Start a local theater or dance production company

Ticket buyers from your community, local sponsors and businesses, donors, and arts grant programs. Some groups also earn from classes or private bookings.

Ticket sales and concessions, sponsorships, and grants or donations if you set up as a nonprofit or use a fiscal sponsor. Classes and workshops can fill gaps between shows.

• Directing or choreographing
• Budgeting and production planning
• Marketing and ticketing
• Working with volunteers and performers

• Script and music licensing, since most published shows require paid performance rights
• Venue fire, occupancy and assembly rules, check with your city or county and the venue owner
• General liability insurance and any extra coverage your venue asks for
• Nonprofit status takes time and paperwork, so check with your state and the IRS before promising donors tax deductions
• Ticket revenue can be uncertain, so keep early costs low
• Sales tax or amusement tax on tickets varies by state and city, so check locally

Startup costs are typically around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on your space rental, casting and production plans. Ticket revenue can be uncertain, so keep early costs low and treat these as estimates.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on ticket sales, sponsors, donors and any classes or bookings. Plan on at least about 15 hours a week. Income can vary from show to show.

Check script and music licensing, since most published shows need paid performance rights. Also check venue fire, occupancy and assembly rules with your city or county, insurance, and sales or amusement tax on tickets, which varies by state and city.