Pop-Up dinner theatre series

Couples, friends and families buying tickets for a night out, plus groups and employers booking blocks of seats.

A combined ticket price covers the meal, the show and your margin after venue, caterer, cast and marketing costs. Add-ons like a bar, merchandise and group packages can raise the average spend.

• Producing and directing
• Budgeting and ticket pricing
• Marketing and sales
• Managing a cast and caterer

• Liquor licensing varies by province, so check with your provincial regulator about special occasion permits
• The caterer or kitchen needs the right food permit from the local public health unit, so confirm this before booking
• Commercial general liability insurance, plus any event cancellation cover the venue asks for
• Fire code and room capacity limits set by the municipality
• Music and script rights, including SOCAN or Re:Sound fees where they apply
• Unsold seats are your risk, so avoid big deposits until early ticket sales show demand
• Check whether you need to register for GST/HST once revenue passes the small supplier threshold

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $5,000 to $20,000, depending on the hall, cast, caterer and production needs. Unsold seats are your risk, so avoid big deposits until early ticket sales show demand.

Monthly revenue estimates typically run around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how many shows you run and how many seats you sell. Time matters too, with estimates assuming at least about 15 hours a week.

Check liquor licensing with your provincial regulator, including special occasion permits, and confirm the caterer or kitchen has the right food permit from the local public health unit. Also check fire code and capacity limits, music and script rights, insurance, and GST/HST registration.