LPA Ticket Attendance and Revenue Survey 2015

Photo: Lore - Bangarra Dance Theatre, Jeff Tan

Ballet and DanceClick for more info

The Ballet and Dance category experienced a significant increase in both gross revenue and attendance in 2015. Gross revenue increased by 20.4% from $52.77 million in 2014 to $63.52 million in 2015. Total attendances also increased by 11.9% over the same timeframe while the average ticket price increased by 4.4% from $80.82 to $84.36.

Strong revenue growth in this category can be attributed to the growth among AMPAG companies with revenue rising by 175% in 2015. Strong growth is directly attributable to successful national tours of The Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, The Dream, Swan Lake and 2021 which recorded strong attendance in Victoria and New South Wales.

The Northern Territory experienced a significant decline in revenue (67%) and attendance (76%), while Queensland also experienced declining revenue (39%) and attendance (34%) throughout the course of the year. The decline experienced in Queensland may be partially because the American Ballet Theatre, which performed a season of Swan Lake and Three Masterpieces in Brisbane in 2014, did not return in 2015. All other states experienced growth in both revenue and attendance except for Western Australia, with an increase in revenue (25%) yet a decline in attendance (4%), and Tasmania with a slight decline in attendance (9%) despite a significant increase in revenue (70%).

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Ballet and Dance - Revenue and Attendance (2004–2015)

Revenue ($) Growth (%) Total Attendance* Growth (%) Average Ticket Price ($)** Growth (%)
2004 $30,664,060 682,755 $50.07
2005 $44,563,085 45.3% 930,639 36.3% $52.76 5.4%
2006 $52,523,644 17.9% 1,113,849 19.7% $50.52 -4.2%
2007 $77,287,071 47.1% 1,457,306 30.8% $57.39 13.6%
2008 $47,051,946 -39.1% 934,533 -35.9% $60.67 5.7%
2009 $58,570,704 24.5% 1,050,763 12.4% $63.33 4.4%
2010 $57,509,401 -1.8% 1,023,077 -2.6% $64.86 2.4%
2011 $59,164,135 2.9% 947,846 -7.4% $71.93 10.9%
2012 $57,865,897 -2.2% 920,193 -2.9% $77.93 8.3%
2013 $62,832,992 8.6% 976,336 6.1% $74.69 -4.2%
2014 $52,771,905 -16.0% 767,890 -21.3% $80.82 8.2%
2015 $63,522,318 20.4% 859,095 11.9% $84.36 4.4%

*Based on both paid and unpaid tickets

** Average Ticket Prices are calculated based only on paid tickets

State/Territory Breakdown Close Table

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Ballet and Dance - Revenue by State/Territory (2015)

State/Territory Revenue ($) Proportion Industry Share Change From 2015) Attendance Proportion Industry Share Change From 2015)
NSW $24,451,546 38.5% 4.6% 288,743 33.6% 6.0%
VIC $21,351,100 33.6% 3.2% 279,548 32.5% 4.4%
QLD $6,280,513 9.9% -9.6% 120,103 14.0% -9.6%
WA $6,414,087 10.1% 0.4% 98,377 11.5% -1.9%
SA $2,699,323 4.2% 0.0% 37,821 4.4% 0.3%
ACT $1,995,245 3.1% 1.6% 30,059 3.5% 1.5%
TAS $244,465 0.4% 0.1% 2,587 0.3% -0.1%
NT $86,040 0.1% -0.4% 1,857 0.2% -0.8%

Photo: The Sleeping Beauty - The Australian Ballet, Daniel Boud

Supplementary Data

There were 479 performances in the Ballet and Dance category in 2015, which drew attendance of 103,102 and generated revenue of $3.79 million. The average attendance per performance (215) was above the industry average (202) while the average revenue per performance ($7,917) was above the industry average ($5,636).

In terms of revenue, the largest regional and metropolitan venues included the Civic Theatre (NSW), Illawarra Performing Arts Centre (NSW) and Frankston Arts Centre (VIC). Australia Council Key Organisations generated 10% of total revenue for this category, including productions by companies such as Expressions Dance Company.

Note: This data is supplementary to the 2015 primary ticketing survey data.

Photo: The Sleeping Beauty - The Australian Ballet, Daniel Boud

Individual Category Results