This just came in across the wire. This is VERY VERY interesting. Read the study!

The New York Innovative Theatre Foundation, a not-for-profit organization supporting the Off-Off-Broadway community, released the findings of their statistical analysis of Off-Off Broadway’s budgets today. Questions for the survey focused exclusively on production budgets. The results prove that the OOB community is actively producing high-quality productions at affordable prices with paid actors and production value. The survey is the first in a series that will help raise awareness of the contributions of the OOB community.

Some of the highlights of what the Foundation learned are:

* 67% of the community is spending between 1k-20k on their productions

* Over half of the community is paying their actors

* THE COMMUNITY SPENDS OVER 31 MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR ON PRODUCTIONS!

“I found some the results to be very surprising,” said Shay Gines, co-founder of the IT Awards. “It is important for our community to have this kind of baseline statistical information. Whether a company is trying to get a good deal on a space rental or trying to obtain sponsorship from a local restaurant, knowing the standards within our community will prove to be very helpful.”

The document can be viewed online by going to www.nyitawards.com/survey.

The New York Innovative Theatre Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that brings recognition to the great work being done in New York City’s Off-Off-Broadway, honors its artistic heritage, and provides a meeting ground for this extensive and richly varied community. The organization advocates for Off-Off-Broadway and recognizes the unique and essential role it plays in contributing to American and global culture. We believe that publicly recognizing excellence in Off-Off-Broadway will expand audience awareness and fosters greater appreciation of the full New York theatre experience.