Small dance company staging ticketed shows

Audiences buying tickets, venues paying fees or sharing box office, and arts funders supporting production costs.

Ticket income, often through a box office split or a guaranteed fee from the venue, plus grants and sponsorship. Merchandise and workshops linked to the show can add a little extra.

• Choreography and directing
• Producing, budgeting and scheduling
• Marketing a show to an audience

• Production costs come before income, so a poorly sold show can lose money
• Public liability insurance, and check whether venues require their own cover
• Music licensing and rights for any music or choreography you did not create
• Paying dancers fairly, and check what you owe if they are employed rather than self-employed
• Venue terms such as box office splits, hire fees and technical requirements

Startup costs are typically around £2,000 to £10,000, depending on production, design, rehearsal and marketing. That is an estimate. Production costs come before income, so a poorly sold show can lose money.

Monthly revenue is typically around £500 to £3,000, depending on tickets sold, venue fees and any funding you secure. It is an estimate of revenue before costs, and you could start at around 12 hours a week.

Check venue terms such as box office splits, hire fees and technical requirements, and whether venues need their own cover alongside your public liability insurance. Also check music licensing and rights, and what you owe dancers if they are employed rather than self-employed.