It's one of the most common questions theatre fans ask: is Broadway a nonprofit? The short answer is no. Broadway as a whole is a commercial industry, and most shows are for-profit businesses. But a handful of Broadway theatres are run by nonprofit companies, and the industry is surrounded by charities that support the people who make it. Here's how it all fits together.
Most Broadway shows are commercial productions. A producer raises money from investors, often called backers or "angels," who put up the money hoping to earn it back with a profit. The show runs as long as ticket sales keep it going. A hit can pay investors back many times over, and a flop can lose everything in a few weeks.
The theatres themselves are mostly owned by commercial companies too. The Shubert Organization, the Nederlander Organization and Jujamcyn own the majority of Broadway's 41 houses and rent them to productions.
Four nonprofit theatre companies own or operate Broadway houses, six theatres in all:
Nonprofit companies don't have investors waiting for a return. Any surplus stays in the organization and goes back into its mission. These companies usually present limited runs as part of a season sold to subscribers, rather than open-ended runs. They raise a large share of their budgets from donors, foundations and government grants, and they often run education programs and develop new plays that a commercial producer might find too risky.
Nonprofit and commercial Broadway are deeply connected. Shows developed at nonprofits often transfer to commercial runs, and nonprofit seasons regularly win Tony Awards.
Yes. Tony eligibility depends on the theatre, not the producer. A show must play an eligible Broadway house with at least 500 seats. Nonprofit productions in these six theatres compete on equal terms with commercial shows. The Tonys themselves are presented by the American Theatre Wing, a nonprofit, together with The Broadway League, the industry's trade association.
Separate from the theatres, Broadway has a whole network of charitable nonprofits. Some take care of theatre workers, like the Entertainment Community Fund, founded in 1882 as The Actors Fund. Some, like Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, raise money across the industry for health and social services nationwide. Others bring new audiences into theatres, train young artists, or connect theatre fans to civic life.
We keep a running guide to Broadway charities and nonprofits, organized by what each one does.
Yes. Broadway for Democracy is a nonpartisan organization that uses the power of Broadway, its artists, stories and audiences, to inspire civic participation. We help theatre fans and theatre workers register, get informed and vote. We never tell anyone how to vote. If that mission speaks to you, you can support our work here.
No. Broadway is a commercial theatre district, and most shows are for-profit productions funded by investors. Four nonprofit companies operate six of the 41 Broadway theatres.
Roundabout's Studio 54, Stephen Sondheim Theatre and Todd Haimes Theatre; Manhattan Theatre Club's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre; Lincoln Center Theater's Vivian Beaumont; and Second Stage's Hayes Theater.
Sometimes. Commercial shows pay investors only after costs are recovered, and many productions never recoup. Nonprofit productions have no investors.
Donations to nonprofit theatre companies and registered 501(c)(3) charities generally are. Buying a ticket to a commercial show is not a donation.
