How Much Does It Cost to Run a Small Theatre? (2008)

Frequently-asked question by community theatres & organizations

The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance is periodically asked how much money it takes to run a small theatre in Southeastern Pennsylvania. This question is often asked by individuals looking to start or grow a theatre, from community groups interested in arts-based community development, and from existing theatres interested in knowing more about peer organizations.

To help answer this question, the Cultural Alliance has analyzed financial and programmatic data from small theatres in order to present a picture of how they operate. This snapshot should be useful for theaters and community organizations.