Choosing a Theatre Company Name
In general, your theatre company name should be short, intense like your product, and match your niche’s personality type. To stand out, a theatre company name should be unique, distinctive, versatile, timeless, and easy to understand and remember. It should reflect your brand and the type of theatre you produce. Consider using puns, alliteration or unique word combinations. Getting others’ opinions can also help generate ideas. "Action Theatre" and "Big Lion Theatre Works" are examples of good movie theatre names that show the entertainment and fun people can expect.
Setting Up a Theatre Company
For many Theatremakers, a big career goal may be to have your own theatre company. While this might feel like a distant dream, it doesn’t have to be. Once you’ve set up your theatre company, how do you spread the word and encourage audiences to your shows? Courtney Glymph and Chris O’Gorman from YourStoryPR talk through the fundamentals of marketing and PR, including strategy, branding, media platforms and messaging. Check out our blog post on theatre marketing.
Steps to set up a theatre company:
- Plan your Theatre Company
- Form your Theatre Company into a Legal Entity
- Register your Theatre Company for Taxes
- Open a Business Bank Account
- Set up Accounting
- Get Necessary Permits & Licenses
Reaching out to other theatre and creative companies about collaborations is a great opportunity to build your presence by working with the community. Avoid common business mistakes to increase your chances of success and create a thriving theatre business.
Ultimately, making theatre is navigating a slot by immersing yourself in the scene. Starting a theatre company takes talent, passion and business know-how to succeed in the industry. Consider revenue streams like ticket sales, workshops, merchandise and more.
First develop a clear mission statement outlining your theatre company’s purpose, values, audience and goals. This foundation will guide your direction and decisions as you build your company.