The World Stage

What The World Stage does

The World Stage is a 501(c)-equivalent nonprofit performing arts education and performance venue located at 4321 Degnan Blvd. in Leimert Park Village, Los Angeles, founded in 1989 by world-renowned master jazz drummer Billy Higgins and poet Kamau Daáood. Its mission is to secure, preserve, and advance African American music, literature, and works in the oral tradition. Programming comprises approximately nine weekly workshops (West African Conga Rhythms and Beats, Anansi Writers Workshop, Billy Higgins Instrumental Jam Session, Trap Drum Workshop, Melody First vocal coaching, Reed's Creeds, S.H.I.N.E. Mawusi Women's African Drum Circle, World Stage Big Band, and Rose Gales Vocal Jam Session) plus ticketed Friday/Saturday performances, the annual Kwanzaa Music Festival, and an annual concert featuring nationally acclaimed artists — all delivered in a 100-capacity venue.

The organization has no technology stack or proprietary platform; its "products" are in-person instructional sessions and live performance events, supplemented by a Buzzsprout podcast, Soundcloud audio, and Instagram/Facebook community engagement. Workshops are priced on a suggested-donation basis of $5–$15 with no one turned away for lack of funds.

The business model is a hybrid of low-cost programming revenue, ticket sales, community donations (PayPal and mailed checks), and institutional grants from six arts funders — the Department of Cultural Affairs, California Arts Council, Perenchio Foundation, Herb Alpert Foundation, Ruth Arts, and LA County Arts Commission. The organization is explicitly 100% volunteer-run with no paid staff; governance sits with co-founders and Executive Director Dwight Trible. Notable alumni include Pulitzer Prize nominee Ruth Forman, bestselling authors Michael Datcher and Jenoyne Adams, and vocalist Dwight Trible.

Name

The World Stage

Legal name

The World Stage

Website

https://theworldstage.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The World Stage is a 100% volunteer-run nonprofit arts venue in Leimert Park Village, Los Angeles, founded in 1989, that delivers weekly African American music and literary arts workshops plus ticketed performances to the South L.A. community at suggested-donation pricing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Arts Education & Performance

NAICS

Other Performing Arts Companies (711190), Musical Groups and Artists (711130), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Performing Arts & Music Lessons (Dance, Drumming, Instrument Lessons, Theater) (THAJAKAC), Performing Arts Camps (Theater, Musical Theater, Dance) (EDAMALAI), Performing Arts (Acting, Improv, Theater) (EDAAAGAE)

Keywords

• Arts education workshops
• Community performance venue
• Jazz and drum instruction
• Literary arts programs
• African American cultural arts

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Workshop fees: Affordable weekly workshops in music and literary arts offered to the public, generally $5 per workshop with no one turned away for lack of funds. Additional workshops at various price points including $10 and $15 suggested donations.
2. Donations: Community donations accepted via PayPal or mail. The organization relies on public support to continue operations and advance its mission of African American arts education.
3. Performance tickets: Ticketed performances from a range of renowned artists, generally occurring on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The World Stage is a nonprofit educational and performance art space in Leimert Park Village, Los Angeles. It offers a portfolio of weekly workshops in music (jazz, West African drums, trap drum) and literary arts (Anansi Writers Workshop), alongside ticketed performances on Friday and Saturday evenings featuring renowned artists. Programs are offered at affordable suggested donations ($5–$15) with no one turned away for lack of funds, advancing the African American cultural arts tradition.

Product overview

The World Stage is a non-profit educational and performance art space offering a unified portfolio of weekly workshops in music and literary arts, alongside ticketed performances. The program portfolio includes: West African Conga Rhythms and Beats (Tuesday), Anansi Writers Workshop (Wednesday), Billy Higgins Instrumental Jam Session (Thursday), Trap Drum Workshop (Saturday morning), Melody First: The Art of Jazz Singing (Saturday), Reed's Creeds Jazz Workshop (Saturday), S.H.I.N.E. Mawusi Women's African Drum Circle (Saturday), World Stage Big Band (Sunday), and Rose Gales Vocal Jam Session (Sunday). Additional offerings include Friday/Saturday ticketed performances, the Kwanzaa Music Festival, and an annual concert featuring nationally acclaimed artists. Workshops are generally offered for $5–$15 suggested donation with no one turned away for lack of funds.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• West African Conga Rhythms and Beats
• Anansi Writers Workshop
• The Billy Higgins Instrumental Jam Session
• Trap Drum Workshop
• Melody First: The Art of Jazz Singing
• Reed's Creeds Jazz Workshop
• S.H.I.N.E. Mawusi Women's African Drum Circle
• World Stage Big Band
• The Rose Gales Vocal Jam Session
• Ticketed Performances
• Kwanzaa Music Festival
• Annual Concert Featuring Nationally Acclaimed Artists

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Grand Performances: LA-based nonprofit presenting free live music and performing arts programming in a community setting. Directly comparable as a mission-driven local performing arts presenter serving diverse LA audiences with accessible ticketing.
• Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles: Free outdoor concert venue offering community-focused music programming. Comparable in mission of accessible live music presentation and community cultural enrichment in the LA area.
• A Place Called Home: South LA nonprofit providing youth arts education, mentorship, and cultural programming. Directly comparable as a community-anchored nonprofit serving South LA youth and families with arts-based programming and intergenerational engagement.
• The Blue Note Jazz Club: Iconic jazz presenting venue with locations in NYC and elsewhere. Comparable as a jazz performance presenter featuring world-class artists, though operates as a commercial ticketed venue rather than a nonprofit education-focused organization.
• Watts Towers Arts Center: LA-based community arts center near The World Stage's service area, focused on preserving and presenting African American and Latino arts traditions. Comparable as a community-rooted cultural institution in South LA with educational programming.

Broad incumbents

• The Ford Theatre: LA County-operated outdoor performing arts venue in a similar community-facing role. Comparable as a presenting/education-focused performing arts institution serving the greater LA region, though larger and county-funded.
• Jazz at Lincoln Center: National jazz performance and education organization founded by Wynton Marsalis. Comparable as a jazz-focused presenting and education institution, though operating at a much larger national scale with paid staff and major endowment.
• California African American Museum (CAAM): LA-based cultural institution dedicated to African American art, history, and culture. Comparable in mission of advancing African American cultural preservation and public engagement, though operates as a state-supported museum rather than a performing arts workshop space.
• Music Center (Los Angeles): LA's premier performing arts complex and presenting organization. Comparable as a performing arts presenter in the LA market, though operating at significantly larger scale with paid staff and major institutional backing.

Regional players

• Smalls Jazz Club: Intimate NYC jazz venue presenting live music and jam sessions. Comparable as a community-based jazz performance and education space, though based in New York rather than LA and operating as a commercial venue.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/theworldstage
• Facebookfacebook.com/theworldstage
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/world-stage-performance-gallery

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 The World Stage