Touring small-cast theatre company

Audiences buying tickets, community halls, schools, libraries and festivals paying a fee, plus arts councils and funders giving grants.

Ticket sales (often shared with the venue), flat performance fees from schools and organizations, and project grants from arts councils or local funders.

• Acting, directing or stage managing
• Organizing rehearsals and tours
• Writing simple budgets and grant applications
• Working well in a small team

• Rights and royalties: performing a published play usually needs permission, so check with the publisher or licensing agent
• Commercial general liability insurance, which venues often ask to see
• Whether to register as a sole proprietorship, partnership or non-profit, and how GST/HST applies once revenue passes the threshold
• Check whether performers are covered by union agreements such as Canadian Actors' Equity, and what that means for pay
• Winter weather and travel costs on tour; plan routes and a buffer in the budget
• Grants are competitive and slow, so don't rely on them for your first show

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on your production, set, rights and touring plans. Grants can help but are competitive and slow, so don't rely on them for your first show.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue typically around $500 to $4,000, depending on how many bookings you secure and on ticket sales and venue fees. Winter weather and travel costs can affect your budget, so build in a buffer.

Check whether you need permission or royalties to perform a published play, and whether venues expect commercial general liability insurance. Also check how to register your business, how GST/HST applies, and whether union agreements such as Canadian Actors' Equity affect pay.