Fees
The below recommendations are relevant to drag that is unsupported by public funding. Funded drag should be paid according to the LAFT guidelines. They are intended as a bare minimum and venues should be prepared to negotiate higher fees for more experienced performers
Capacity
For venues with a capacity of up to 100 people, a minimum fee of 200€ is recommended. For a capacity more than 200, the fee should be 300€. If tickets for an event with a large capacity sell particularly well the organiser should add an additional amount to the base fee of 300€. A minimum fee of 350€ is recommended for moderating a show. For corporate gigs (i.e. organised by companies rather than community organisers) an absolute minimum fee of 500€ is recommended regardless of capacity. For corporate gigs 50% of the fee should be paid in advance.
The first payment covers preparation, the second the performance. Drag artists performing other tasks than shows should be paid accordingly for their time and effort in getting into drag, as such we recommend paying the equivalent of a performance fee at least. We recognise that drag shows are a lot of work to organise and that these fees might be a challenge in some situations. One strategy to make them possible could be to reduce the number of performers and ask artists to do an extra number. This would help to avoid a situation in which artists are working all the time for too little money.
Community Venue Fee
We acknowledge that no small community business is getting rich off drag and in such cases we're willing to work together in good faith with small venues to help make these guidelines achievable. Because of this, we accept a minimum fee of 150€ for small community drag venues until the end of June 2025, at which point we recommend 200€ as the minimum.
Door cover
Venues and promoters should set realistic and sustainable door prices that balance the actual costs of producing drag shows with the needs and finances of the community that enjoys them. This should be at least the equivalent of one hour of the minimum wage (12.41€). We acknowledge that this can be a difficult balance, but we encourage promoters to consider the impact of unrealistically low door prices on the broader scene.
It is important that audiences understand the value of the shows they are enjoying. A model of offering solidarity tickets, where those with more money pay more and thereby offset free spots for those who can't pay is one alternative to setting a blanket price that is too low.
Another model can be to offer free entry via prior arrangement to audience members who don't have funds. Or a sliding scale that starts at the minimum (12.41€). If a venue wishes to offer a free drag show, it is essential that this is accompanied with the proper payment of the workers involved from the venue's own resources.
Tips
In general the fee for a show featuring professional performers should come from the venue or through door sales. Tips should not be used to pay performers' fees as this transfers the financial risk from the event organiser to the performers. Exceptions can be made for shows featuring only hobbyists, but a door fee or venue sponsorship is considered best practice.
Cancelation fees
If a booking is cancelled by the venue within 14 days of the event a cancellation fee of 60% should be paid by the venue. If the booking is cancelled within 48 hours, full payment should be made to the artist. If a performer is sick on the day of the show they should receive 60% of the arranged fee, and one of the performing artists should, if possible, cover for the absent artist with an extra number.
The covering performer should receive the other 40%. (This system can only work based on honesty and trust. DRAG Berlin does not recommend surveilling artists to ensure they're telling the truth, however word always goes around and artists who abuse this trust are likely to lose the confidence of bookers). Performers should inform the venue or promoter as soon as they realise they are too unwell to perform (at least four hours). This allows others to make arrangements to cover the absent performer.
Cancelation fees
If a booking is cancelled by the venue within 14 days of the event a cancellation fee of 60% should be paid by the venue. If the booking is cancelled within 48 hours, full payment should be made to the artist. If a performer is sick on the day of the show they should receive 60% of the arranged fee, and one of the performing artists should, if possible, cover for the absent artist with an extra number.
The covering performer should receive the other 40%. (This system can only work based on honesty and trust. DRAG Berlin does not recommend surveilling artists to ensure they're telling the truth, however word always goes around and artists who abuse this trust are likely to lose the confidence of bookers). Performers should inform the venue or promoter as soon as they realise they are too unwell to perform (at least four hours). This allows others to make arrangements to cover the absent performer.
Timeline for Payment
Full payment of invoices should be made within 14 days of submission
Transparency in communication of fees
Communication among performers regarding fees and conditions is an integral part of maintaining fair and safe work practices. Promoters and venues cannot require performers to keep financial arrangements secret.
Fundraisers
Drag has a long and proud tradition of fundraising for worthy causes. DRAG Berlin supports the practice of performers donating their time and skills to events raising funds as long as no one is drawing a profit from the event. However the basic conditions outlined below should be maintained.