Union County Performing Arts Center

What Union County Performing Arts Center does

Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operating two performing arts venues in Rahway, New Jersey: the historic Main Stage, built in 1928 and listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places, and the modern Hamilton Stage, completed in 2012. The organization presents and hosts a diverse programming slate spanning comedy, R&B and jazz concerts, ballet and contemporary dance, theater productions, 35mm classic film screenings, sensory-friendly accessible performances, and youth arts education through summer camps and conservatories. UCPAC functions as both a presenter (curating its own ticketed programming) and a rental venue for external producers, dance schools, and community groups across Union County and the broader New Jersey/New York metro region.

The business model rests on four revenue streams: ticket sales for UCPAC-presented events (all-in pricing ranging from $5 subsidized accessibility screenings to $159 premium concert VIP), venue rentals of Main Stage and Hamilton Stage to external producers and community organizations, donations and membership programs (including the Legacy Arts Club for seniors), and group sales discounts. Pricing varies significantly by event, with tiered discounts for children, seniors, students, and military/veterans, plus bundle programs such as "Pick 3 for 25% Off." Ticketing is delivered through the UCPAC website, the third-party vbotickets.com platform, and an on-site box office. Distribution is supported by organic social channels (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok @ucpacmoments), an email newsletter, and community partnerships.

The organization is anchored by a deep institutional funding and programming ecosystem, including the City of Rahway, Union County Board of County Commissioners, NJEDA A.R.T. Phase II Grant Program, NJ State Council for the Arts, Cultural and Heritage Affairs Office, Discover Jersey Arts, Visit NJ, NJ Tourism Grant, and Phillips 66. Operational partnerships with WBGO (public radio), Smooth Jazz NJ, Theatrical Artist's Prep, and local dance studios extend programming reach. UCPAC operates with 11-50 employees and is located in Rahway, NJ, which ranks #2 on USA Today's 2021 list of the 10 small towns with the best arts scenes.

Name

Union County Performing Arts Center

Legal name

Union County Performing Arts Center

Website

https://ucpac.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1928

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Union County Performing Arts Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating two Rahway, NJ venues (a 1928 historic Main Stage and a 2012 Hamilton Stage) that present comedy, concerts, dance, theater, film, sensory-friendly programming, and youth arts education for Union County audiences and regional renters.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Venue

NAICS

Performing Arts Companies (7111), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYMPAGABAM

Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Live Entertainment & Events (Concerts, Theater, Festivals)/Theater, Broadway & Performing Arts

SECONDARYBPAGAHAB

Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Arts, Culture & Heritage Nonprofits

SECONDARYMPAGABAB

Regional & Repertory Theatre Companies

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Live Entertainment & Events (Concerts, Theater, Festivals)/Theater, Broadway & Performing Arts

SECONDARYTHAHAAAB

Conference Centers & Dedicated Meeting Venues

Travel & Hospitality/MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions)/Conference & Convention Venues (Convention Centers, Civic Centers)

Keywords

• Live entertainment venue
• Performing arts center
• Classic film screenings
• Youth theater education
• Community concert series

Headquarters

HQ city

Rahway

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from ticket sales for events including comedy shows, concerts, dance performances, theater productions, film screenings, and summer camp performances. All-in pricing model includes fees.
2. Venue Rentals: Revenue from renting Main Stage and Hamilton Stage venues to external producers, community groups, and organizations for their own events.
3. Donations and Membership: Nonprofit fundraising through general donations and membership programs, with donors recognized on the website.
4. Group Sales and Discounts: Group sales discounts offered for ticketed events, including Families First Discounts and promotional packages like 'Pick 3 for 25% Off'.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) operates two performance venues in Rahway, NJ — the restored 1928 Main Stage and the modern Hamilton Stage — producing and hosting live entertainment including comedy, concerts, dance, theater, and classic film screenings. It also runs youth arts education programs (theater conservatories and summer camps) and rents both venues to outside producers, schools, and community organizations.

Product overview

Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operating two distinct venues: the historic Main Stage (built 1928) and the modern Hamilton Stage (completed 2012). The organization offers a diverse portfolio of performing arts programming including live comedy, concerts, ballet and dance performances, classic film screenings (35mm), sensory-friendly theater, and summer arts camps for youth. Core venues serve as the foundation for ticketed events and rentals, while series programs like the I. Joseph Hyatt Classic Film Series, Popcorn & Pajamas Film Series, Mayor's Summer Concert Series, and WBGO Presents All That Jazz provide recurring programming across multiple genres and formats.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• UCPAC Main Stage: The historic Main Stage venue, built in 1928, listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places.
• Hamilton Stage
• Kaleidoscope Kids Camp
• Popcorn & Pajamas Film Series
• I. Joseph Hyatt Classic Film Series
• Sensory Friendly Theatre
• All That Jazz Concert Series
• Mayor's Summer Concert Series
• Legacy Arts Club

