On the Austin theatre scene, most companies exceed the minimum and even optimal board size. Austin ScriptWorks had seven, but recently lost two. The State Theater Company counts about 20. Zachary Scott Theatre Center has 50. We have a book with pictures in it to help us keep track.
Mission is intangible.
That's one thing. And it's a similar question for artistic staff developing a board as well as a board member looking for staff. We're not really a theatre company that focuses on theatre, but on the Latino aspect. Mission is obviously a difficult organizing principle, and negotiating its meaning between board and artistic staff can be painful. We want to be part of the play as opposed to just decisionmakers.