Above-the-Line Budget (Creative & Key Talent)
These are costs associated with the core creative team and major talent.
| Category | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Writer/Creator | $5,000–$10,000 |
| Director | $7,000–$15,000 |
| Principal Cast (7 actors) | $25,000–$50,000 |
| Stage Manager | $3,000–$6,000 |
| Choreographer (if applicable) | $3,000–$7,000 |
| Composer/Music Rights (if applicable) | $2,000–$8,000 |
| Producers (fees, overhead) | $10,000–$20,000 |
| Publicity & Marketing Lead | $4,000–$8,000 |
Above-the-Line Total: $59,000–$124,000
Below-the-Line Budget (Technical & Production Costs)
These include all expenses related to the actual execution of the play.
Production Design & Technical
| Category | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Set Construction (two-level set, spiral staircase) | $20,000–$40,000 |
| Props & Dressing | $3,000–$6,000 |
| Costumes & Wigs (drag queens need high-quality outfits!) | $10,000–$20,000 |
| Lighting Design & Equipment | $8,000–$15,000 |
| Sound Design & Equipment | $5,000–$10,000 |
| Projection/Multimedia (if needed) | $2,000–$5,000 |
| Makeup & Styling (especially for drag looks) | $4,000–$8,000 |
Crew & Operations
| Category | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Technical Director | $5,000–$8,000 |
| Lighting & Sound Techs (2–3 crew) | $6,000–$12,000 |
| Stagehands (3–5 crew) | $6,000–$12,000 |
| Wardrobe & Hair Crew | $5,000–$10,000 |
| Rehearsal Space Rental | $3,000–$6,000 |
| Venue Rental & Insurance | $10,000–$30,000 |
| Marketing & Promotion | $8,000–$15,000 |
| Contingency Fund (10%) | $10,000–$20,000 |
Below-the-Line Total: $105,000–$222,000
Total Estimated Budget
💰 $164,000–$346,000
(Based on scale, union status, and venue)
Revenue Streams
🎟 Ticket Sales (Primary Revenue Source)
Ticket revenue will depend on venue size, ticket prices, and the number of performances.
| Ticket Type | Price (Estimate) | Seats per Show | # of Shows | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Admission | $35 | 250 | 15 | $131,250 |
| VIP (Includes Meet & Greet) | $75 | 50 | 15 | $56,250 |
| Discounted (Seniors/Students) | $20 | 100 | 15 | $30,000 |
💰 Estimated Ticket Revenue: $217,500 (Before expenses)
🎭 Sponsorship & Partnerships
Potential sponsors could include:
- LGBTQ+ organizations (GLAAD, The Trevor Project, local LGBTQ+ centers)
- Corporate sponsors (Absolut, MAC Cosmetics, RuPaul’s Drag Race, HBO, Netflix, etc.)
- Local businesses (bars, bookstores, theaters, queer-owned businesses)
- Fashion & Beauty Brands (Sephora, Fenty Beauty, designer labels for drag costuming sponsorships)
💰 Estimated Sponsorships: $20,000–$50,000
💸 Grants & Arts Funding
Many arts organizations fund productions that highlight LGBTQ+ themes, such as:
- National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
- Queer-focused arts grants (e.g., Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice, MAP Fund, Puffin Foundation, etc.)
- State/City Arts Councils
💰 Estimated Grants: $10,000–$40,000
🏳️🌈 Fundraising & Crowdfunding
- Kickstarter/GoFundMe/IndieGoGo with rewards like signed scripts, drag performances, or VIP show access
- Benefit Drag Show at a local club, featuring the cast
- Private Donor Events with cocktails, live performances, and exclusive behind-the-scenes access
💰 Estimated Crowdfunding & Fundraisers: $10,000–$25,000
Total Potential Revenue & Funding
| Source | Estimated Revenue |
|---|---|
| Ticket Sales | $217,500 |
| Sponsorships | $20,000–$50,000 |
| Grants | $10,000–$40,000 |
| Crowdfunding & Events | $10,000–$25,000 |
💰 Total Estimated Revenue: $257,500–$332,500
📅 Cash Flow Timeline
This timeline outlines when funds are needed and when revenue starts coming in.
Pre-Production (6–9 months before opening)
💰 Expenses:
- Securing venue deposit: $5,000–$15,000
- Hiring creative team (director, writer, stage manager): $15,000–$30,000
- Initial set design, costumes, props: $10,000–$20,000
- Early marketing & promotions (posters, teaser campaign): $5,000–$10,000
💰 Funding Sources:
- Grants (apply early for arts funding)
- Crowdfunding/Kickstarter launch
- Private donor fundraising events
➡️ Cash needed: $35,000–$75,000
Rehearsals & Set Construction (3–6 months before opening)
💰 Expenses:
- Finalizing set build (two-level set, spiral staircase): $15,000–$30,000
- Costuming & wigs (high-quality drag looks!): $10,000–$20,000
- Rehearsal space rental: $3,000–$6,000
- Marketing ramp-up (digital ads, PR, interviews): $8,000–$15,000
💰 Funding Sources:
- Sponsorships from LGBTQ+ brands and corporate donors
- Fundraising benefit event (drag show, VIP previews)
➡️ Cash needed: $36,000–$71,000
Final Production Phase (1–2 months before opening)
💰 Expenses:
- Full tech rehearsals & lighting/sound costs: $10,000–$20,000
- Cast & crew final payments: $20,000–$40,000
- Opening night PR & press event: $5,000–$10,000
- Venue final rental & insurance: $10,000–$30,000
💰 Funding Sources:
- Ticket presales (VIP early access packages)
- Last-minute grants & additional sponsorships
➡️ Cash needed: $45,000–$100,000
💰 Break-Even Analysis
Total Estimated Budget
- Low-end budget: $164,000
- High-end budget: $346,000
Revenue Needed to Break Even
| Revenue Source | Conservative Estimate | High-End Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Ticket Sales | $217,500 | $250,000 |
| Sponsorships | $20,000 | $50,000 |
| Grants | $10,000 | $40,000 |
| Crowdfunding & Events | $10,000 | $25,000 |
| Total Revenue | $257,500 | $365,000 |
✅ Break-even point is achievable with strong ticket sales, sponsorships, and fundraising efforts. If ticket sales underperform, cutting costs (e.g., venue rental duration, set expenses) may be necessary.
Key Financial Takeaways
- Early funding is crucial: Grants, crowdfunding, and sponsorships must be secured before rehearsals begin.
- Ticket sales cover most costs: If presales are strong, it will ease financial risk.
- Fundraising gap plan: If needed, additional fundraising events, merchandise sales, or program ads could help fill gaps.