Nonprofit Theatre in America

In 1961, the not-for-profit professional theatre in America consisted of only 16 theatre companies established specifically for educational and charitable purposes. Today, thanks in large measure to the pivotal role played by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) since its creation in 1965, the field consists of diverse theatres—located in major metropolitan centers, urban neighborhoods, suburbs and rural communities—estimated to more than 1,910. Their wide-ranging repertoire includes classics; modern plays and musicals; new plays, adaptations and translations by American and international writers; plays for culturally specific and young audiences; and experimental, multimedia and performance-art works.

Collectively, these 1,910 theatres (those filing IRS Form 990) play to an annual audience of more than 30 million Americans. An additional 2.5 million people are served by the 1,180 outreach and educational programs offered by the 196 profiled theatres responding to TCG’s survey, including touring productions, artists-in-the-schools, teacher training, workshops and lectures in local community centers and libraries, internships for college students, special programs for at-risk children and life-long learning opportunities.

By supporting the nation’s finest theatre institutions, the NEA has contributed far beyond the actual monetary value of its grants. The leveraging effect of NEA grants attracts other private and public funding, through matching requirements as well as the symbolic imprimatur an NEA grant represents. Nearly every Pulitzer Prize-winning play since 1976 originated at an NEA-funded theatre, and a network of educational and outreach programs has sprung up across the country as a result of NEA support, ensuring access to all Americans and  developing new generations of audiences.

2007 Universe of U.S. Not-For-Profit Professional Theatres
1,910 Theatres

Theatre Facts 2007, a study by Theatre Communications Group based on its annual fiscal survey, reported on 1,714 not-for-profit professional theatres plus 196 TCG member theatres ranging in size from $120,000 in annual operating expenses to more than $50 million. These U.S. not-for-profit theatres employed more than 109,000 theatre workers—actors, directors, playwrights, designers, administrators and technicians—and constituted a more than $1.7 billion industry, with an even greater economic impact generated by these institutions in their local communities. And from the 196 member theatres 53.2% of total expenses were devoted to compensation of personnel. The 1,910 theatres are estimated to have offered 197,000 performances that attracted 31 million patrons.

NEA funding impacted theatres in many ways. Direct impact came not only in the form of project grants, but also in the multiplier affect that NEA grants, through their 2-to-1 or 3-to-1 matching funds requirement, have on theatres’ ability to leverage funding. Indirectly, NEA funding was felt by theatres as it trickled down in the form of bloc grants to states and, subsequently, as city and county funding. State and local arts agencies together provided theatres with 4.3 percent of their total income.

Examples of Economic and Community Impact
With the support of a $40,000 grant from the NEA, The Signature Theatre located in Arlington, Virginia will host the world premiere production of the musical Giant.  Adapted from the American classic novel by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Edna Ferber (Showboat), Giant is a daring new musical that tells the powerful story of a Texas rancher and his Virginia-born wife as they face increasing challenges in an ever-changing American landscape.  The play explores two generations of Texas ranchers as they are confronted with Mexican American race relations in the face of a growing oil industry.  A musical project in the making for more than two years, Giant was commissioned as part of Signature's American Musical Voices Project, which provides opportunities to selected composers to create new musical theater works.  Artistic director Eric Schaeffer will direct 17 actors, a 12-person design team, and a 21-piece orchestra, with music and lyrics by Five-time Tony Award® nominee Michael John LaChiusa, and book by Sybille Pearson.

Boise Contemporary Theater received a grant for $10,000 from the NEA to support their production of I Have Before Me a Remarkable Document Given to Me by a Young Lady From Rwanda by Sonja Linden.  Inspired by the real life experiences of refugees in the UK, the play tells the story of two people from entirely different worlds, who meet in London in 1999, five years after the genocide in Rwanda.  Juliette is a young Rwandan asylum seeker determined to write a book about the tragedy that killed her family.  Simon is a struggling middle-aged poet and novelist who teaches writing at a refugee center.  The play follows their funny and touching journey to an inspiring conclusion.  Throughout the run of the production, BCT offered free tickets to the local refugee community and were met with an encouraging and enthusiastic response. 

In order to commission and produce a new stage adaptation of the Thornton Wilder novel Heaven's My Destination, the Cleveland Play House in Ohio received a $25,000 grant from the NEA.  Wilder's 1935 novel receives its stage premiere this April under the direction of Cleveland Play House Artistic Director Michael Bloom.  This hilarious tale about goodness in a fallen world, adapted by award-winning playwright Lee Blessing, follows a traveling textbook salesman and fervent religious convert, on a personal journey to lead a good life during Depression-era America.  The Cleveland Play House serves 100,000 patrons in the Greater Cleveland region including approximately 20,000 students.  This production will also include a free panel discussion with panelists who are close to Wilder and to the production, as well as experts on the play's historical context.

The NEA supports Seattle Repertory Theatre's upcoming production of Conor McPherson's The Seafarer with a grant for $35,000.  Directed by Wilson Milam who is a Bellevue, Washington native.  Milam was nominated for a Tony Award® for Best Director of a Play for Martin McDonagh's The Lieutenant of Inishmore.  The Seafarer is a darkly funny and compelling new play about Ireland, the power of myth and the bond of a group of friends.  Seattle Repertory Theatre engages in several forms of community outreach including pre-play warm-ups for preview performances, lobby talks and post play discussions, as well as their popular subscriber social groups, happy hour and taste of the Rep.  These programs allow community members and supporters to engage socially and maintain relationships with their fellow audience members and artists alike.