In Quebec, youth theatre faces an ironic reality: the more performances a company gives, the more money it loses. Joachim Tanguay, president of Théâtres unis enfance jeunesse (TUEJ), points out that this has always been the case, but the pandemic has exposed the issue. “A blockbuster success in youth theatre means a financial disaster,” he explains.
Even though performers’ fees remained stable at $220 per show from 2007 to 2020 before dropping to $210 in 2022-2023, both companies and venues continue to suffer financial losses. Presenters lose between $471 and $1864 per performance, while theatre companies, instead of making money, spend an average of $134 per show.
An Investment in Future Cultural Audiences
A 2022 study by Daigle Saire shows a strong link between childhood exposure to theatre and adult cultural participation. Investing in youth theatre means fostering future audiences. However, the current business model pits artistic success against financial viability, a concern previously raised by André Leclerc in 2021.
How Can the Crisis Be Resolved?
To address this financial deadlock, a new study commissioned by TUEJ and presented at RIDEAU suggests several solutions:
- Increasing ticket prices from $10 to a potential $16.
- Raising artist fees per performance.
- Expanding financial aid for presenters and producers.
- Boosting budgets for school cultural outings.
Tanguay highlights that smaller audience sizes—necessary for young children’s engagement—make profitability difficult. He calls for better coordination between the government, cultural institutions, and schools to ensure sustainable funding for youth theatre.
Despite these challenges, Tanguay remains hopeful. He views the diversity of theatre companies as a sign of cultural health. However, he fears that budget cuts will impact “bold” performances first, endangering an essential part of Quebec’s theatre landscape.
