Touring opera for regional towns and community venues

Venues and festivals paying performance fees, audiences buying tickets, schools and councils booking shows, and funders supporting touring.

A mix of guaranteed fees from presenters and a share of ticket sales, plus touring or regional arts grants where you qualify.

• Performing or producing opera or musical theatre
• Tour planning, budgeting and logistics
• Pitching to venues, festivals and schools

• Public liability insurance, and check what venues and councils require
• Working with Children Check if you perform in schools (rules vary by state)
• Travel costs can eat margins, so confirm fees before committing to a date
• Check music and libretto rights, and how to pay performers under relevant award rates
• Vehicle, trailer and equipment insurance for touring
• Startup costs depend heavily on whether you hire or buy a van or trailer; hiring per tour keeps upfront costs lower

Startup costs are typically around $25,000 to $80,000, depending heavily on whether you hire or buy a van or trailer. Hiring per tour keeps upfront costs lower. Equipment, sets and insurance also affect the total.

Check public liability requirements from venues and councils, whether you need a Working with Children Check for school shows (rules vary by state), music and libretto rights, award pay rates for performers, and vehicle, trailer and equipment insurance.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $14,000, depending on performance fees, ticket sales and how often you tour. Travel costs can eat margins, so confirm fees before committing to a date.