Springfield Little Theatre

What Springfield Little Theatre does

Springfield Little Theatre (SLT) is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven community theatre founded in 1934 and based in Springfield, Missouri, where it operates from the 1909-built Historic Landers Theatre. The organization programs a multi-venue portfolio: the Landers Theatre for mainstage productions, The Reynolds Auditorium for youth entertainment series, The Studio Theatre for late-night and experimental works, and "The Judy" facility for classes and workshops. SLT produces Broadway-style musicals and plays, partners with Springfield Ballet on dance programming, and runs an extensive costume rental program that ships professional costume packages to schools and theatres across the United States.

The company's core "products" are live theatrical performances and performing-arts education. Education offerings include Summer Youth Programs, classes, School's Out Workshops, an Education Series, Youth Performance Troupes (Y.E.S. Troupe), Illumination Dance Company, Film Lab, SLT Academy, and outreach programs (AFPA partnership, SLT On Wheels, Any Given Child). A Late Night Series supports experimental work, and venue rentals monetize the facilities for external events. Customer segments are youth performers, community members and volunteers, and schools/educational institutions.

SLT's revenue mechanics are diversified across ticket sales (individual, season subscriptions, group sales, gift cards), donations and sponsorships (including a 1934 Club donor tier), education program registrations, costume rental fees, and facility rentals. The organization explicitly states that ticket sales cover only 44% of operating costs, making donations and fundraising structurally critical to the cost base. Ticketing runs on Salesforce, retail on Square, and class registration on Coursestorm. Leadership comprises Executive Director Beth Domann and Education Director Lorianne Dunn, supported by directors/choreographers with cross-affiliations to Missouri State University and Juanita K. Hammons Hall.

Name

Springfield Little Theatre

Legal name

Springfield Little Theatre

Website

https://springfieldlittletheatre.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1934

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Springfield Little Theatre is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven community theatre founded in 1934 in Springfield, Missouri, producing mainstage musicals and plays, youth education programs, and a nationwide costume rental service for schools and theatres.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Theatre / Performing Arts

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers (711510)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Community & Amateur Theatre (MPAGABAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Theater & Drama Education (Acting, Improvisation, Musical Theater) (EDAMAAAG), Theatre Education, Training & Conservatories (MPAGABAN), Theatre Services & Design (Scenic/Costume/Props/Stage Management) (MPAGABAO)

Keywords

• Community theatre productions
• Performing arts education
• Theatrical costume rentals
• Venue rental services
• Youth theatre programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Springfield

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

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Springfield Little Theatre is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven community theatre that presents Broadway-style musicals and plays across multiple venues — The Landers Theatre, The Reynolds Auditorium, and The Studio Theatre — and complements its mainstage productions with performing arts education programs for youth and adults, a nationwide costume rental service, and venue rental offerings.

Product overview

Springfield Little Theatre is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven community theatre organization operating from the historic Landers Theatre in Springfield, Missouri. The organization offers a multi-venue theatrical portfolio including mainstage productions at The Landers Theatre, The Reynolds Auditorium, and The Studio Theatre, featuring Broadway-style musicals and plays. Beyond performance productions, SLT provides comprehensive education programs for youth and adults including Summer Youth Programs, Y.E.S. Troupe, Illumination Dance Company, Film Lab, and SLT Academy. The organization also operates a national costume rental program shipping professional costumes to theatres across the United States, and provides venue rental services. The portfolio includes the Late Night Series for experimental works and partnerships with Springfield Ballet for dance performances.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Landers Theatre: The historic mainstage venue at 311 East Walnut Street, Springfield, Missouri
• The Reynolds Auditorium
• The Studio Theatre
• The Judy
• Y.E.S. Troupe
• Illumination Dance Company
• SLT Academy

Products and services

• Mainstage Productions at The Landers Theatre
• Education Programs
• Youth Entertainment Series
• Costume Rental Program
• Venue Rentals
• Late Night Series
• Springfield Ballet Performances
• Season Subscriptions and Ticket Packages

Quantifiable outcome

• Performer testimony: 'SLT gave me confidence and skills that have continued to benefit me through college and the rest of my professional career'

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Academy of Fine and Performing Arts (AFPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational outreach partnership with Springfield Public Schools' Academy of Fine and Performing Arts, providing performance opportunities and arts education for students.
• Juanita K. Hammons HallminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for productions requiring larger venues - notably presented THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS at Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts.
• American Association of Community Theatre (AACT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWon grant from AACT for first rights to premiere world-premiere work EXIT LAUGHING. SLT was the only community theatre selected among regional theatres for AACTNewPlayFest.
• Springfield Contemporary TheatreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOther local theatre company where performers often work between SLT productions.
• Advertising PlusminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal advertising company sponsoring SLT's 90th EMERALD ANNIVERSARY SEASON boutique and providing custom merchandise (cups, tumblers, ornaments) for productions.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Stages St. Louis: A professional regional theatre in St. Louis producing Broadway musicals and new works. Comparable as a regional live-theatre operator in Missouri with education programming and touring productions serving the broader Midwest.
• Kansas City Repertory Theatre: A professional regional theatre in Missouri producing classic and contemporary works with affiliated education and outreach. Comparable as a regional Missouri-based theatre operator with similar mission and educational programming.
• Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts: Springfield's largest performing arts venue where SLT partnered to present large-cast productions like THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS. Comparable as a regional live-performance venue serving overlapping audiences with touring Broadway and concerts.

Direct peers

• Nashville Children's Theatre: A nonprofit theatre specializing in productions for young audiences with complementary education programs. Comparable to SLT's Youth Entertainment Series and youth education portfolio in mission and programming structure.
• Omaha Community Playhouse: One of the largest community theatres in the United States, operating multiple venues with both mainstage and education programs. Highly comparable as a multi-venue, volunteer-driven nonprofit community theatre with youth education and a long operating history.
• Springfield Contemporary Theatre: The other local community theatre in Springfield, MO where performers often work between SLT productions. Directly comparable as a nonprofit live-theatre competitor serving the same regional audience with overlapping production programming.

Broad incumbents

• Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park: An established LORT-affiliated regional theatre operating multiple performance spaces. Comparable as a multi-venue theatre operator with mainstage productions, education programs, and new-work development.
• The MUNY (Municipal Theatre Association of St. Louis): America's oldest and largest outdoor musical theatre, producing a Broadway-style summer season. Comparable in Missouri context as a major regional musical theatre producer with a community-mission orientation.

Others

• American Association of Community Theatre (AACT): National umbrella organization for community theatres; SLT won an AACT grant for first rights to EXIT LAUGHING. Comparable as an industry body governing community-theatre standards, networking, and grant funding relevant to SLT's operations.
• Springfield Regional Arts Council: Local arts funding and advocacy body where SLT director Josh Inmon serves as a board member. Comparable as a regional arts ecosystem participant that influences funding, partnerships, and audience development for SLT.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SpfldTheatre
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@spfldtheatre/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/SpringfieldLittleTheatre
• Instagraminstagram.com/spfldtheatre
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/springfield-little-theatre

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Springfield Little Theatre