Barrington Stage Company, Double Edge Theatre Shakespeare & Company, and WAM Theatre Receive Awards
BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey today announced $7 million in in Live Theater Tax Credits for 23 productions across Massachusetts, supporting local jobs, theaters and businesses while attracting visitors to communities across the state.
The awards will support productions ranging from longtime favorites like The Nutcracker, Les Misérables and A Christmas Carol to new and nationally recognized productions including Black Swan, Paranormal Activity, To Kill a Mockingbird and William Tell.
“Massachusetts has incredible theaters, talented artists and communities that know how to put on a great show,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These investments help bring more productions to our state, support good jobs and local businesses, and give residents and visitors even more reasons to spend time in communities across Massachusetts. We want Massachusetts to be a place where artists and producers want to create and audiences want to come experience it.”
“Live theater brings people together and brings real economic activity into our communities,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “When people come to see a show, they’re also eating at local restaurants, staying in hotels and supporting nearby businesses. These awards will help our theaters compete for exciting productions while supporting jobs and economic growth across Massachusetts.”
Established through Governor Healey’s Mass Leads Act, the Live Theater Tax Credit Pilot Program helps Massachusetts compete for regional productions, pre-Broadway and pre-Off-Broadway runs, national tour launches and other live performances. The program is administered by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT), in partnership with the Massachusetts Office of Business Development (MOBD) and the Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR).
Eligible theater companies may receive non-refundable tax credits equal to 35 percent of qualifying payroll costs, 25 percent of production and performance expenditures and 25 percent of transportation expenditures. Credits may be transferred or carried forward for up to five years.
“The creative economy is one of Massachusetts’ defining strengths, and live theater is an important part of that story,” said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley. “When productions choose Massachusetts, they create jobs, support local businesses, attract visitors, and invest in communities across the Commonwealth. This program strengthens our ability to compete for major productions and remain one of the best places in the country to create, produce and experience world-class performances.”
“Travel today is increasingly driven by experiences, and few experiences are as memorable as live performance,” said Kate Fox, Executive Director at the Office of Travel and Tourism. “From internationally recognized productions to hometown stages, Massachusetts offers an incredible theater landscape that inspires visitors to stay longer, explore our communities, and return throughout the year. This investment strengthens both our theaters and our reputation as one of the nation’s premier cultural destinations.”
FY2027 Live Theater Tax Credit Award Recipients
| Company | Production | Award |
|---|---|---|
| American Repertory Theatre Inc. | Black Swan | $541,324 |
| Arlekin Players Theatre | Delirium | $107,063 |
| Ballet Theatre of Boston Inc. | The Nutcracker | $129,175 |
| Barrington Stage Company Inc. | A Chorus Line | $228,958 |
| Boston Ballet Inc. | The Nutcracker | $2,147,453 |
| Boston Lyric Opera Company Inc. | William Tell | $588,194 |
| Cape Cod Center for the Arts Inc. | Hairspray | $299,990 |
| Central Square Theater | Arcadia | $111,068 |
| Double Edge Theatre Productions Inc. | Once A Blue Moon – Cada Luna Azul | $68,143 |
| Entertainment Live Events LLC | Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat | $308,863 |
| Front Porch Arts Collective | The Wash | $86,912 |
| Greater Boston Stage Company | Annie | $86,932 |
| Huntington Theatre Company | To Kill a Mockingbird | $479,006 |
| Lyric Stage Company of Boston Inc. | Les Misérables | $191,723 |
| Merrimack Repertory Theatre | Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde | $93,310 |
| New Bedford Festival Theatre Inc. | Disney’s Frozen | $51,103 |
| Paranormal Broadway LLC | Paranormal Activity | $583,036 |
| Revels Inc. | Midwinter Revels 2026: Crossroads – An American Celebration of the Solstice | $254,473 |
| Shakespeare & Company Inc. | Twelfth Night | $129,445 |
| SpeakEasy Stage Company Inc. | Covenant | $61,300 |
| Commonwealth Shakespeare Company Inc. | Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol | $202,621 |
| WAM Theatre | Silhouettes | $99,536 |
| Worcester Center for the Performing Arts Inc. | A Christmas Carol | $150,360 |
For more information about the Massachusetts Live Theater Tax Credit Program, visit https://www.mass.gov/.