The Black Theatre Troupe
The Black Theatre Troupe is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit performing arts organization founded in 1970 in Phoenix, Arizona, producing professional African-American theatrical productions and educational outreach programs. It operates from the Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center as the oldest continuously operating African American theater in the Southwestern United States.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1970
- HeadquartersPhoenix, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Black Theatre Troupe does
The Black Theatre Troupe is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit performing arts organization founded on September 14, 1970, by Helen Katherine Mason in Phoenix, Arizona. It operates as the only professional African-American theatre company in the four-corner states (Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah) and is recognized as the oldest continuously operating African American theater in the Southwestern United States. The organization produces mainstage theatrical productions illuminating African-American experience and culture, and is one of a small number of companies nationally to have completed August Wilson's full 10-play Pittsburgh Cycle. BTT currently operates in its 57th season (2026-2027), producing five productions including The Exonerated, Don't Bother Me I Can't Cope, Black Nativity, Colored People's Time, and Jubilee.
The organization operates from the Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center, a state-of-the-art facility in downtown Phoenix's historic Eastlake Park district that opened February 1, 2013, after a community capital campaign supplemented by voter-approved City of Phoenix bond funding in 2006. Core offerings include mainstage theatrical productions, educational workshops and outreach programs, Flex Pass subscription packages (priced at $97 for two plays, $137 for three plays, and $170 for four plays), and a Volunteer Guild that provides ushers, group sales coordinators, concessions, box office, and house management. The platform technology is non-proprietary: a Squarespace website, Constant Contact for email marketing, and arts-people.com for online ticketing.
Revenue is generated through a direct-to-consumer model combining single ticket sales, annual Flex Pass subscriptions, and tax-deductible donations. Distribution occurs through an in-person box office, telephone sales, and the online ticketing platform. The company employs 1-10 staff and depends materially on volunteer labor for operations. Marketing is conducted via email newsletter, the organizational website, and community outreach. The two primary customer segments served are multicultural audiences seeking African-American cultural programming and underserved artists seeking professional performance and development opportunities.
The Black Theatre Troupe firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Black Theatre Troupe
- Legal name
- The Black Theatre Troupe, Inc.
- Website
- https://blacktheatretroupe.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1970
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Black Theatre Troupe is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit performing arts organization founded in 1970 in Phoenix, Arizona, producing professional African-American theatrical productions and educational outreach programs. It operates from the Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center as the oldest continuously operating African American theater in the Southwestern United States.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Black Theatre Troupe industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Performing Arts Theater
- NAICS
- Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (71111)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Regional & Repertory Theatre Companies (MPAGABAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music) (BPAGAHAB), Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM)
Keywords
Where The Black Theatre Troupe is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Phoenix
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Black Theatre Troupe business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Ticket Sales: Revenue generated from single ticket purchases and Flex Pass subscription packages for mainstage theatrical productions. The organization operates as a nonprofit and depends on audience attendance for operational funding.
- Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible charitable contributions from individual donors supporting the nonprofit's mission to provide African-American theater and community outreach programs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | 4 Play Flex Pass - Best value subscription |
| Subscription | Annual | 3 Play Flex Pass - Mid-tier subscription |
| Subscription | Annual | 2 Play Flex Pass - Entry subscription |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
The Black Theatre Troupe product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Black Theatre Troupe produces professional mainstage theatrical performances illuminating African-American experience and culture at the Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center in Phoenix, Arizona. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, it delivers a seasonal lineup of plays, educational workshops, and community outreach programs that provide training, employment, and performance opportunities for multiethnic and underserved artists. Revenue is generated through single ticket sales, Flex Pass subscription packages, and charitable donations.
Product overview
The Black Theatre Troupe operates as a unified performing arts organization offering professional mainstage theatrical productions at the Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center, complemented by educational workshops and community outreach programs. The company presents a season of diverse productions including The Exonerated, Don't Bother Me I Can't Cope, Black Nativity, Colored People's Time, and Jubilee. Subscription access is available through Flex Pass packages, while volunteer opportunities and general auditions provide additional engagement pathways for community participation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Mainstage Theatrical Productions Professional theatrical productions presented at the Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center featuring plays that illuminate African-American experience and culture, intended for multicultural audiences in the Phoenix metropolitan area.
- Educational Workshops and Outreach Programs Community-focused educational initiatives that foster understanding and bridge cultural divisions through theater arts, serving youth and community outreach programming in the Phoenix metropolitan area.
