 In German-speaking countries, most opera companies function in a similar way, too.  Canada North America's largest classical repertory theatre company is the Stratford Festival, founded in 1953 primarily to present productions of William Shakespeare's plays, and North America's second largest repertory theatre company, the Shaw Festival, which presents plays written or set during the lifetime of Bernard Shaw or following Shaw's ideal of socially provocative theatre, founded in 1962.  Among the benefits of such a system are increased variety and better quality, due to fresh actors and shopped-in directors. The theatre can afford to take risks, and a show that is likely to attract a large audience will effectively subsidize a show that is less likely, especially if season tickets are sold.  Drawbacks to the repertoire system are increased production costs as each show will need separate sets, props, costumes and actors (although sometimes an actor will be engaged to play in more than one production). Many such companies are large and are able to have a smaller space available to workshop an experimental production or present play readings; but the standard should be higher than under the old-time repertory system because of more time for rehearsal. Also, many repertoire companies today have non-profit status, so that budgets and income should be higher because they will not just depend upon ticket sales. However, the downside is that promotional costs will also be much higher, due to having to employ a separate staff.
Rotation Repertory system is still the most commonly used business model of live theatre in Eastern and Central Europe, specifically in countries such as Austria, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Slovakia and Czech Republic. In German-speaking countries, most opera companies function in a similar way, too. In Germany, Schaubuhne and some other theatres run on a repertory system. Canada North America's largest classical repertory theatre company is the Stratford Festival, founded in 1953 primarily to present productions of William Shakespeare's plays, and North America's second largest repertory theatre company, the Shaw Festival, which presents plays written or set during the lifetime of Bernard Shaw or following Shaw's ideal of socially provocative theatre, founded in 1962. However, Canadian repertory companies don't actually follow a true rep several years long rotation repertory system like Europe. In Canada, the productions stay on the repertory for one season, running in repertory with other productions in the same year. The actors are not employed full time long term, but instead work on contracts usually maximum 8 months long. Among the benefits of such a system are increased variety and better quality, due to fresh actors and shopped-in directors. The theatre can afford to take risks, and a show that is likely to attract a large audience will effectively subsidize a show that is less likely, especially if season tickets are sold. Another benefit is a significantly better social security for the artists employed. In countries with long term or so called true rep system artists earn higher incomes and enjoy more social security such as pensions, health benefits and long term work security. The production costs of these companies are actually lower because the productions stay on the repertory longer and some set and costume elements can be recycled in other productions. Many such companies are large and are able to have a smaller space available to workshop an experimental production or present play readings; but the standard should be higher than under the old-time repertory system because of more time for rehearsal. Also, many repertoire companies today have non-profit status, so that budgets and income should be higher because they will not just depend upon ticket sales. However, the downside is that promotional costs will also be much higher, due to having to employ a separate staff.
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Rotation Repertory system is still the most commonly used business model of live theatre in Eastern and Central Europe, specifically in countries such as Austria, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Slovakia and Czech Republic.
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In Germany, Schaubuhne and some other theatres run on a repertory system.
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However, Canadian repertory companies don't actually follow a true rep several years long rotation repertory system like Europe. In Canada, the productions stay on the repertory for one season, running in repertory with other productions in the same year. The actors are not employed full time long term, but instead work on contracts usually maximum 8 months long.
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Another benefit is a significantly better social security for the artists employed. In countries with long term or so called true rep system artists earn higher incomes and enjoy more social security such as pensions, health benefits and long term work security.
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Drawbacks to the repertoire system are increased production costs as each show will need separate sets, props, costumes and actors (although sometimes an actor will be engaged to play in more than one production).
The production costs of these companies are actually lower because the productions stay on the repertory longer and some set and costume elements can be recycled in other productions.