Theatre Facts

Each year, TCG conducts a thorough fiscal survey in which many of our member theatres participate.  The data gathered in the Fiscal Survey becomes the basis for Theatre Facts, TCG’s annual in-depth industry report. Available to all member theatres, as well as the general public, Theatre Facts is the only document analyzing the national not-for-profit theatre field and is a vital advocacy and policy tool for trustees, foundation and corporate executives, policy makers and the national press.

Theatre Facts 2009

Theatre Facts 2009 provides three lenses through which to view the not-for-profit theatre field’s attendance, performance and fiscal health. The report shows that, for most theatres, the economy’s effect on their bottom lines has been dramatic.  While a majority of theatres operated in the black from 2005 to 2007, more than half had a negative bottom line in 2008 and 2009 and an increasing percentage of theatres experienced shortfalls greater than 20% of operating expenses over the last two years. Working capital (which consists of the unrestricted resources available to the theatre to meet obligations and day-to-day cash needs) was negative in each of the last five years; it improved from 2005 to 2008 then dropped precipitously in 2009. In spite of these challenges, theatres remained committed to their missions and made significant contributions to the welfare of theatre professionals, their communities and the U.S. economy. 

Read the Theatre Facts 2009 press release (PDF).

Download Theatre Facts 2009 (PDF). Please note that this is a large file, best opened with Adobe Reader versions 4.0 and higher.

Nine past issues are available online:

Previous editions of Theatre Facts are available by mail. For more information, please email Ilana Rose.

Narrative Versions

A narrative version of Theatre Facts is published annually in American Theatre magazine. This article provides case studies and anecdotes from prominent managing leaders in the field.

"Theatre Facts 2008: Agility Under Pressure." (pdf)

It's impossible not to look for harbingers of economic crises to come in the Theatre Facts 2008, TCG's annual analysis of the fiscal state of the American not-for-profit theatre. This full article (pdf) was featured in the November issue of American Theatre.  

"Theatre Facts 2007: The Readiness is All."

Anticipating Hard Times, The Field is Buttressed by Strong Numbers. Celia Wren examines the upbeat news in Theatre Facts 2007 in relation to the gloomy economic developments of recent months. The full article is featured in the November issue of American Theatre.  

"Watching the Fiscal Weather: A Digest of Theatre Facts 2006."

Celia Wren's report from the field shows that "the forecast is neither foul nor fair—and theatres are planning accordingly." Drawing on the findings of Theatre Facts 2006, the full article is featured in the November issue of American Theatre.  

"At the Intersection of Optimism and Uncertainty: A Digest of Theatre Facts 2005."

Is the glass half full or half empty? Featured in the November issue of American Theatre and based on the findings of Theatre Facts 2005, Celia Wren's article explores both the continued recovery of the nation's not-for-profit theatres and the worrisome omens that recovery harbors.

"Through the Looking-Glass: A Digest of Theatre Facts 2004."

As-yet-untried strategies may be the key to maintaining artistic gains—even in the face of cutbacks and audience uncertainty. Ben Pesner's article, based on the findings of Theatre Facts 2004, is featured in the November 2005 issue of the re-designed American Theatre.

"Singing in the Rain: A Digest of 'Theatre Facts 2003."

It certainly wasn't the best of times; but then, it wasn't the worst of times either. That's the impression one might get when sifting through tables and charts in Theatre Facts 2003, the latest installment in TCG's annual survey of the financial health of the national not-for-profit theatre field. Published in the November 2004 issue.

"Eyeing the Horizon: A Digest of Theatre Facts 2002"

While Theatre Facts 2002 covers the effects of the immediate aftermath of 9/11 and the economic recession, there was some good news. According to the article, "The data about the 1,146 Universe Theatres is particularly impressive: Collectively, these theatres sold an estimated 32.2 million tickets to 157,000 performances of 10,000 productions. Theatre Facts estimates that these institutions, which employ 109,000 individuals, generated $1.4 billion in direct expenditure to the U.S. economy in 2002. No small potatoes." By Ben Pesner. Originally published in the November 2003 issue.

"Theatre Facts 2001: Shifting Currents"

TCG's Theatre Facts 2001 tracks the field's course through a troubled year of economic downturns. Survey is pre-9/11. By Stephen Nunns. Originally published in the September 2002 issue.

"Theatre Facts 2000: Millennium Approaches"

TCG's Theatre Facts 2000 looks at the field in the final year of the 20th century. By Linda Geeson. Originally published in the September 2001 issue.