What Paramount Theatre does

Paramount Theatre is a multi-venue performing arts complex operated by the Aurora Civic Center Authority (ACCA), a government state entity established in 1965, through its 501c3 non-profit arm Paramount Arts Centre. Originally built in 1931 as a movie theater and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, the organization has expanded since 2010 from a single 1,885-seat auditorium into a five-venue platform: Paramount Theatre (Broadway Series), Copley Theatre (165-seat BOLD Series), Stolp Island Theatre (98-seat immersive, opened July 2024), RiverEdge Park (6,000-capacity outdoor), and Meyer Ballroom (events). The Paramount School of the Arts (opened June 2019) extends the platform into year-round performing arts education for all ages.

Revenue is generated through six primary streams: ticket sales across all venues and the Broadway Series subscription model (30,000+ subscribers, claimed as the nation's largest); venue rentals for weddings, corporate events, and private functions; food and beverage at Grand Gallery Cafe & Bar and Copley Lounge; Paramount School of the Arts tuition; Premium Guest Experience VIP add-ons ($36-$46 per seat); and a donations/sponsorship program supporting its 501c3 status. Go-to-market combines direct box office sales, online ticketing, an enterprise field-sales motion for groups and schools (10-20% tiered discounts), and event-driven marketing around the Broadway Series, BOLD Series, RiverEdge concerts, Movie Mondays ($1 tickets), and comedy programming. The organization serves approximately 350,000 patrons annually from over 250 communities and produces/presents 500+ performances per year.

Name

Paramount Theatre

Legal name

Paramount Arts Centre

Website

https://paramountaurora.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1931

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Paramount Theatre is a multi-venue 501c3 performing arts complex in Aurora, IL operated by ACCA, serving 350,000+ annual patrons from 250+ communities through five venues, a Broadway Series subscription product, immersive productions, arts education, and event rentals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Venue

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (71111), Performing Arts Companies (7111), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Motion Picture and Video Exhibition (51213), Musical Groups and Artists (71113)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Musical Theatre (Non-Broadway/Fringe) (MPAGABAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB), Theater & Drama Education (Acting, Improvisation, Musical Theater) (EDAMAAAG), Theatre Education, Training & Conservatories (MPAGABAN), Performing Arts & Cultural Event Venues (Theaters, Museums) (THAHAAAG), Concert Halls & Music Venue Operations (Symphony Halls, Recital Venues) (MPAGALAC), Alternative Content Exhibition (Live Broadcasts, Concert Films, Sports, Opera) (MPADAKAG)

Keywords

• Live theater performances
• Performing arts venue
• Broadway musical series
• Arts education programs
• Event venue rentals

Headquarters

HQ city

Aurora

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Primary revenue from ticket sales across all venues including Paramount Theatre, Copley Theatre, Stolp Island Theatre, and RiverEdge Park. Broadway Series subscriptions, individual show tickets, and special event admissions.
2. Venue Rentals: Rentals for weddings, meetings, private events, and corporate functions at Meyer Ballroom, Paramount Theatre spaces, and outdoor venues.
3. Food & Beverage: Concessions, bar service at Grand Gallery Cafe & Bar and Copley Lounge. Alcohol sales, non-alcoholic beverages, and café food items during performances.
4. School of the Arts Programs: Revenue from performing arts education including private instruction, group classes, workshops, audition programs, and summer camps for all ages.
5. Premium Guest Experience: Premium add-on experience for Broadway shows including exclusive entrance, hors d'oeuvres, open bar, and concierge service. $36 for subscribers, $46 for non-subscribers.
6. Donations & Sponsorships: Charitable contributions, corporate sponsorships, and donor programs supporting the 501c3 non-profit arts organization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Paramount Theatre operates a multi-venue performing arts complex in Aurora, Illinois, presenting self-produced Broadway-caliber musicals, immersive productions, concerts, comedy, and classic film screenings across five venues. The organization also offers performing arts education for all ages through Paramount School of the Arts and rents its historic venues for weddings, corporate events, and private celebrations.

