sliding scale ticket model

One of Shakespeare in the Woods’ core values is to make art that is accessible to all audiences regardless of socioeconomic standing. To reflect this we’re introducing our newly updated sliding scale ticket model that uses framework originally created by Alexis J. Cunningfolk | www.wortsandcunning.com . This model is updated for the 2025 Season. Tickets will go on sale June 1st, 2025!

Why Sliding Scale Ticket Pricing? - Vermont Community Foundation

The introduction of a Sliding Scale Ticket Model in 2024 was a huge success for SitW! Audiences embraced and engaged with the new system fantastically, and we gained important insight from the resulting data. We’re thrilled to continue building upon last season’s success and maintain offering accessible price points to the arts!

Going into the 2025 Season, we’ve made a few changes based on last year's findings, including removing a Suggested General Admission price and tweaking the Scale Tiers. The same financial framework & language accompanying the different Tiers is here to help guide you in selecting the Tier that best reflects your personal financial situation and flexibility, and there will always be zero cost tickets available for every performance for anyone who needs this option.

For a sliding scale to work, it relies on the principles of truthfulness, respect, and accountability. We don’t ask for income verification, but we do ask that you be honest when engaging with the sliding scale model. Community thrives when accountability is a central value. If you purchase a price at the lowest end of the scale when you can truthfully afford the higher ticket prices, you’re actually limiting access to those who truly need the assistance of financial flexibility. Being honest with yourself and your financial situation when engaging with sliding scale practices grows strong and sustainable communities.

We encourage you to learn more about SitW’s pursuit of ensuring equitable pay for all professional artists involved in season and the economics of our productions below, as well as how those economics inform the higher ticket price options listed.

WHAT SHOULD I PAY? The below guidelines are meant to help you determine what tier of the sliding scale best fits your current financial situation. There is no “right or wrong” option - If you are able to pay more, we ask that you please do. If you need to pay less, we ask that you please do. The financial barrier that is so often associated with attending theatre also reinforces a perception that theatre is a luxury meant only for a specific economic bracket of the population. Shakespeare in the Woods exists to engage in dialogue with audiences through art- we are half of a conversation and you, the audience, are the other. The arts are a vital part of communal wellness and connection, and we believe theatre is for everyone. We would love to have you in the audience.

No cost $0 tickets are always available for all of our productions. If you don’t see this category available during checkout, please email shakespeareinthewoodsvt@gmail.com, and we’ll help book your ticket!

* Basic Needs include food, housing, health care, and transportation.

** Expendable Income might mean you are able to buy coffee or tea at a shop, go to the movies or a concert, buy new clothes, books, and similar items each month, etc.

$90-100 Sliding Scale Ticket (true cost price): I am comfortable and able to meet all of my basic* needs. I may have some debt, but it does not prohibit attainment of basic needs. I own my home, or I rent a higher-end property. I own/ lease a car, or I can always afford public and private transport. I am employed, or do not need to work to meet my needs. I have regular access to healthcare. I have access to financial savings. I have an expendable** income. I can afford vacations or to take time off.

$60-85 Sliding Scale Ticket: I am able to meet my basic* needs. I may have some debt, but it does not prohibit attainment of basic needs. I own my home, or I rent a property. I own/lease a car, or I can afford public and private transport. I am employed or self employed. I have access to healthcare. I have access to some financial savings. I have some expendable** income. I can take a vacation without financial burden.

$25-40 Sliding Scale Ticket: I may stress about meeting my basic* needs, but still regularly achieve them. I may have some debt, but it does not prohibit attainment of basic needs. I have access to a car and can afford gas, or I can afford public transport and often private transport. I am employed or self-employed. I have some financial savings. I have some expendable** income. I have access to healthcare. I can take a vacation annually, or every few years without financial burden.

$15 - $0 Sliding Scale Ticket: I frequently stress about meeting basic* needs and don’t always achieve them. I have debt, and it sometimes prohibits me from meeting my basic needs. I have unstable housing. I sometimes can’t afford public or private transport. I am unemployed or underemployed. I have no access to savings. I have no or very limited expendable** income. I do not have the ability to take time off without financial burden.

(This framework language was originally developed by Alexis J. Cunningfolk)

Understanding SitW’s Production Economics & The 2025 Season Budget Breakdown:

Total Estimated Budget: $111,000

$26,540 in Local Housing & Transportation costs
$68,048 in Artist Pay for 2025 company (18 professional artists, including 2 Actors Equity Association contracts)
$16,240 in Production Costs (includes: set and prop materials, costumes, lighting equipment, administrative, insurance, photography, graphic design, printing materials, and equipment storage rental)

Some quick math examples of how ticket pricing affects our economics:

If all tickets are priced at the base “true cost” amount, with a season attendance of 400: $90 x 500 = $36,000
If all tickets were $35 each with a season attendance of 400 people: $35 x 400 = $14,000
Single show attendance of 40 people where tickets are all $90 vs $35: $90 x 40 = $3,600 vs $35 x 40= $1,400

In sharing this information, we hope those outside the non-profit theatre industry gain a deeper understanding of what the true cost of making our art is, and how ticket pricing can play a significant, but not solo, role in funding. We are proud that the majority of our budgetary costs go towards paying our artists, and have successfully raised pay rates with every season as we work towards the goal of an equitable, living wage for artists. SitW currently receives the majority of its funding from a combination of grants and sustained individual donors, followed by grassroots fundraising, ticket sales and playbill advertisers.