Develop a mission statement for the theater company. Select either a nonprofit status or for-profit status depending on whether the purpose is to generate a profit for the organization's members, the primary ways the organization will generate revenue, and how the community will be served. Write a sample "About Us" page to lay the foundation for understanding the organization. Review what established theaters have written. An example is the Glendale Center Theater in Glendale, California, the longest running theater of its kind in the United States.
Select a location. Write a budget for all necessary parts such as stage flats, seating and plywood, and speak with a carpenter about labor costs for overseeing each production or preparing the theater.
Log on to actorsequity.org, click on the document library, and read through pertinent information related to performers, stage managers, producers, and issues like worker's compensation. Join appropriate associations.
Determine the length of a theatrical season and the productions to stage. Interview for the position of creative director or artistic director to oversee the development of each performance. Schedule auditions, then post regionally and nationally on sites like Backstage.com for both New York and Los Angeles, state theater associations, and at local colleges and universities. Contract with local landlords, if possible, to provide rental discounts for talent and crew.
Market the theater through local restaurants, leading independent bookstores and business associations. Offer season ticket discounts to local chambers of commerce and business networking associations.
Design a professional website, then upload rehearsal clips, actor interviews and director interviews. Create an e-commerce functionality on the site to allow theater-goers to purchase tickets. Provide a mailing list functionality to offer restaurant coupons, dry cleaning and other services to co-market local businesses.
Send news releases to local media including bloggers, business leaders and local City Council members who represent the district. Promote the event as an effort to create arts-related jobs and provide for a higher quality of life in the community.