Theatre Memphis

What Theatre Memphis does

Theatre Memphis is a 501(c)(3) community theatre established in 1921 and based in Memphis, Tennessee, operating two purpose-built venues — the 411-seat Lohrey Theatre (proscenium) and the 110-seat Next Stage (black box) — to deliver an 11-show annual season spanning musicals, dramas, comedies, and new works. The organization runs on a hybrid staffing model: a small professional staff of approximately 20 handles production management, resident design roles (scenic, lighting, costume, sound), operations, marketing, and outreach, while all cast and crew positions are filled by community volunteers. Educational programming is a core pillar, including Read to Relate (community-discussion series for BIPOC, ALAANA, and differently-abled audiences), Tech Academy, Youth Performances, Senior Stories Project, the SkillSet adult technical training program launched in 2024, and university internship partnerships (notably the Leighton Ballew Fellowship with the University of Memphis Department of Theatre & Dance).

Revenue is generated through a diversified mix of earned and contributed streams. Earned income includes single-ticket sales ($15-$35 by audience type), annual season memberships ($140-$156 for 6-7 tickets across both venues), and costume rental from the in-house costume shop. Contributed income includes individual donations, the TM♦GEM sustained monthly giving program, memorial and scholarship funds (including the Theatre Memphis Priscilla Presley Scholarship and the Lamar Hartzog Arts Access Fund), corporate sponsorships (with First Horizon Foundation as presenting sponsor for both the 2025-26 and 2026-27 seasons, AutoZone as presenting sponsor for A Christmas Carol), and grants from ArtsMemphis and the Tennessee Arts Commission. Ancillary support comes from the Stage Set auxiliary organization, which has operated since 1965 to fundraise and provide volunteer service. Distribution is regional (Memphis/Mid-South Tennessee) via the box office, online ticketing through Tickets.com, email/newsletter, and media partnerships with WKNO 91.1FM and Memphis Flyer. The organization is not publicly traded and has no PE/VC backing; governance rests with a Board of Directors.

Name

Theatre Memphis

Legal name

Theatre Memphis

Website

https://theatrememphis.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1921

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Theatre Memphis is a 501(c)(3) community theatre in Memphis, Tennessee, founded in 1921, operating two venues (411-seat Lohrey Theatre and 110-seat Next Stage) to deliver an 11-show annual season of musicals, dramas, and comedies powered by a small professional staff and community volunteers, with revenue from ticket sales, memberships, donations, sponsorships, and costume rental.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Theatre / Performing Arts

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (71111), Performing Arts Companies (7111)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Regional & Repertory Theatre Companies (MPAGABAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB), Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music) (BPAGAHAB)

Keywords

• Live theatrical performances
• Community theatre productions
• Performing arts education
• Season ticket memberships
• Theatrical costume rental

Headquarters

HQ city

Memphis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Single tickets sold for individual performances of musicals, dramas, and comedies at Lohrey Theatre and Next Stage
2. Season Memberships: Annual membership packages offering 6-7 tickets usable across any production, with discounts on special offerings
3. Donations and Fundraising: Tax-deductible contributions including general donations, memorials/honorariums, sustaining giving (TM GEM program), brick paver purchases, and named funds
4. Costume Rental: Rental of costumes from their costume shop inventory
5. Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships for individual productions and seasons, including presenting sponsors and media sponsors

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Theatre Memphis operates a community-based performing arts organization in Memphis, Tennessee, producing approximately 11 live theatrical productions annually across two venues: the 411-seat Lohrey Theatre and the 110-seat Next Stage black box. The organization sells individual tickets and season memberships for musicals, dramas, and comedies, while also delivering educational outreach programs, technical theatre training, volunteer opportunities, and costume rental services to the local community.

