Date of Award
5-2023
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Interdisciplinary Studies
Department
Multi-Disciplinary Program
First Advisor
Scott Shattuck M.F.A.
Second Advisor
Anne Smith Ph.D.
Third Advisor
Cindy Davis Ph.D.
Fourth Advisor
Casey Hart Ph.D.
Abstract
This paper aims to guide entrepreneurial theatre artists in beginning a nonprofit theatre arts venture. It will provide an in-depth analysis of the foundations required to begin a nonprofit theatre organization and analyze the need for expanding upon traditional structures and styles. Incorporating evidence and research from relevant literature, coursework, and market data as well as analysis of a strategic plan for The Common Theatre Company, this paper finds that non-profit theatre companies can be positively served by developing unique products and services and a nontraditional governance model as an extension of the foundational needs of a nonprofit organization. The traditional theatre venture generally includes a mission revolving around production content, follows a basic season, exclusively offers plays or musicals in its programming, and is governed by a top-down Board of Directors structure. The Common Theatre Company represents a new approach to this typical model offering diverse programming, a unique community partnership angle, and a collaborative governance structure. In a market geared toward non-arts industries that finds audiences across sectors overstimulated and oversaturated, small nonprofit theatres need more resources geared toward them. This paper is meant to serve as a blueprint for the emerging theatre company and a guide to finding unique ways to stand out in any market.
Repository Citation
McMillan, Kelsey, "Developing the Nonprofit Theatre: Building a Foundation for the Emerging Theatre Company" (2023). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 510.
https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/510
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Included in
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations Commons, Nonprofit Administration and Management Commons, Other Theatre and Performance Studies Commons
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