Product overview

Paramount Theatre operates a multi-venue performing arts complex in Aurora, Illinois, consisting of a platform-plus-venues architecture. The core offering is the Paramount Theatre (1,885 seats) hosting the Broadway Series of self-produced Broadway-caliber musicals, complemented by the Copley Theatre (165 seats) for the BOLD Series and Stolp Island Theatre (98 seats) for immersive productions like Million Dollar Quartet. Supporting venues include RiverEdge Park (6,000-capacity outdoor concert space) and Meyer Ballroom for events. Additional offerings include Paramount School of the Arts for education, Premium Guest Experience VIP packages, $1 Movie Mondays, Group Services with tiered discounts, and Weddings & Rentals for private events. The Aurora Civic Center Authority operates over 300 performances annually serving 350,000 patrons from over 250 communities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Broadway Series: Self-produced Broadway-caliber musical productions at Paramount Theatre
• BOLD Series
• RiverEdge Park
• Paramount School of the Arts
• Meyer Ballroom
• Stolp Island Theatre
• Movie Mondays

Products and services

• Broadway Series Self-produced Broadway-caliber musical productions at the 1,885-seat Paramount Theatre. Currently in its 15th season with 4-show subscriptions and over 30,000 subscribers. Buy 2 shows, get 2 free promotion with subscriber benefits including same seats, multiple free exchanges, and pre-sale access.
• BOLD Series Performance series at the 165-seat Copley Theatre featuring three shows each season with classic and contemporary works that connect with audiences in fresh new ways.
• Paramount School of the Arts All-ages performing arts education program offering private instruction, group classes, workshops, audition programs, and summer camps in theater, dance, music, and visual arts. Enrollment has doubled in recent years.
• Weddings & Rentals Event venue rental services for weddings, quinceañeras, meetings, conferences, corporate events, galas, and private parties across multiple Paramount venues including Meyer Ballroom, Paramount Theatre, and outdoor spaces.
• Premium Guest Experience VIP add-on package for Broadway performances offering exclusive entrance through the historic Original Lobby, complimentary beverages, hors d'oeuvres, private open bar, personal concierge service, and reserved seating. Priced at $36 for subscribers and $46 for non-subscribers.
• Movie Mondays $1 classic movie screenings on the two-story screen at Paramount Theatre featuring modern cinema classics for family-friendly entertainment. Cash only at door ($20 bills or less).
• Group Services Group discount packages for Broadway and General Season shows with tiered discounts (10-20%), payment plans, lunch options, school field trips, and educator benefits. Groups of 10-19 receive 10% Broadway discount; groups of 20-49 receive 15% with every 21st ticket FREE; groups of 50+ receive 20% discount.

Quantifiable outcome

• 350,000+ annual patrons from over 250 communities
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Hampton Inn and Suites - AuroraminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHotel partner offering 15% discount to Paramount performance attendees.
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites - Aurora/NapervilleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHotel partner located three blocks from Paramount Theatre with negotiated rates for patrons.
• Enticing CuisineminorOthersCatering partner for group lunch options at Meyer Ballroom before Broadway matinees.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Goodspeed Musicals: East Haddam, CT operation known for developing new and revived musicals. Comparable as a self-producing musical theater operator with a National Historic Landmark venue.
• Marriott Theatre: Lincolnshire, IL theater-in-the-round with self-produced Broadway musicals and strong subscription base in suburban Chicago. Direct peer based on production model, subscriber-driven GTM, and overlapping Chicagoland audience.
• The Muny: St. Louis, MO outdoor musical theater producing large-scale summer seasons. Comparable as a self-produced Broadway-caliber musical operation with massive seasonal audience draw.
• Music Theatre Wichita: Wichita, KS self-produced Broadway-scale musical theater with subscription seasons. Comparable operating model as a mid-size regional producer of large-scale musicals in a non-NYC market.
• La Jolla Playhouse: La Jolla, CA Tony Award-winning regional theater developing new works and producing Broadway transfers. Comparable profile of award-winning subscription-based theater with new works development.
• Paper Mill Playhouse: Millburn, NJ theater producing Broadway-caliber musicals and operating the Paper Mill Playhouse as a leading regional theater. Strong comparability on production model, awards track record, and educational outreach.
• Drury Lane Theatre: Suburban Chicago theater in Oakbrook Terrace producing Broadway-caliber musicals with dinner-theater package and banquet facilities. Most direct competitor given geographic overlap, similar self-produced Broadway-style programming, and comparable subscription model.

Broad incumbents

• Broadway In Chicago: Chicago's primary presenter of touring Broadway productions across multiple venues. Indirect competitor for Broadway audiences in the broader Chicago market; comparable as a multi-venue Broadway presenter with subscription models.

Regional players

• Steppenwolf Theatre Company: Chicago theater company renowned for ensemble-driven productions. While not Broadway-musical focused, comparable as a regional theater powerhouse competing for the same audience and donor base in the broader Chicago market.
• Williamstown Theatre Festival: Williamstown, MA summer theater producing classic and new works. Comparable as a regional producing theater with educational programming and seasoned professional talent.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/paramountaurora
• Facebookfacebook.com/RiverEdgeAurora
• Instagraminstagram.com/riveredgeaurora
• TikToktiktok.com/@paramountsmeyerballroom
• Pinterestpinterest.com/paramountsmeyerballroom

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries5 records

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 Paramount Theatre