The Condition and Needs of the Live Professional Theatre in America. Phase I Report: Data Collection and Analysis.

This report describes the first phase of a two-phase study of the condition and needs of the live professional theatre in America since the mid-1960s. Data contained in the report were collected and analyzed on the following aspects of the theatre: finances, productions, performances, facilities, labor force, and employment. The first chapter provides an overview of the study. The examination of theatre activity in chapter II shows interdependence between the activities of the profit and nonprofit sectors. Theatre finances are detailed in the third chapter and reveal a cost-revenue squeeze. An investigation of theatre audiences and the attitudes of Americans toward the theatre arts in the fourth chapter shows that approximately 20 million Americans attended at least one live professional theatre performance during the 1976-77 season, and that the individuals' propensities to attend performances depends strongly upon the experience of having done so and the opportunity to do so. The fifth chapter examines some data that describe the people who are employed or seek employment in the theatre and shows that the jobs performed by these people encompass a wide variety of tasks. The final chapter examines some of the innovations taking place in theatre operations that are contributing to financial stability, with particular attention to ticket sales, technological advances, and management and financial considerations. (HOD)