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for profit umbrella?

Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Theater Administration
Forum Name: Running Your Theater
Forum Discription: General questions about how to make it work
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2015
Printed Date: 11/25/24 at 12:05am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: for profit umbrella?
Posted By: opalviolet
Subject: for profit umbrella?
Date Posted: 9/09/06 at 1:08pm

My husband and I are veteran actors and have performed professionally.  I also had a production company for a while with three friends.  We put on The Odd Couple, Annie, and a show I wrote.  That was several years ago and I have moved from that community.

I own a tour operator business, an LLC, that includes entertainment as part of its legal purpose.  I've written ten shows (8 murder mysteries), direct, and produce, too.  We'd like to start a community theater group.  Can it be done under the umbrella of my for profit?  That would help out with insurance wouldn't it?

There's only one theater group in town, at the one county high school, with a wonderful director.  They do lots of shows throughout the school year that only students can be in.  During the summer, they do one show that includes adults.  All shows are well attended and are performed in the high school auditorium, which means it has limited availability for others.  The only other venues are small catering halls, but I'd like to be able to do large musicals at some point.  

The director's daughter has expressed interest in forming a group, too.  She also directs and choreographs.  Should we ask the drama teacher to join?  She gets paid well by the school system.  We can't do that.

We're fairly new to the community.  Our small community doesn't have a county arts council.

 




Replies:
Posted By: eveharrington
Date Posted: 9/09/06 at 10:25pm
Beware of starting a theatre without a permanent venue. It can be done but you should make sure you're aware of all the added storage costs and construction restraints of any temporary venue you plan to use. Is there a light system in place? Will you have to start from scratch with a platform stage for each show? Where are you going to store the stage and flats between shows? We build the stage from the carpet up in a convention room for every show we do and to be honest its a lot of fun but you definitly should consider this and a million other details if you decide to go ahead as a nomad company. Good Luck

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"If nothing else, there's applause... like waves of love pouring over the footlights."


Posted By: Sueshoo
Date Posted: 9/09/06 at 10:37pm
Originally posted by opalviolet

I own a tour operator business, an LLC, that includes entertainment as part of its legal purpose.  I've written ten shows (8 murder mysteries), direct, and produce, too.  We'd like to start a community theater group.  Can it be done under the umbrella of my for profit?  That would help out with insurance wouldn't it?

My suggestion is that you speak with your accountant and/or lawyer regarding EXACTLY what type of business you can operate under that particular LLC. Additionaly I generally think of a "community theatre group" as a non-profit or not for profit organization so if that is your intention can that be operated under your for profit LLC.   

Good luck



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Susan
Life is not a Dress Rehearsal



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