Touring theatre show for schools and venues

Schools and school councils, libraries, community centres, festivals and venues paying a performance fee.

A fixed fee per performance, sometimes with extra for workshops or additional shows on the same day. Grants can help with the first production.

• Producing and scheduling
• Working with children and teachers
• Writing or adapting scripts
• Selling to organizations

• Schools often ask for a police record check (vulnerable sector), so check what your school boards require
• Some school boards use approved vendor lists, so ask how to apply
• Commercial general liability insurance, which schools and venues may ask to see
• Rights to any existing story or music, so confirm permissions first
• Winter driving and weather cancellations, so plan your touring calendar and cancellation terms

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on your set, costumes, script or rights, transport and marketing. Costs vary with how portable and elaborate your show is.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how many bookings you secure and the performance fees you agree with schools and venues. This is revenue before costs. Plan for at least about 15 hours a week.

Check what police record checks (vulnerable sector) your school boards require, and whether they use approved vendor lists. Also check insurance requirements, rights to any story or music, and plan for winter driving and cancellations.