Products and services

• UCPAC Main Stage The historic flagship performance venue of UCPAC (originally built in 1928, restored and reopened in 2003), hosting live concerts, comedy, theater, dance, and film events for the general public.
• Hamilton Stage A modern black-box style performance venue completed in 2012, used for more intimate live performances, rentals, and community programming.
• I. Joseph Hyatt Classic Film Series

Quantifiable outcome

• 32 events currently listed on upcoming calendar

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• City of RahwaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity of Rahway partners with UCPAC for Mayor's Summer Concert Series, community events including Petflix outdoor movies and FIFA World Cup watch parties. Mayor Raymond A. Giacobbe and Rahway City Council present free outdoor concerts. The City of Rahway and Rahway Special Improvement District co-present community events.
• Union County Board of County CommissionerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnion County Board of County Commissioners provides funding support for sensory-friendly programming and general operations at UCPAC.
• NJ State Council for the ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNJ State Council for the Arts provides funding and support for UCPAC programming, recognized on event pages as a sponsor.
• Discover Jersey ArtsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiscover Jersey Arts partnership for promotion and funding of performing arts programming at UCPAC.
• WBGOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWBGO (Jazz radio station) partners with UCPAC for the 'All That Jazz' concert series showcasing smooth jazz performers. Series is a partnership between UCPAC and Smooth Jazz NJ with WBGO presenting.
• Smooth Jazz NJcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSmooth Jazz NJ partners with UCPAC for the 'All That Jazz' concert series featuring contemporary jazz performers.
• Theatrical Artist's PrepcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTheatrical Artist's Prep partners with UCPAC for Summer Conservatory Camp programs including Pit Perfect (music camp for ages 12-18), Teen Musical Theater Conservatory (ages 13-17), and Youth Musical Theater Conservatory (ages 8-12).
• Essex County CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEssex County College presents an art exhibition from Head of Arts Education David DiPasquale in the Hamilton Stage lobby during jazz concerts.
• Rahway Special Improvement DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRahway Special Improvement District co-presents community events with UCPAC including Petflix pet-friendly outdoor movie.
• Visit NJminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVisit NJ promotes UCPAC events and programming as New Jersey tourism partner.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts: Nationally prominent nonprofit performing arts complex in NYC presenting across multiple disciplines with extensive education programs. Comparable as a nonprofit presenter serving the broader NYC metro area that UCPAC also draws from, though at vastly greater scale.
• New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC): Largest performing arts center in NJ, located in Newark, with multiple venues, extensive education programs, and a far broader programming slate and budget. Comparable as a NJ nonprofit performing arts presenter but at meaningfully greater scale.

Emerging players

• New Victory Theater: NYC nonprofit theater dedicated to performing arts for kids, families, and school groups with education programs. Comparable focus on youth/family arts programming and accessibility, though operating in NYC rather than NJ.
• Westfield Community Players: Community theater in Union County-adjacent Westfield, NJ producing shows and operating as a venue renter. Comparable as a NJ community theater that may partner with or compete for the same local audience as UCPAC.

Direct peers

• Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC): Historic 1926 theater in Englewood, NJ operating as a nonprofit presenting concerts, comedy, family shows, and educational programming. Directly comparable regional peer with similar venue age, programming mix, and community arts mission.
• Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC): Historic performing arts center in Morristown, NJ operating a similarly scaled multi-venue nonprofit model with comparable ticketed programming, education programs, and venue rentals in suburban northern NJ. Closest direct comparable by structure and regional market dynamics.
• Count Basie Center for the Arts: Nonprofit performing arts center in Red Bank, NJ featuring a historic 1926 theater with diverse programming including concerts, comedy, film, and education programs. Comparable by venue heritage, nonprofit status, and breadth of presenting activity in NJ.
• State Theatre New Jersey: Historic 1921 theater in New Brunswick, NJ presenting concerts, comedy, dance, and family programming with a robust education and accessibility mission. Comparable by venue heritage, nonprofit model, and programming breadth in central NJ.

Regional players

• Two River Theater: Regional theater company in Red Bank, NJ producing plays and developing new work. Comparable as a NJ-based nonprofit performing arts organization, though focused on production rather than venue rental/presenting.
• Paper Mill Playhouse: Regional theater company in Millburn, NJ producing Broadway-scale musicals and plays. Adjacent rather than directly overlapping since it is a producing theater rather than a presenting venue, but operates as a peer NJ nonprofit arts institution serving overlapping audiences.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/UCPAC
• Instagraminstagram.com/ucpac
• TikToktiktok.com/@ucpacmoments
• Xx.com/UnionCountyPAC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ucpac

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Union County Performing Arts Center