The Economic Impact of Theatre

Theatre's Relevance

• Theatre remains relevant, impacting local and regional economies
• Theatre increases tourism, boosting local businesses (hotels, restaurants, stores, parking)
• Theatre increases property values and taxes
• In Massachusetts in 2022, theatre added $28.6B to the state's economy, making up 4.1% of the state's economy

Theatre & Economics

• Pre-Covid Broadway attendance reached an all-time high (2018-2019), with 14.77 million attendees
• Pre-Covid Broadway gross was $1.83 billion (2018-2019)
• 35% of Broadway attendees were New York residents, 46% American, and 19% foreign tourists (2.8 million)
• Average Broadway theatregoer spends $126 per ticket and attends 4 shows annually, generating $261,000 in annual income
• A $1 billion Hamilton franchise leveraged merchandise, including T-shirts, the cast album, books, and Disney+ ($75 million)

Theatre's Contribution to Communities

• The impact of theatre on communities extends beyond the immediate area
• Specific examples and locations like the Peace Center in Greenville, South Carolina, impacting local economies by $957.7 million in the city, and $1.1 billion for the state
• Other companies like TTS Studios, a technical design and custom fabrication company in Charleston, South Carolina, contributed $845,000 to the local economy

Theatre's Purposes

• Theatre aims to entertain, educate, make art, provide commentary, and create discussion
• Theatre offers escapism for both actors and audience members, particularly through musicals, comedies, and classics

Education through Theatre

• Theatre can educate audiences about historical events or figures, as exemplified by the Hamilton video clip's use of rap, hip-hop, and R&B to teach American history
• Educational aspects are crucial to both actor and audience

Theatre as Art

• Theatre utilizes actors and designers to express artistic concepts envisioned by the director

Theatre Commentary

• Playwrights use theatre to critique societal problems and bring attention to particular issues
• Theatre's unique ability to create discussion and provoke thought about contemporary issues is evident

Arts in the Armed Forces (AITAF)

• AITAF provides free performances for military communities, facilitating connections between military and civilian members
• A non-profit group, AITAF, is dedicated to serving the military and veterans

Film vs. Theatre

• Both film and theatre have similarities in story telling and direction, but differences in experience
• Film allows for pauses and the director to manipulate the pace while theatre is live
• Audience experiences subtle movements, but film offers choices and acting style may vary. Audiences can interpret and give meaning to the performance in the moment versus having the images being read to them in a movie

Actors on the Stage

• Famous actors on stage include Daniel Radcliffe, Jude Law, Anthony Mackie, Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Lupita Nyong'o, Bradley Cooper, Danai Gurira, Samuel L. Jackson, Sebastian Stan, Scarlett Johansson

Different actors have different numbers of theatre credits

• Theatre actors frequently transition between stage performances and film roles
• Their stage experience enhances film roles

Pop Culture & Theatre

• Many actors who starred in Marvel movies also had stage experience earlier in their careers

Theatre Audience Etiquette

• Recommendations for audience behavior during theatre performances include being on time, keeping phones silent and out of sight, no talking or texting, remaining seated, not entering or exiting the theatre when actors are on stage, or eating or drinking during the performance
• Audience etiquette is important to maintain a positive viewing experience and for respecting the actors and the work on display