What Cleo Parker Robinson Dance does

Cleo Parker Robinson Dance (CPRD) is a Denver-based 501c3 nonprofit performing-arts institution founded in 1970 by Cleo Parker Robinson and incorporated as New Dance Theatre, Inc. The organization operates an integrated portfolio anchored by a 12-member professional Ensemble (CPRDE) that tours 15+ U.S. cities annually and historically across 40+ countries, a Cleo II pre-professional second company, an Academy of Dance offering classes from age 3 through pre-professional tracks (ballet, modern, jazz, West African, hip-hop, Zumba, Horton), the seven-week International Summer Dance Institute (ISDI), Arts-in-Education programs including an award-winning STREAM curriculum reaching 25,000+ students annually across 80+ schools, the Arts-in-Wellbeing pillar formalized in 2020, and a 240-seat theatre in Denver's Five Points cultural district that opened in expanded form as the Center for the Healing Arts in January 2026.

The institution's revenue model blends earned income (season subscriptions at $170 for five shows, individual performance tickets through AXS and Spektrix, Academy tuition from $20 drop-ins to $225 monthly unlimiteds, ISDI intensives priced $450-$1,550, and theatre rentals) with contributed income (individual donations, corporate sponsorships with major partners including Xcel Energy, PNC, Comcast, CoBank, Kiewit, Janus Henderson, Mortenson, and Bonfils-Stanton Foundation, recurring gifts, IRA rollovers, and a multi-year capital campaign). Distribution is hybrid — direct website sales, third-party ticketing, Mindbody academy registration, in-school Arts-in-Education delivery, and touring.

Technology is operational rather than proprietary: Mindbody, AXS/Spektrix, Stripe, Vimeo, and Google Analytics are the disclosed stack. There are no AI/ML products, no APIs, no SDKs, and no patents or trademarks. Competitive positioning rests on 55 years of cultural legacy, the National Medal of Arts (2021), the Kennedy Center Medal of Honor (2005), and a unique combination of professional performance, accredited training (via MSU Denver partnership), K-12 arts-integrated education, and health-and-wellness programming under one institution — a configuration difficult for competitors to replicate.

Name

Cleo Parker Robinson Dance

Legal name

New Dance Theatre, Inc.

Website

https://cleoparkerdance.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cleo Parker Robinson Dance is a Denver-based 501c3 performing-arts institution founded in 1970 that operates a professional dance Ensemble, a dance Academy, Arts-in-Education programs reaching 25,000+ students annually, Arts-in-Wellbeing initiatives, and a 240-seat theatre in the Five Points cultural district. It serves students, audiences, K-12 schools, and corporate sponsors with a focus on African American dance traditions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Dance Education

NAICS

Dance Companies (711120), Fine Arts Schools (61161)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Contemporary & Modern Dance (MPAGADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dance Education (Ballet, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Cultural Dance) (EDAMAAAH), Dance Festivals & Dance Series (MPAGADAJ)

Keywords

• Dance education programs
• Professional dance performances
• Arts integration curriculum
• Performing arts academy
• Community dance outreach

Headquarters

HQ city

Denver

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Performance Ticket Sales: Season subscriptions ($170 for 5 shows), individual tickets for signature ensemble performances, and special events. Tickets sold through website and AXS ticketing platform.
2. Academy Tuition: Dance classes for all ages and levels including ballet, modern, jazz, West African, hip-hop, Zumba, and Horton. Pricing includes single drop-in classes ($20), 10-class bundles ($170), and unlimited monthly packages ($200-$225). Summer intensive programs (ISDI) priced at $450-$1,550 depending on program length.
3. Donations and Contributions: Individual donations, recurring gifts, corporate sponsorships, and capital campaign contributions. Accepts one-time gifts, recurring gifts, IRA charitable rollovers, gifts of appreciated stock, and Colorado Enterprise Zone tax credit donations.
4. Theatre Rentals: 240-seat theatre and studio spaces available for rent for performances, workshops, community gatherings, and private events. Revenue generated through facility rental fees.
5. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate sponsorships, event partnerships for signature events like Dancing with the Denver Stars Gala and Juneteenth celebrations, and employee engagement workshops.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Cleo Parker Robinson Dance is a 501c3 nonprofit performing arts institution that presents professional dance performances via its Ensemble and Cleo II second company, delivers multi-genre dance instruction through its Academy of Dance for ages 3 through adult, runs Arts-In-Education programs in K-12 schools (including the award-winning STREAM curriculum), operates Arts-in-Wellbeing health programs, and rents out its 240-seat historic theatre. The Academy offers ballet, modern, jazz, West African, hip-hop, Zumba, and Horton technique classes, with tuition structured as drop-ins, class bundles, and unlimited monthly subscriptions.

