I have to agree... 40' is more than I am used to working with.  It just means you have to be more creative in your staging.

Bakthtr, I have also been involved with start-ups and want to reinforce the notion of being very sure before you launch into that one.  Yes, the cost is higher than expected and the amount of work is tremendously larger than you probably imagine.  But the biggest downfall I have seen is gaining audience.  Regardless of how good your productions are, it takes a while for your community to find out you exist, regardless of how much advertising you do.  Then it takes much longer for them to actually come to performances.  Also, unless you have your own facility, finding places to stage your productions can be difficult and/or expensive.

I, too, recommend making your concerns known to the existing CTs or getting involved enough to change them from within.  It's amazing how much someone is willing to listen to you after you have spent more time and effort in their cause.

In terms of competition in a small community, our 3-4 (and growing) number of small theatres compete, but not directly.  We all do different kinds of theatre, so we really complement each other, rather than directly competing.  It is very nice to see theatre and the performing arts grow and flourish in a small central Kentucky community!  By supporting each other the several theatre groups here are creating a market for ourselves by getting the rest of the community interested, as well.

Jeff

I agree that it is easier to try and work with an existing theater co. than to start one up on your own, but I think it bears saying that there are some circumstances where compromise is not an option. Especially dealing with teens or young children and questionable ethics and behavior, or just dealing with questionable ethics and mismanagement in general. I advocate going to the creative director and the board. Give voice to your concerns first.  Give them the benefit of the doubt. Try to work from the inside. But if the situation does not improve, explore your other options. 

It is a huge deal... overwhelming actually. You really have to evaluate your motivation for wanting to start up. Of course it seems logical that it would not be totally alturistic, but what is the level of self promotion involved? 

lalunabella