State Theatre

What State Theatre does

State Theatre Center for the Arts is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) performing arts organization operating a 1,549-seat historic mainstage venue in Easton, Pennsylvania, serving the Lehigh Valley region (Easton-Allentown-Bethlehem) and adjacent Warren County, New Jersey. Founded as a nonprofit in 1981 when community members rescued the 1926-era theatre from demolition, the organization delivers a diversified programming slate spanning Broadway touring productions, concerts, comedy, classical music, family entertainment, and educational programming. Core products include live performances, multi-tier membership programs (ranging from $75 to $5,000+ annually), facility rentals across multiple venue spaces, gift cards, and the trademarked FREDDY Awards — a high school musical theatre recognition program established in 2003 that has distributed over $2 million in scholarships across 30+ regional schools and earned two Mid-Atlantic EMMY Awards.

The business model relies on a diversified revenue mix in which ticket sales cover approximately 65% of performance and operating expenses, with the remaining ~35% funded through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, media partnerships, government grants, facility rentals, and membership contributions. Distribution is omnichannel through an on-site box office, ShowAre-powered online ticketing, third-party reseller platforms, and digital wallet integration (Apple Wallet). Marketing spans email, website, organic social, and radio media partnerships.

The organization is currently celebrating its 100th Season (2026-2027) with approximately 65 announced performances. Educational programming extends beyond the FREDDY Awards to include a Summer Acting Camp (Grades 1-12), free Masterclasses supported by the Jeff Hunter Charitable Trust, and the new Almost Titled adult creative writing workshop. Governance is provided by a Board of Directors with executive leadership including President & CEO Shelley Brown and CFO Tracy Snyder. The theatre holds Pennsylvania EITC approval as an Education Improvement Organization and operates under 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status under the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Name

State Theatre

Legal name

State Theatre Center for the Arts, Inc.

Website

https://statetheatre.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

State Theatre Center for the Arts is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) performing arts center in Easton, Pennsylvania, operating a 1,549-seat historic venue serving the Lehigh Valley region with Broadway touring shows, concerts, comedy, educational programs, and the trademarked FREDDY Awards.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Venue

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB), Classical & Contemporary Theatre (Plays/Drama) (MPAGABAH), Musical Theatre (Non-Broadway/Fringe) (MPAGABAG), Theater, Musicals & Performing Arts (THAJAFAB)

Keywords

• Performing arts venue
• Live entertainment programming
• Facility rental services
• Arts education programs
• Theatre membership programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Easton

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, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from individual performance tickets sold to patrons attending live events, plays, musicals, and concerts. Single-ticket transactions at varying price points based on performance type and seat location.
2. Memberships: Annual membership programs offering benefits such as priority seating, discount tickets, and exclusive access to subscriber-only events. Recurring revenue stream from renewals and new member acquisition.
3. Donations and Contributions: Charitable giving from individuals, foundations, and organizations supporting the arts institution. Includes annual fund campaigns and major gift programs.
4. Corporate Sponsorships: Financial support from corporate sponsors in exchange for marketing visibility, brand association with performances, and hospitality opportunities. Includes corporate giving programs and media sponsorships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

State Theatre Center for the Arts is a nonprofit performing arts venue that presents live entertainment including Broadway tours, concerts, comedy shows, classical music, and family programming across a 1,549-seat mainstage. Complementary offerings include annual membership tiers with priority benefits, gift cards, facility rentals for private/corporate events, and educational programs such as the FREDDY Awards (regional high school musical theatre recognition), Summer Acting Camp, and free masterclasses.

