So let's say someone not happy doing a show once every 3 to 4 years, gets fed up with the community theatre and decides to start their own company. 

The goal ... continue to let the public audition, provide on-going opportunities for actors, but now it's no longer a legal not-for-profit organization.  That person would produce the shows on their own dime.

If you license a show are you now technically a professional theatre because it's no longer a 501c3?

If you provide a stipend for actors for mileage and expenses ... do these become wages ($100 to $200)?  I'm somewhat assuming they are (as small as they would be) and then employment taxes come into play.

The only other option is to apply for another 501c3 and go from there and then we could be right back where we started.

I realize that I would need to speak to an attorney or accountant for the final answer as well as discuss other liability issues, but thought I would check to see if anyone on this board has ever traveled this route and if so, what was your experience.  (Also a little bit of a vent.) 

Thanks

I am wondering the same thing

Originally posted by imamember I guess I can't complain about only 2 or 3 productions a season.

No you can't. 

This is a very small area and it's just hard to get things done by committee not to mention we're always looking for a space.  Sometimes it's the same as other things in life ... just easier to do it yourself.

I guess the initial post was as much of a vent as anything else.  It sometimes gets to be like beating your head up against the wall.

I feel better today, but dang ... this gets old.