Ticketed family shows in rented venues

Parents, grandparents and caregivers buying tickets, plus birthday party groups and community groups buying blocks of seats.

Ticket sales per show, with family bundles and group rates. Extras such as refreshments, merchandise or a meet-the-cast session add a little more.

• Directing and producing
• Acting or stage management
• Marketing to parents
• Budgeting for venue and cast costs

• Venue hire, fire capacity limits and any permits for public performances, so check with your municipality
• Commercial general liability insurance, which venues usually require
• Rights and royalties if you use a published script or music
• Empty seats: costs are fixed, so test demand with a small run first
• GST/HST on tickets once you pass the small supplier threshold, and child safety rules for any minors in the cast

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on venue hire, cast and production costs. Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $500 to $3,500, depending on ticket sales and how often you perform.

Check venue hire, fire capacity limits and any permits for public performances with your municipality. Also check commercial general liability insurance, rights and royalties for published scripts or music, GST/HST on tickets, and child safety rules for minors in the cast.

Estimates suggest at least about 8 hours a week. Helpful skills include directing and producing, acting or stage management, marketing to parents and budgeting. Costs are fixed, so test demand with a small run first.