As an owner or operator of a theatre, entertainment company, or other performing arts establishment, having the proper coverage and risk management plan will keep the show going. Starkweather & Shepley has the knowledge and skills to insure theatres, theatre companies, not-for-profit theatre groups, the performing arts, and all aspects and sectors of the entertainment industry.
Each of our Theatre & Entertainment Insurance policies is customized to fit your unique exposures. From people, property, and productions to administration and financing, we work with you to develop unique risk protection including Dance Liability Insurance, Opera Insurance, or Performing Arts Insurance. To cover everything you do.
Coverage options can include:
- General Liability — This coverage protects you, the insured, against claims of bodily injury and property damage arising out of your operations.
- Theatrical Property — Including Lighting & Stage Equipment, Props, Sets, Wardrobe.
- Directors & Officers Liability — Protects the individual board members in the event they are personally sued.
- Business/Performance Interruption — Reimburses you for any extra expenses including loss of income and employee salaries during that reconstruction period due a covered loss until you are back on stage!
- Owned/Non-Owned/Hired Automobile Liability — Protects you against claims of bodily injury or property damage caused by owned/rented vehicles, equipment trucks, or employees’ personal cars while being used on behalf of the theater.
- Harassment, Worker’s Compensation, Crime and Employee Dishonesty, Disability Insurance & More.
- Voluntary Benefits
- HR Consulting
Solutions for:
- Performing Arts Venues (Theatre, Concerts, Dance, Orchestra)
- Theatres (Community, Broadway, Off-Broadway, Touring)
- Arenas, Convention Centers
- Musical Acts & Groups
- Cultural Organizations
- Philarmonic & Orchestra
- Ballet, Drama, Operas, & Other Performing Arts
- Production Companies
- Rental, Storage, & Theatrical Transfer
- Touring Operations
- Entertainment Management Operations
- Media Companies
- Circus & Aerial Acrobats
- Special Events (Festivals, Concerts, Trade Shows, Fashion Shows, Award Shows)
- Venues
All the World's a Stage
Meet the members of our Arts, Culture, & Entertainment Group
At Starkweather & Shepley, we pride ourselves on our experienced, knowledgeable, and dedicated team members. Whether dealing with large Broadway productions, local community theatres, and everything in between, the risk solutions specialists on our Arts, Culture & Entertainment Group have the skills and knowhow needed to make sure the seats are filled, the curtain goes up, and the show goes on.
Stefan Petrella
Senior Vice President, Practice Director
Every team needs a good leader, and for the Arts, Culture, & Entertainment Group, Stefan Petrella fills that starring role. A veteran of the entertainment industry, and a seasoned risk specialist, Stefan helps our team fulfill our clients’ needs with a friendly smile and a helping hand. “What sets our group apart is the personal passion that our team members have for the industry,” Stefan says. “I come from an entertainment background, so I can relate firsthand to the unique risks and exposures that the industry face. Each client is different, with different needs or issues that may arise. For me, I think generally in just connecting the dots. I’ve had multiple calls where I speak to Executive Directors or General Managers about changes or projects, and I always have the gears spinning, finding a way we can assist.”
David Ferriero
Vice President
To truly help your clients, you need to know what they’re dealing with on a daily basis. And not just the talking points—you need to truly understand their industry, the challenges they face, and solutions to the problems that arise every day. That’s what sets the team at Starkweather & Shepley apart. “The biggest differentiator is our understanding of the intricacies of entertainment industry,” David says. “Whether it’s a large theater with Broadway performances; a traveling ballet, drama, or performing arts group; or a small community non-profit venue run predominately by volunteers, we firmly understand that each operation is unique. We know the coverages that are absolutely required, how to appropriately pass liability to third parties through risk transfer contracts, and how to implement best in class risk management policies and procedures. The result is an individually tailored, best-in-class insurance and risk management program, provided in the most cost-effective manner possible.”
Ruth Leber
Assistant Vice President
There’s no worse feeling than finding out you forgot to check a box, mail a form, or renew some part of your insurance plan—especially after it’s too late. Luckily, at Starkweather & Shepley, we find solutions to our clients’ problems, no matter what. “I received a call from a production manager who was in a panic because their current agent could not help them with a new contract and upcoming performance” says Ruth. “The venue expanded their insurance requirements, and we were able to successfully quote and bind a policy quickly, meeting their needs and allowing for the performance to continue as planned. The client emailed me to say, ‘You literally saved our show!’ There’s no better feeling than that. (Oh, and the show was great!)” As we say at Starkweather & Shepley, the show must go on!
Aliya Ahmed
Workers Compensation Claims Consultant
The poet T.S. Elliot once said it is the journey, not the destination, that matters. At times, this is the same for business—it is not the outcome, but the effort made the achieve that outcome, that is most important. That sentiment that is not lost on Aliya Ahmed, a Workers Compensation Claims Consultant with Starkweather & Shepley’s Arts, Culture, & Entertainment Group. “There are so many problem-solving stories I could tell, but one in particular stands out as an example of why personal connections are so important,” she said. “One of my clients had a workers compensation issue that I attempted to assist with, but ultimately fell short. While I still worked behind the scenes and kept her updated, I knew there wasn’t much I could do to change the adjuster`s course of action. My client called me to thank me for making her feel heard. She explained that although my recommendations did not yield a better result, she felt like she could always trust me. She knew that her feelings and concerns were a priority, and she couldn’t ask for anything more than that.” Front behind the scenes to front-of-house, our team goes the extra mile to be there for our clients. Whatever your problem, we’ll work to find a solution.
Mike McCabe
Senior Vice President, Employee Benefits
In the theatre, they say you need to stretch yourself—step outside your comfort zone, become the character, leave it all on the stage. For actors, this might mean trying a new accent, or walking with a certain gait. For us, it means doing whatever our clients need. And recently, Michael McCabe, Senior Vice President of Employee Benefits for our Arts, Culture, and Entertainment group, gave a performance worthy of a standing ovation. “I had a client who needed a prescription filled before a vacation, which was not available at the pharmacy before they were scheduled to depart for their trip,” he says. “The carrier and I worked through the issue all weekend, and got it covered and delivered to our client before they flew out on Sunday. Everyone was happy.” Whatever our clients need, our team is ready to give the performance of a lifetime.