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

Hmm... $150k? Insurance for a large cast (personal and public?) Venue rental Other equipment (ie. lighting, sound) rental Costumes Set Pay for the pro actors Marketing and publicity Royalties (both musical and script?) ... I can produce a pro show for less than $3k in a professional (what the hell is a 'pro' venue anyway?) venue. Perhaps someone needs to look at what big budget pro musicals spend... I suspect the figure is an exaggeration, and/or the director has already found a sponsor/funding, and is not entirely putting in all the money. There's no guarantee of getting it back, and I can't think of anyone - enthusiastic and committed or not - who would put out that much money for one show. Sticky Apple Legs www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.thepromptcopy.com/pip My puppets www.collectzing.com/collection/137/