New Bedford Festival Theatre Lands Tax Credit for 'Frozen'

New Bedford Festival Theatre has received a Massachusetts Live Theater Tax Credit for its upcoming production of Disney's Frozen, which will be staged at New Bedford's historic and recently renovated Zeiterion Theater in July 2027.

Building on Success: A Repeat Win for NBFT

It's the second consecutive year that NBFT has been selected to receive the tax credit, having secured one to help fund this year's production of Jimmy Buffett's Escape to Margaritaville – which, by the way, was a blast.

"An enormous amount of work goes into just applying for this award," New Bedford Festival Theatre Producing Artistic Director Elizabeth Bettencourt said. "We are incredibly thrilled and honored to be two-time recipients."

New Bedford Festival Theater Wins Massachusetts Live Theater Tax Credit For 2027's Frozen — Zeiterion New Bedford via Facebook

What the Massachusetts Live Theater Tax Credit Means for Local Arts

The Massachusetts Office of Economic Development recently announced $7 million in Live Theater Tax Credits for 23 productions across Massachusetts, "supporting local jobs, theaters and businesses, while attracting visitors to communities across the state."

"We don't find out the official amount we are receiving until after the production has happened, as the funds are given out based on percentage of production and payroll costs," Bettencourt said. The EOED said the NBFT tax credit will exceed $50,000.

"It promises to be incredibly helpful both financially and symbolically," Bettencourt said. "Receiving this award placed NBFT among some amazing company alongside other regional theater companies in the state."

Staging Disney's Frozen at the Z costs over $250,000. "We could use all the help we could get!" Bettencourt said.

According to the EOED, "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."

The Massachusetts Live Theater Tax Credit Pilot Program, established through the Mass Leads Act, "helps Massachusetts compete for regional productions, pre-Broadway, and pre-Off-Broadway runs, national tour launches, and other live performances," according to the EOED.

Bringing Arendelle to Arendelle-on-the-Acushnet: Big Plans for the Zeiterion Stage

Bettencourt said knowing NBFT can count on the tax credit allows the theater to "make some exciting decisions about the production, like being able to rent amazing Olaf and Sven puppets that are going to have everyone in the audience smiling from ear to ear."

Bettencourt said NBFT's production of Disney's Frozen will combine "state-of-the-art set, costume, lighting, and sound design to literally create magic on stage."

I can't wait until July.

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