Independent theatre producer

Ticket buyers, plus arts funders, local councils, sponsors and small businesses that back a show.

Ticket sales (often split with the venue), sponsorship, crowdfunding and arts grants, less venue hire, wages and licensing costs. Income comes in lumps around each season.

• Organising people and budgets
• Eye for a good script and director
• Marketing and social media
• Negotiating with venues

• Script and music licensing, check what rights you need before rehearsals start
• Public liability insurance, and whether the venue requires its own cover
• Pay rates and contracts for performers and crew, check Fair Work rules and the relevant award
• Workers compensation and superannuation once you pay people, check your state scheme
• Shows can lose money, so set a cost limit before you commit to a venue
• GST registration once turnover reaches the threshold

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on venue hire, rehearsal space, script rights, marketing and crew. Set a cost limit before committing to a venue, as shows can lose money.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on ticket sales, grants and sponsors, and the length of your season. Estimates start at about 10 hours a week.

Check script and music licensing, public liability insurance and venue cover requirements, plus Fair Work rules and the relevant award for pay. Also check workers compensation, superannuation once you pay people, and GST registration at the threshold.