Reference Page · Updated September 25, 2026
Audience participation, arts learning, economic impact, and employment figures for theatre, comedy, improv, and live performance, gathered from primary public sources.
At a Glance
Live performance is hard to reduce to a spreadsheet. Still, reliable public data helps show who is attending, creating, learning, and working in the arts. This page collects the most useful current U.S. figures in one place, with a source and date beside every claim.
There is no single national survey question for improv attendance. Where the available data includes comedy or improv within a broader category, that limitation is stated plainly.
48%
That represents 122 million adults, according to the National Endowment for the Arts survey conducted with the U.S. Census Bureau.
Source: National Endowment for the Arts, Survey of Public Participation in the Arts, 202221%
The NEA says this category may include comedy and improv, alongside genres not asked about separately in the survey. It rose from 15% in 2017.
Source: National Endowment for the Arts, Survey of Public Participation in the Arts, 202250%
This finding comes from the General Social Survey arts module. It uses a different survey instrument than the Census Bureau study above.
Source: National Endowment for the Arts, General Social Survey arts module, 202283%
The General Social Survey counted livestreamed and web-archived events alongside in-person attendance.
Source: National Endowment for the Arts, General Social Survey arts module, 202252%
The NEA estimates this as 129 million adults. The measure includes activities such as acting, singing, playing instruments, creative writing, and visual art-making.
Source: National Endowment for the Arts, Survey of Public Participation in the Arts, 202229%
In the same survey, 11.8% took classes or lessons in any arts subject. The survey reported 0.8% taking acting or theatre classes or lessons.
Source: National Endowment for the Arts, Survey of Public Participation in the Arts, 2022$1.17T
The Bureau of Economic Analysis estimates this at 4.2% of U.S. gross domestic product.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Arts and Culture data, 2023$265.8B
The Bureau of Economic Analysis includes performing arts, museums, design services, fine arts education, and education services in its core industries. Performing arts grew 3.5% in inflation-adjusted terms that year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Arts and Culture data, 20235.4M
National arts and cultural employment increased 0.3% from the year before, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Arts and Culture data, 20236,300
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects little overall employment change for actors, with most openings expected from replacement needs.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, updated August 2026$29.05
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a $25.53 median hourly wage for actors employed by theatre companies and dinner theatres. Wages vary widely by assignment and employment setting.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, updated August 202623%
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 67,500 actor jobs in 2025. Theatre companies and dinner theatres accounted for 10% of those jobs, showing how often performing work spans independent and venue-based paths.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, updated August 2026Methodology and Sources
All figures on this page come from named government sources. The National Endowment for the Arts data describes participation in 2022. The Bureau of Economic Analysis data describes economic activity and employment in 2023. The Bureau of Labor Statistics employment and wage data was updated in August 2026, with wage figures for May 2025 and projections covering 2025 to 2035.
The National Endowment for the Arts published two relevant 2022 surveys: its Survey of Public Participation in the Arts, administered with the U.S. Census Bureau, and the General Social Survey arts module. They use different questions and methods, so their results should not be treated as interchangeable.
Cite This Page
Stage Left Studio. “U.S. Performing Arts Statistics.” Updated September 25, 2026. https://stageleftstudio.net/theatre-statistics
When quoting an individual number, link directly to its numbered section above and include the original source named with the statistic.
Stage Left Studio
Stage Left offers beginner-friendly adult improv in Santa Rosa and Petaluma, along with stand-up coaching and original live events.