Organisational Structures in Producing and Presenting Theatres
May 2026
How are producing and presenting theatres structuring their leadership and departments to ensure both financial sustainability and a strong artistic vision?
This question, posed by an ABA member, led to a two-part study — combining desk research and in-depth interviews with six organisations — to map leadership structures, departmental scope, roles and team sizes, as well as high-level financial metrics and commercial activity.
Main findings include:
Organisational structures are highly dynamic: In presenting and producing theatres, structures continually evolve in response to staff turnover, strategic shifts, and changing priorities — and what works for one theatre today may not work tomorrow, or for others.
Most organisations operate with a multi-leadership model: Typically comprising an Artistic Director and an Executive Director, with the former overseeing programming and production and the latter leading organisational, operational, and financial management — though in practice they work closely and often share responsibilities.
Departments are not as siloed as in other genres: Although organisations may appear siloed on paper, many operate through overlapping responsibilities and shared accountabilities, with delivery depending heavily on coordination across departments and individuals.
People shape structure over time: In several organisations, structures have developed around long-standing staff members — supporting continuity and institutional knowledge, but also creating skill gaps, particularly among mid-range managers.
Funding context shapes structure: Most theatres receive varying levels of public funding, which has — to a greater or lesser extent — shaped organisational structures, including the creation of departments and reporting systems designed to evidence activity in ways aligned with funder priorities.
The full report is available to ABA members by clicking below.
This article is related to a recently completed custom research project conducted on behalf of an ABA member. Our research team is always delighted to speak with members about tailoring research projects to your organization. To learn more or submit a custom research request, simply contact your member advisor or email us at info@advisoryarts.com.
