We estimate that in 2011, 1,876 Theatres in the U.S. not-for-profit professional Theatre Field:
- Attracted 34 million audience members to 177,000 performances of 14,600 productions. In total, 1.5 million Americans subscribed to a theatre season.
- Contributed nearly $1.94 billion to the U.S. economy in payments for goods and services, and hired 130,000 artists, administrators and technical production staff in 2011. The real economic impact is far greater than $1.94 billion because theatre-goers frequently dine at restaurants, pay for parking, hire babysitters, etc. Theatres’ employees live in their communities, pay rent or buy homes, make regular purchases and contribute to the overall tax base.
- Engaged the majority of their employees in artistic pursuits. We estimate that the theatre workforce (i.e., all paid full-time, part-time, jobbed-in or fee-based employees) is 60% artistic, 28% production/technical and 12% administrative. It is worth noting that these percentages shift based on theatre size. For example, theatres with total expenses of $500,000 or less (i.e., 68% of Universe Theatres) employ 66% of their workforce in artistic positions, 26% in production and 8% as administrators. Theatres with total expenses greater than $500,000 employ 57% in artistic positions, 28% in production and 15% in administration.
- Received 51% of their income from earned sources and 49% from contributions. Theatres with total expenses of $500,000 or less received 39% from earned sources and 61% from contributions, whereas, theatres with total expenses above $500,000 received 53% from earned and 47% from contributed sources.
More theater facts here