- Flex Pass Subscriptions Annual subscription packages offering discounted access to multiple productions throughout the season for individual theater patrons, with benefits including priority seating and subscriber perks.
- General Auditions Annual open audition process for actors seeking roles in the company's season productions, offering in-person and video submission options to multiethnic and underserved performing artists.
Companies that use The Black Theatre Troupe
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Black Theatre Troupe technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Black Theatre Troupe partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Audience MagnetsminorMarketing and media relations partner providing public relations support for the organization.
- Durant CommunicationsminorPhotography services provider for the organization.
- City of PhoenixcoreIn 2006, city of Phoenix voters approved bond funding for capital projects including an award to Black Theatre Troupe to secure a larger facility. The organization maintains a historic relationship with the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department, dating to the founding by former city official Helen Katherine Mason.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights4 records
The Black Theatre Troupe competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Round House Theatre: Bethesda, MD-based professional regional theater producing a season of plays and musicals. Comparable as a single-venue, subscription-based regional repertory theater with educational programming.
- East West Players: Los Angeles-based Asian American theater company founded in 1965. Comparable as a long-running, mission-driven professional theater serving an underserved community with mainstage productions and educational outreach.
- National Black Theatre: Harlem-based nonprofit African-American theater company founded in 1968. Directly comparable as a Black-led professional theater producing original and canonical works, with educational and community programming.
- Penumbra Theatre Company: St. Paul, MN-based professional African-American theater company founded in 1976. Closely comparable as a regional Black theater company with educational programming, season subscriptions, and a mission centered on Black artistic excellence.
- The Billie Holiday Theatre: Brooklyn-based African-American theater company founded in 1972. Comparable as a community-rooted Black theater producing mainstage productions and educational programs for underserved audiences.
Broad incumbents
- Alliance Theatre: Atlanta-based Tony Award-winning regional theater producing a broad season of plays and musicals. Comparable as a larger, well-resourced regional repertory theater with educational programming and a subscription model.
- Steppenwolf Theatre Company: Chicago-based Tony-winning repertory theater with a strong ensemble model and educational programs. Comparable as a mission-driven professional theater with subscription revenue and community outreach.
- Goodman Theatre: Chicago-based nonprofit producing plays and musicals for diverse audiences. Comparable as a larger Midwest-based professional theater with educational outreach and subscription ticketing.
Regional players
- Arizona Theatre Company: Phoenix-based regional repertory theater producing a season of mainstage productions. Comparable as a professional Phoenix theater competing for the same local audience and donor base.
- Phoenix Theatre Company: Local Phoenix theater operating the prestigious Hormel Theatre and Mainstage Theatre. Comparable as a regional repertory competitor in the same Phoenix market with subscription ticketing.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Black Theatre Troupe social profiles
Digital presenceThe Black Theatre Troupe financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Black Theatre Troupe leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
The Black Theatre Troupe funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Black Theatre Troupe M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Black Theatre Troupe
What does The Black Theatre Troupe do?
The Black Theatre Troupe produces professional mainstage theatrical performances illuminating African-American experience and culture at the Helen K. Mason Performing Arts Center in Phoenix, Arizona. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, it delivers a seasonal lineup of plays, educational workshops, and community outreach programs that provide training, employment, and performance opportunities for multiethnic and underserved artists. Revenue is generated through single ticket sales, Flex Pass subscription packages, and charitable donations.
Is The Black Theatre Troupe a public or private company?
The Black Theatre Troupe is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Black Theatre Troupe founded?
The Black Theatre Troupe was founded in 1970. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Black Theatre Troupe based?
The Black Theatre Troupe is headquartered in Phoenix, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Black Theatre Troupe make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Ticket Sales are the primary driver. The others are donations and Contributions.
Who are The Black Theatre Troupe's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Round House Theatre, East West Players, National Black Theatre, Penumbra Theatre Company and The Billie Holiday Theatre. Broad incumbents are Alliance Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre Company and Goodman Theatre. Regional players are Arizona Theatre Company and Phoenix Theatre Company.
Does The Black Theatre Troupe have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Black Theatre Troupe.
What industry is The Black Theatre Troupe in?
The Black Theatre Troupe's product category is Performing Arts Theater. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGABAB, Regional & Repertory Theatre Companies, with a secondary code of BPAGAHAB, Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music). Its NAICS code is 71111.