Is it normal to be charged a bond in amateur musicals?

"On the inside", I presume you mean, I'm a commitee member or I have done shows with them before, No I'm not and no I haven't. I haven't even seen any of their shows before. I'm actually still ummming and ahhing about the audition because of the financial committment required in the first few weeks of rehearsal. But I looked at it this way, $200 bond, "Yes" I agree, that's steep, which you do get back, plus $100 production fees(shirt included), but you get to perform at The Theatre Royal with a 25 piece orchestra, Compared to doing Les Mis, in a community hall, with no bond, but a $120 prod fees, plus membership, usually plus shirt. Again, I'm not a committee member nor have I done a show with them before. This is just my view.