show without the crew.

I feel like we all know this, but at the same time, I don’t feel like everyone “knows” it.

The crew holds so much together during a show. You don’t recognize that there is a crew almost until something goes wrong. The moment a light cue is missed, the scene's emotion changes. Or all of a sudden, the wrong sound is played, throwing off the cadence. 

The crew is not support staff. The crew is made up of artists and performers… just behind the curtain.

When Tips Only Go to the Cast, It Divides

I have long since moved on from that theatre; however, it is still etched in my memory how it felt to work three shows in a row and watch that happen every performance. What made it even more awkward was hearing the actors talking about their bonuses every two weeks. 

Are you ready for something even more awkward? The actors who would come to me as the stage manager, asking about their tips portion. Did they not even consider that none of those tips were going to me? And it’s not like it was a secret. The theatre proudly stated that the tips go straight to the actors.

Imagine in your workplace if only half of the employees received tips and the other half did not. How would that make you feel?

We often had small roles where people sang only one or two songs or had a handful of lines, yet they still received tips from every show. But, me as a stage manager putting in more hours than anyone else, was not considered.

Supporting “The Cast and the Crew”

Now, let’s flash forward several years, when I was involved in a local musical, and the theatre proudly announced that it had received donations for both cast and crew. When I tell you, I truly was immediately relieved to see that. It brought me back to this experience, and I was grateful I wouldn’t have to relive it at this theatre. 

After the shows, actors would go out with buckets, and people would tip after a well-done show. I kept waiting to hear when those tips would be given out to the cast and crew, but it never came. 

As it turns out, those “donations” weren’t extra. They were just donations to help the theatre, which in turn helped pay all the artists and crew working on the production. 

Talk about confusing.

When you make a point of sharing this before a show and then have actors standing outside with tip jars, people naturally think it is in addition to. Or at least, that would be my thought process as a patron.

Financial contributions go a long way to making anyone feel appreciated. I’m not talking about some big amount. At my job, when I randomly get a Starbucks gift card from my boss just to say I appreciate you and you’re doing a good job, it means a lot. Is that $25 paying my car note? No, obviously not. But it’s the appreciation and recognition that goes a long way.

When theatres take the step to collect tips in the name of the production, then everyone who helped to make it a success deserves to be included in that appreciation. 

Never in the history of theatre has it ever been just an actor's performance. A show survives and thrives because the entire team gives their time and energy into making that magic happen for everyone to see. And all those people deserve to be appreciated and financially recognized... not just half.