Starting a musical theatre program is no easy feat, especially if you’re only fluent in dance programs. However, oftentimes, dance and musical theatre mix. Many people who are in musical theatre programs are also talented dancers, and vice versa. So if you have talented dancers asking if you have any musical theatre programs, you don’t want to lose them. Establishing both can also help boost your business and brand. Consider these five tips on how to begin your own musical theatre program.

1. Think About Your Administration

When planning your musical theatre program, it’s important to think about your management team, the American Association of Community Theatre stated. If you already have a well-established dance program, it might be a little easier to get a musical theatre program off the ground. Simply consider if you have staff members, or even experienced dancers, who have backgrounds in musical theatre and would be willing to teach it with you.

Or, you may want to keep the two programs completely separate and bring on a second staff mainly affiliated with musical theatre program. It may be easier to organize events and programs if you have two separate staffs. However, more staff members means more money, which you might not have right off the bat. Consider your options when initially planning a musical theatre program.

2. Consider Your Finances

Before establishing a musical theatre program, it’s important to review your budget. Look into how much you’ve made for the dance program, and what savings you have that you might be able to apply to the musical theatre program. Review your financial options with an advisor or a trusted bank member.

It also may be smart to keep your earnings from the dance program and musical theatre program separate, especially if you have separate staff members for each, the AACT recommended. Sorting out your budget before investing in a musical theatre program is key, especially so you don’t immediately jump into turmoil, according to The New York Times. Many companies are willing to throw in the towel because of financial crises that could have been avoided.

3. Get To Know the Market

Look into your competitors in the area to find out when they are hosting events, shows and what prices they are charging for dance and music classes. This step is especially critical if you are unfamiliar with the musical theatre business. You want to offer competitive prices so that your program is earning the same amount of money as companies around you.

Adversely, you don’t want to offer unrealistic prices that have customers running for the hills. Do lots of research when considering starting up a musical theatre program to make sure you get off on the right, competitive foot.

4. Think About What Makes You Different

With competitors in mind, what makes you different? It’s important to stand out from the rest, the Guardian noted. Otherwise, you may not get that initial business boom you were looking for. It’s important to find your unique selling point and run with it. Use it in every way possible to make sure that your business is marketable and gets people talking. Whether you have a well-known, notable dance teacher, or you have one of the best locations in town, make sure you have a few outstanding factors that cause customers to want to try you out.

5. Build Your Brand

Now that your dance program also includes a musical theatre program, it’s time to rebrand. Think about what that constitutes. Do you plan to change the name of the business or keep it? What about the logo and the website? If you are putting both programs under one business, but they are at two different locations, it’s important you create business cards and labels noting both. You don’t want to confuse new customers when they eagerly arrive for their first lesson.