To this end, I reproduce here the wording of various forms of approved contracts now in general use by American Theatrical managers, and commend their reading to all who are interested in the intimate side of stage affairs.

The theatrical law requires that a chorus girl or boy be paid not less than $30.00 per week in New York City and $35.00 outside of New York, besides their transportation. This is the lowest salary. All first class managers pay choristers not less than $40.00 per week in New York and $50.00 on the road. The salary always includes transportation, but not living expenses, which you are required to pay.

Some chorus girls receive as much as $75.00 or $100.00 weekly, depending upon what they can do, their appearance, personality, etc. About the smallest salary ever offered a solo dancer with a vaudeville act would be $50.00 in New York and $60.00 on tour, while the majority of solo dancers without name or reputation would receive $75.00, $85.00 or $100.00 per week, to start, provided they really can do a real dance in a professional manner and "put it over" with some personality. One who receives $100.00 per week in New York should receive $125.00 on tour. After one's salary reaches $125.00 per week it can be increased on a sliding scale to $150.00 and $175.00 on tour, then $200.00 in New York and $250.00 on tour. From $250.00 to $300.00. After reaching $300.00 it generally jumps to $400.00, from $400.00 to $500.00, after that to $750.00, then $1000.00 to $1250.00, thence to $1500.00 a week, and then to ten percent of the gross receipts, usually a star's contract, though contracts and terms vary. A salary is fixed for one theatrical year and usually increased each year as indicated, but is never increased at all unless there is a demand for your services by reason of the fact that you have made a "hit" and registered genuine success.

Transcriber's Note: In the following contract forms, the original has rows of dots representing the blanks to be filled in. In this e-book, each set of dots has been replaced with a long dash (——).

FORM—IND: E.M. NO. 3

THIS CONTRACT MUST NOT BE ISSUED TO THE CHORUS

EQUITY MINIMUM CONTRACT