Pop-up dinner theater at local venues

Couples, friend groups, birthday and anniversary parties, and companies booking team nights. Venues benefit from filled tables on slow evenings.

A combined ticket price for dinner and show, split with the venue after food costs. You can also sell private-group bookings at a flat fee or per-person rate.

• Directing or producing live shows
• Organizing cast, venue and ticket sales
• Customer service and local marketing

• Performance rights: check you have permission to use any script or music you did not write
• General liability insurance, and check whether the venue requires you to be named on its policy
• Alcohol and food rules: confirm with the venue and your local health department who holds which permits
• Check how you will pay performers (contractors versus employees) with the IRS and your state
• Ticket sales tax or amusement tax: check with your state and city

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the script or license, cast, props, insurance and marketing. Because partner venues supply the room and food, you avoid premises costs.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on ticket prices, how many show nights you run and how well you fill the tables. Treat this as an estimate, not a promise.

Check you have permission to use any script or music you did not write, and what insurance the venue requires. Confirm who holds food and alcohol permits, how to pay performers with the IRS and your state, and any ticket or amusement tax.