Analysis
NAICS 711110 is the 2022 national industry for theater companies and dinner theaters, part of 71111 (Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters). Census lists 24 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 3,490 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 68,930 people at an average annual payroll of $39,113 per employee (8th percentile of national industries). 51% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.
Census lists 5 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 722, 7113, 711120 and 711510. Businesses that do several things are classified by their primary activity, the one that generates the most value, so check those boundaries before settling on this code.
Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include broadway theaters, burlesque companies, comedy troupes and community theaters, among 24 in all.
For example, establishments, such as nightclubs, primarily engaged in providing food and beverages for consumption on the premises and that also present live nontheatrical entertainment are classified in 722 (Food Services and Drinking Places) instead.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments grew 3% and employment rose 2%. The 2018 count used NAICS 2017, so part of a large move can come from codes being redefined rather than from businesses opening or closing.
Official definition
This industry comprises (1) companies, groups, or theaters primarily engaged in producing the following live theatrical presentations: musicals; operas; plays; and comedy, improvisational, mime, and puppet shows and (2) establishments, commonly known as dinner theaters, engaged in producing live theatrical productions and in providing food and beverages for consumption on the premises. Theater groups or companies may or may not operate their own theater or other facility for staging their shows.
Illustrative Examples:
Comedy troupes Opera companies Live theatrical productions (except dance) Theatrical stock or repertory companies Musical theater companies
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Establishments, such as nightclubs, primarily engaged in providing food and beverages for consumption on the premises and that also present live nontheatrical entertainment | 722 Food Services and Drinking Places |
| Organizing, managing, and/or promoting performing arts productions without producing their own shows | 7113 Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events |
| Companies, groups, or theaters primarily engaged in producing all types of live theatrical dance presentations | 711120 Dance Companies |
| Freelance producers and performing artists (except musicians and vocalists) primarily engaged in theatrical activities independent of a company or group | 711510 Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers |
| Musicians and vocalists | 711130 Musical Groups and Artists |
Index entries (24)
- Broadway theaters
- Burlesque companies
- Comedy troupes
- Community theaters
- Dinner theaters
- Improvisational theaters
- Mime theaters
- Musical theater companies or groups
- Musical theater productions, live
- Opera companies
- Puppet theaters
- Repertory companies, theatrical
- Road companies, theatrical
- Stock companies, theatrical
- Summer theaters
- Theater companies (except dance)
- Theater companies (except dance), amateur
- Theaters, dinner
- Theaters, live theatrical production (except dance)
- Theaters, musical
- Theatrical repertory companies
- Theatrical road companies
- Theatrical stock companies
- Vaudeville companies