Product overview

Theatre Memphis operates two performance venues—the 411-seat Lohrey Theatre (proscenium) and the 110-seat Next Stage (black box)—presenting a season of six mainstage productions and four Next Stage productions annually. The organization provides comprehensive theatre experiences including ticket sales and season memberships, educational outreach programs (Read to Relate, Tech Academy, Youth Performances, Senior Stories Project), and technical training through the SkillSet adult program. Additional services include volunteer and internship programs, costume rental, and scholarship funds (Priscilla Presley Scholarship, Lamar Hartzog Arts Access Fund, Emergency Needs for Theatre Artists Community Fund). The Stage Set auxiliary organization supports fundraising and community engagement since 1965.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Live Theatrical Season Performances Approximately 11 live theatrical productions per year across the Lohrey Theatre (411-seat proscenium) and Next Stage (110-seat black box), including musicals, dramas, comedies, and holiday productions such as A Christmas Carol (in its 48th consecutive year). Open to the general public via individual ticket purchase.
• Season Membership Annual subscription package offering 6-7 tickets usable across any production in the season at both venues, with discounts on special holiday offerings and special events. Pricing ranges from $140 (early bird) to $156 regular for the season, with early bird sign-ups receiving a 7th ticket.
• Costume Rental Service Rental of theatrical costumes and accessories from Theatre Memphis's costume shop inventory to individuals and organizations for productions and events.
• Read to Relate Program Community-based interactive discussion program exploring plays representing BIPOC, ALAANA, and differently-abled communities to promote diversity and inclusion in theatre. Open to community participants.
• Tech Academy Technical theatre mentorship program providing hands-on training in backstage production areas for students and community participants.
• SkillSet Adult Technical Theatre Program Adult technical theatre and backstage training program launched in 2024 offering hands-on opportunities to learn lighting, crewing, sound, prop making, stage management, costumes, sets, and design alongside veteran volunteer crew members.
• Youth Performances Theatre productions and programs specifically designed for young audiences and youth participation, including daytime matinees.
• Senior Stories Project Outreach program engaging senior citizens through theatrical storytelling and performance experiences.
• Internship Program Unpaid internship opportunities across multiple departments including assistant stage management, box office, costumes, lighting, marketing, scenery and props, and production assistance. Includes the Leighton Ballew Fellowship in partnership with the University of Memphis Department of Theatre & Dance for directing and stage management.
• Theatre Memphis Priscilla Presley Scholarship Annual scholarship of up to $2,500 awarded to individuals pursuing further education or career opportunities in performing arts creative or technical areas.

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

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Has API

No

API docs

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Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• WKNO 91.1fmcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 6 November 2025Media sponsor providing promotional support for Theatre Memphis productions.
• Memphis FlyercoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 6 November 2025Media sponsor providing promotional support for Theatre Memphis productions.
• Stage SetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAuxiliary organization supporting Theatre Memphis since 1965 through volunteer service, fundraising, and community relations. Has contributed over $70,000 to building fund and provides ongoing support for productions and events.
• University of Memphis Department of Theatre & DancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for Leighton Ballew Fellowship Internship providing theatre students with practical experience in directing and stage management.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Germantown Community Theatre: Suburban Memphis community theatre producing multi-show seasons with volunteer-driven casts; ENTAC co-partner with Theatre Memphis, indicating comparable size, mission, and operating model in the same metropolitan area.
• Nashville Repertory Theatre: Tennessee-based professional regional theatre producing a season of plays and musicals; comparable in mission, scale, and programming mix (mix of classics, musicals, and new works) to Theatre Memphis within the same state.
• Playhouse on the Square: Memphis-based community theatre producing a season of plays and musicals; co-partners with Theatre Memphis on the ENTAC emergency assistance fund, confirming direct operational overlap in the same Memphis theatre ecosystem.
• Circuit Playhouse: Memphis-based theatre company producing smaller-scale productions; former employer of Theatre Memphis's Resident Costume Director (Amie Eoff served four seasons there), demonstrating direct talent crossover in the Memphis theatre community.

Broad incumbents

• Alliance Theatre: Atlanta-based regional theatre producing a Broadway-scale season including new works, musicals, and classics; comparable in mission to Theatre Memphis but at a significantly larger scale as a nationally-recognized regional producing organization.
• Actors Theatre of Louisville: Long-established regional repertory theatre producing a season of plays and hosting the Humana Festival of New American Plays; a recognized peer for Theatre Memphis in mission and repertory-theatre operating model, though at substantially larger scale.
• Orpheum Theatre Group (Memphis): Larger Memphis performing arts venue operator presenting touring Broadway shows and locally-produced programming; overlaps with Theatre Memphis in the Memphis live-theatre market but operates at significantly greater scale as a presenter rather than community producer.

Regional players

• Clarence Brown Theatre: University of Tennessee (Knoxville) professional theatre producing a season of productions with academic partnership ties; comparable in producing-company structure and regional arts mission to Theatre Memphis.
• Arkansas Repertory Theatre: Little Rock-based regional repertory theatre producing multi-show seasons; serves a Mid-South market adjacent to Theatre Memphis's Memphis/Mid-South territory with a similar professional community-theatre mission.

Others

• Tennessee Arts Commission: State-level arts funding agency that provides grant support to Theatre Memphis; relevant as a financial backer and ecosystem participant rather than a direct theatre competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/theatrememphis
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheatreMemphis
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/theatre-memphis

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 Theatre Memphis