Expert: Taylor Sheppard - 7/20/2007

Question
Working as an acting coach in the Southeast for the past 5 years has flourished and really taken off this past year.  At my $50/hr rate right now, I stay very steady and consistent with clients...is this on target, or does it sound too low?  I know some schools charge $60-$100/hr, but that seems to steep. the majority of my students are children and teens, so I'm dealing with a lot of multi-child families and budgets.

Answer
Hi A.P.,

From your letter I can see that you have a conscience, which is admirable. I'm spiritual more than claiming any religious affiliation, so I try to make choices based on what is fair, kind and of course how I would want to be treated. While you want to be fairly compensated, you are also getting something fairly intangible -the satisfaction of helping these kids pursue their dreams. While it would be nice on one hand to make scads of cash off of a few well to do people, you are helping some who have talent, but weren't born with a silver spoon in their mouths.
You didn't mention where in the Southeast, but in Austin the group deals run right around $175. for 6 classes (one a week) or so. That is in classes of 8 to 12 students. For one on one, $50. doesn't seem too low at all, especially if it is long term. I tend to spend money on that level or higher when I am working out a role for a film, but not when I am just sparring, so to speak.
Workshops 1-2 day events with casting people usually run around $185.00 to $225. depending on who it is.
Now, our area is a bit higher cost/lower wage for straight jobs, so that's what the market will bear. I don't know what kind of deal you do with families, I would probably less inclined to offer a giant break on multiples as it wouldn't be fair to individuals, and I wouldn't want to be a substitute baby sitter option for siblings who aren't really interested in acting.
I can't really say what your market will bear, and really, the only way to know would be to experiment, which isn't easy, because you might lose some steady students by jacking up your fees...At any rate, thanks for helping our future actors!

Best, Taylor