Product overview

State Theatre Center for the Arts is a nonprofit performing arts center offering live entertainment through its core product of world-class performances and concerts, complemented by educational programs including the FREDDY Awards (high school musical theatre recognition), Summer Acting Camp, and Masterclasses. Additional revenue streams include membership tiers with exclusive benefits, facility rentals for events, gift cards, and the Win the Season Ultimate Pass raffle. The theatre has been serving the Lehigh Valley community since 1926 and is currently celebrating its 100th Season (2026-2027).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Live Performances World-class performing arts events including concerts, comedy shows, Broadway productions, classical music, and family entertainment across multiple genres. For community patrons in the Lehigh Valley region.
• Membership Programs Annual membership tiers including Stage Door ($75), Curtain Call ($125), Patron ($250), Producer ($500), Encore ($1000), Ovation ($1750), Star Performer ($2500), and Show Stopper ($5000+) offering presale access, priority seating, percentage discounts on tickets, exclusive event access, and playbill recognition. For arts patrons and supporters.
• Gift Cards Gift cards available in any denomination, redeemable for performances or membership levels. Physical cards incur $1 activation fee; online orders have $2.50 fulfillment for physical or $0.95 for virtual.
• FREDDY Awards High school musical theatre awards program producing live televised ceremony with WFMZ Channel 69. Serves schools in Lehigh, Northampton Counties (PA) and Warren County (NJ). Over $2 million in scholarships distributed since inception.
• Summer Acting Camp Two-week educational theatre camp for students in Grades 1-12 led by Denise Crawn of Prestige Productions, featuring Acting, Music, and Dance classes. July 6-17, 2026 with recital on July 18.
• Masterclasses Free educational masterclasses for high school students in Northampton, Lehigh, and Warren Counties. Made possible by Jeff Hunter Charitable Trust.
• Almost Titled Immersive creative writing workshop for playwrights, stand-up comedians, and stage writers. 21+ participants develop content over four Saturday sessions with guest speakers and actor readings.
• Facility Rentals Rental venues including 1500-seat Mainstage, Acopian Ballroom, Lehigh Valley Health Network Gallery, and Mezzanine/Lobby. Accommodates weddings, corporate events, and performances.
• Ultimate Pass Raffle Raffle offering winning patron two tickets to every 100th Season show (approximately 65 performances). Estimated prize value $10,400. Conducted under Pennsylvania Local Option Small Games of Chance Act.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Corporate SponsorscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsors provide financial support in exchange for brand visibility during performances, recognition in marketing materials, and hospitality opportunities. These partnerships are integral to the theatre's annual fundraising and operational support.
• Media SponsorscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia sponsors provide promotional support and advertising exposure in exchange for brand association with the theatre's programming. Includes radio stations and local media outlets that promote performances to their audiences.
• Community PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partners including local schools, nonprofit organizations, and civic groups collaborate on educational programming, volunteer coordination, and audience development initiatives.
• Regional Schools (FREDDY Awards)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with regional high schools for the FREDDY Awards program, enabling student participation in musical theatre recognition. Schools benefit from the educational opportunity while the theatre builds future audience engagement.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Arden Theatre Company: Philadelphia, PA-based nonprofit professional theater producing plays and musicals. Directly comparable as a smaller-scale Pennsylvania nonprofit regional theater with a producing and presenting model and educational programming focus.
• McCarter Theatre Center: Princeton, NJ-based nonprofit performing arts center presenting theater, dance, music, and family programming. Directly comparable as a Mid-Atlantic regional presenting venue with similar educational programming and donor-supported business model.
• Mayo Performing Arts Center: Morristown, NJ-based nonprofit performing arts center presenting concerts, family shows, comedy, and education programs. Directly comparable as a similarly-sized Mid-Atlantic regional presenting venue serving a comparable demographic market.
• Paper Mill Playhouse: Millburn, NJ-based nonprofit regional theater producing Broadway-scale musicals and plays. Directly comparable as a New Jersey nonprofit producing/presenting venue with similar audience demographics and educational programming in the Mid-Atlantic market.
• Walnut Street Theatre: America's oldest theatre (1809) operating as a nonprofit producing and presenting venue in Philadelphia, PA. Directly comparable as a Pennsylvania-based nonprofit performing arts institution serving a regional market with similar Broadway, education, and community programming.
• Hershey Theatre: Historic 1,900-seat performing arts venue in Hershey, PA presenting touring Broadway, concerts, and family shows. Directly comparable as a similarly-sized Pennsylvania regional performing arts center with comparable programming strategy and donor-supported operating model.
• American Music Theatre: Lancaster, PA-based nonprofit performing arts center presenting concerts, Broadway, and family programming. Directly comparable as a Pennsylvania-based regional presenting venue with similar programming mix and community-focused positioning.
• Bucks County Playhouse: Historic nonprofit regional theater in New Hope, PA producing and presenting plays, musicals, and concerts. Directly comparable as a Pennsylvania-based regional performing arts venue with similar community-focused programming and donor-supported operations.

Broad incumbents

• Pittsburgh Cultural Trust: Nonprofit arts organization operating multiple performance venues in Pittsburgh's Cultural District. Broader incumbent operating a multi-venue presenting platform with similar regional presenting and educational programming at greater scale.
• The Kimmel Center: Philadelphia's major performing arts complex (Verizon Hall, SEI Innovation Studio) operated as a nonprofit. Broader incumbent in the same regional market with a wider portfolio of resident companies, larger institutional capacity, and competing programming.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/StateTheatrePA
• Facebookfacebook.com/StateTheatrePA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/statetheatrepa

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 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 State Theatre