Contracts in Theater: Their Importance and How to Structure Them

Abstract

In 2017, over 40.2 million Americans attended a musical theater performance and 22.9 million attended a non-musical play (NEA). On top of this, according to the National Endowment for the Arts, approximately 146 thousand people worked for not - for - profit professional theaters in some capacity in the United States in 2016. Theater is a significant form of art that entertains, educates, and inspires society but requires diverse knowledge and expert maneuvering behind the scenes for impact. While marketing, fundraising, and finance are more clearly understood as relevant to sustaining theater, knowledge of arts law and practice are equally important in producing and managing theatrical events. To successfully engage artistic personnel and staff, employment contracts must be agreed upon between performers and theater managers or directors. This case study aims to inform current and future theater managers as well as aspiring actors of the contract law necessary for generating and utilizing personnel contracts that maximize efficiency and ensure productive and ongoing relationships.