Khudruk told about the transition of “Pokrovka.Theater” to self-sufficiency
In an interview with Radio RBC, Bikbayev told how the theater rebuilt its repertoire and visual space to increase revenues from performances. “We are already striving to reach self-sufficiency,” he said
Pokrovka.Theatre revised the repertoire and modernized the auditorium to make productions cost-effective and reach self-sufficiency. Artistic Director of the theater Dmitry Bikbayev said in an interview with Radio RBC.
In the past, few people spoke about the feasibility of the economic activity of theaters, because it was believed that our culture was subsidized and, in fact, you can always ask – and the state will always help and support. Now the connotation has fundamentally changed, now we are already striving to reach self-sufficiency, Bikbayev said.
According to him, when he came to the theater, no performance brought profit at the box office. Among the reasons he cited the large number of artists involved and low ticket prices. To change the situation, the theater had to revise the repertoire and economics of productions.
“It was necessary to quickly change the product line in order to change the cost, in order to make rental plus, not minus,” explained the art director.
Bikbayev noted that the theater cannot constantly apply to the founder for additional funding. At the same time, individual performances can be unprofitable if the theater has other sources to cover the costs.
In addition to the repertoire, the theater changed the organization of the visual space. According to Bikbayev, he decided to abandon the stationary stall and make the stage transformable to increase the capacity of the hall. As a result, the play Anna Karenina now has 130 seats instead of the previous 87.
Bikbayev added that the changes were aimed not only at increasing revenues from ticket sales, but also at creating an unusual space that would attract viewers. The decision to modernize the theater was made taking into account the long-term strategy of its development.
On the eve of the program "Tamantsev". As a result, the director of the Moscow Academic Music Theatre (MAMT) Andrei Borisov said on Radio RBC that theaters cannot operate exclusively as commercial enterprises, since, in addition to generating income, they perform social and educational functions.
He noted that theaters need state support for this: “Theatre is part of the state.” We're not a private office.”.
According to him, the optimal model of financing theaters assumes a ratio of 30% of own revenues and 70% of public funds.
