Weekend family theatre productions

Parents and grandparents buying tickets, plus schools and youth groups booking group seats. Local sponsors can help cover costs.

Ticket sales, group rates for schools, concessions and sponsorships. Some companies add paid kids' theatre classes or camps to smooth out income.

• Directing and producing
• Budgeting and project management
• Marketing to parents
• Working with volunteers and cast

• Performance rights and royalties for published plays and musicals, check licensing before you advertise
• Event or general liability insurance, which venues often require
• Sales tax on tickets, check your state's rules
• Check your city or county for any event permits, and fire capacity limits at the venue
• Revenue is uneven and a poorly sold show can lose money

Startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on the size of your productions, venue rental, sets and costumes, and rights fees. These are estimates, so build a budget for your first show before you commit.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on ticket prices, how well shows sell, school group bookings and sponsors. Revenue is uneven, and a poorly sold show can lose money.

Check performance rights and royalties for published plays and musicals before you advertise. Also look into event or general liability insurance, sales tax on tickets in your state, city or county event permits, and fire capacity limits at the venue.