Small independent theatre company

Ticket buyers, arts funding bodies, local councils, sponsors and donors, and venues or festivals that book the show.

Ticket sales and festival or venue fees, topped up by grants, crowdfunding and sponsorship. Many companies also run workshops or private shows to bring in steady income.

• Directing or producing
• Budgeting and project planning
• Working with actors and crew
• Marketing a show

• Performance rights and licensing fees for published plays, check with the rights holder or publisher
• Public liability insurance, which most venues will ask to see
• Pay and conditions for performers and crew, check the Live Performance Award and whether volunteers or profit share arrangements are suitable
• Grant applications take time and are never guaranteed, so plan the budget without relying on them
• Working with children in a cast needs a check, check your state's requirements

Startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on venue hire, rehearsal space, set and costumes, performance rights and marketing. These are estimates, so build a budget for each production before committing.

Monthly revenue is typically around $0 to $6,000, depending on ticket sales, grants, sponsors and venue or festival bookings. This is an estimate, and some months may bring in nothing, so plan your budget carefully.

Check performance rights and licensing fees for published plays, public liability insurance that venues will ask to see, and pay and conditions under the Live Performance Award. Also check your state's requirements if children are in the cast.