Product overview

Cleo Parker Robinson Dance is a performing arts institution offering a portfolio of interconnected programs: the professional Ensemble and Cleo II second company present live dance performances showcasing African Diaspora traditions; the Academy provides dance instruction across multiple genres for all ages from 3 years through adult; Arts-In-Education and Arts-in-Wellbeing programs bring dance and STREAM education to schools and communities; the International Summer Dance Institute offers intensive summer programming; and the 240-seat Theatre (now expanded into the Center for the Healing Arts) hosts performances and rentals. Season subscriptions and individual performance tickets provide access to signature productions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Professional Ensemble (CPRDE) The main performing company featuring professional dancers who tour internationally and present signature performances rooted in African American traditions and universal human stories. Performs nationally and internationally in 15+ cities annually across 40+ countries.
• Cleo II A pre-professional/apprentice second company focused on developing young adult dancers for professional careers through community outreach, technical development, and artistic cultivation.
• Academy of Dance A dance training institution offering classes in ballet, modern, jazz, West African, hip-hop, Zumba, Horton, and more for all ages from children (starting age 3) to adults, including pre-professional training tracks. Tuition is structured as drop-ins ($20), 10-class bundles ($170), and unlimited monthly subscriptions ($200-$225).
• Arts-In-Education (AIE) School and community programs bringing arts-integrated learning through dance, including the award-winning STREAM program combining dance with robotics, lighting, digital media, and stagecraft. Delivered in 80+ schools annually reaching 25,000+ students.
• Arts-in-Wellbeing Health and wellness programs including the Mental Health is Wealth (MHIW) internship, direct service programs partnering with colleges and universities, and advocacy initiatives at the intersection of arts and health.
• Theatre & Rentals A 240-seat historic theatre in Denver's Five Points neighborhood, available for rent for performances, workshops, community gatherings, and private events, including the Marcelline 'Marcy' Freeman Studio with 28-foot ceilings.
• International Summer Dance Institute (ISDI) Seven-week summer intensive offering dance and theatre instruction for ages 3 through professional adults, combining technical training with cultural education across multiple dance genres. Pricing ranges from $450 for one-week programs to $1,550 for three-week pre-professional programs.
• Youth Ensembles Junior Youth Ensemble (Ages 8-13) and Youth Ensemble (Ages 13-19) providing performance opportunities and advanced training for young dancers.
• Season Tickets/Subscriptions Season 56 subscription passes offering priority booking, reserved seating, free exchanges, exclusive VIP access, and discounts on additional tickets for the annual performance season. Priced at $170 for 5 shows.
• Signature Performances Individual tickets to professional Ensemble performances including Caribe, Granny Dances To A Holiday Drum, Cleo on Cleo, and Legacy concerts, sold through the website and AXS ticketing platform.
• CPRD/MSU Denver Dance Major Partnership with Metropolitan State University of Denver combining CPRD's cross-cultural dance curriculum with university academics, including coursework in modern, jazz, ballet, hip-hop, tap, world dance forms, dance history, community-based practices, somatics, pedagogy, and arts administration with service learning and internships.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1M+ students served through education programs
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Metropolitan State University of DenvercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for CPRD/MSU Denver Dance Major combining CPRD's dynamic cross-cultural curriculum with MSU Denver's academic rigor. Includes coursework in modern, jazz, ballet, hip-hop, tap, world dance forms, dance history, community-based practices, somatics, pedagogy, and arts administration. Students engage in service learning and internships.
• Denver School of the ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCPRD Founder Cleo Parker Robinson served on the 1991 task force creating DSA, Denver's first performing arts magnet school. Ongoing relationship including recognition at DSA's 7th Annual Fall Gala in 2017.
• Colorado Alliance for Health EquitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through Arts Alliance for Health Equity initiatives, collaborating on community health programming and policy work at intersection of arts and health.
• Cultural STREAM CouncilminorOthersCollection of cultural sponsors including IOB/BID, NMOA, Mellon Foundation, CHF, BSF, SCFD, NBA, Southwest, TDF, BRIC, CCI, Shubert, and others supporting CPRD programs.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: One of the most prominent Black dance companies in the world, with a professional company, school (Ailey School), and extensive arts-in-education programming. Directly comparable to CPRD in mission, cultural focus on African American traditions, and integrated performance-education-community model.
• Dance Theatre of Harlem: A preeminent Black ballet and contemporary dance company with a school and community education programs. Directly comparable to CPRD in cultural mission, multi-tier company structure (main company and ensemble), and emphasis on arts education and access.
• Martha Graham Dance Company: Legendary modern dance company with school, licensing program, and international touring. Comparable to CPRD as a contemporary/modern dance institution with educational programming and a long-established legacy brand.
• Paul Taylor Dance Company: Major American modern dance company with an associated school (Taylor School) and outreach programs. Comparable in the contemporary/modern dance performance category and integrated educational programming.
• Hubbard Street Dance Chicago: A professional contemporary dance company with strong education and community programming including youth ensembles and school residencies. Comparable as a regional dance company with deep education programs and touring activity.
• Ballet Hispánico: A leading Latino dance organization with professional company, school of dance, and arts-in-education programs. Comparable to CPRD in cultural-identity-based mission, multi-tier company structure, and education/community integration.
• LINES Ballet: San Francisco-based contemporary ballet company with a training program (BFA program with Alonzo King) and outreach. Comparable to CPRD in combining professional contemporary performance with formal educational pathways and community programs.

Regional players

• Colorado Ballet: Denver-based professional ballet company with academy and education programs. Local peer competing for Denver audiences, corporate sponsorships, and donor dollars within the same metropolitan arts market.
• Denver Center for the Performing Arts: Major Denver performing arts presenter and venue operator with presenting, education, and rental functions. Comparable as a local performing arts institution competing for Denver audiences, corporate sponsors, and ticket revenue.

Emerging players

• Pilobolus: A creative dance company with touring, education programs, and innovative performance formats. Comparable as a contemporary dance organization combining professional touring with educational outreach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCPOpjaP999LMzAXmqTAvPSA
• Facebookfacebook.com/CleoParkerRobinsonDance
• Instagraminstagram.com/cleodance
• Xx.com/cprdance
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cleo-parker-robinson-dance

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cleo Parker Robinson Dance