These recommendations are from Ashley Robinson’s webinar ”The Flying Pole Blueprint: Launching a Flying Pole…
How Much Does it Cost to Produce a Pole or Aerial Show? Show Production Hub
Recently, the IPIA published several resource posts about how to produce a show.
These posts covered a lot of things to consider when putting on a showcase, looking at different price-point scenarios from hosting at your studio to renting a local theater to creating a traveling show.
The production costs associated with all of these versions of shows vary wildly, this hub is designed to highlight consistencies across productions we discussed.
For specific thoughts and sample budgets, review the posts:
Casting
If you’re putting on a show, you’ve should pay your performers, especially if this show is made up of only professional performers. Just because someone has a “fun job” doesn’t mean you can ask them to do it for free.
If you can’t pay your cast for rehearsal time, consider some other form of compensation, like free training time in your studio or making them a co-producer and sharing profits.
Contracts and Rehearsals
The holy grail of business, you need contracts. Contracts outline expectations and protect both you and the people you hire.
Even if this is a student show or a volunteer situation, write down your expectations and share them clearly with all involved.
Advertising and Marketing
If you want people to attend your show, you need to let them know it’s happening! That means advertising and marketing.
There are numerous avenues you can take for marketing, but all come with a cost.
Balance that cost with your budget and revenue expectations.
It’s Showtime
In order to pay people for their work, you will need to generate revenue by selling tickets.
Ideally, ticket sales will cover costs even if you don’t have a sold out show, but you have to balance revenue with the market prices for tickets.
Final Thoughts
Putting on a show is a huge endeavor, emotionally, physically, and financially.
The IPIA has several resources to help with this undertaking, including the specific show posts linked above, as well as contract templates, information on grants and funding, and monthly webinars.
Join today for member only resources and discount off things you’ll need to run your show!
Additional Resources
Grants:
Contracts:
- All About Contracts
- Artist Contract Template (member only)
- About Employee Contracts
- Webinar for Professional Performers (member only)
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