Surflight Theatre
Surflight Theatre is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional Equity theatre on Long Beach Island, NJ, producing a 7-month Mainstage season of Broadway-style musicals for vacationers and local residents, plus Children's Theatre, an ice-cream-parlour supper club, and tiered youth arts education programs (ages 3-18).
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1949
- HeadquartersBeach Haven, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Surflight Theatre does
Surflight Theatre, legally Ocean Professional Theatre Company (dba Surflight Theatre), is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional Equity theatre founded in 1950 and operating from Beach Haven on Long Beach Island, New Jersey. After a 2015 Chapter 7 closure, the organization reopened in 2017 under real-estate investor/producer Al Parinello with Steve Steiner as Producing Artistic Director and has since expanded into a 7-month May-to-December Mainstage season featuring Broadway-style licensed musicals (e.g., Guys and Dolls, Young Frankenstein, Pretty Woman: The Musical, 1776) in a 450-seat venue with a 40' x 24' stage. Revenue is diversified across ticket sales ($14-$46 per ticket), a $66.95-$75.95 group package channel with ten local restaurant partners, tax-deductible donations (STARS through DREAMMAKERS $50,000+ tiers), structured playbill advertising and season sponsorships ($450-$5,000 tiers), Children's Theatre programming, and the adjacent Show Place Ice Cream Parlour operating since 1975 with themed treats and performer-servers.
The customer base is geographically concentrated and seasonally driven, targeting Long Beach Island vacationers, Southern New Jersey residents, families with children, and group tour operators needing 15+ ticket-and-meal packages. A growing tiered education portfolio — Preschool Musical Theatre ($225), Youth ($350), Teen ($600), Mini Waitri ($550), and the Teen Apprentice Program — plus internship pipelines provide year-round youth programming. Distribution runs exclusively direct-to-consumer through the csstix.com platform and the on-site box office, with the company explicitly warning against ticket resellers in an effort to protect pricing integrity.
Operational infrastructure includes a 16-bedroom Cast House and adjacent Grey House enabling on-site housing for 50+ staff and actors, which underpins the intensive summer-stock production model. Marketing spans a Squarespace website, email newsletter, active Facebook presence, radio interviews on WOBM, earned media through Bay Magazine and Jersey Arts, and a YouTube video series ('The Al & Steve Show').
Surflight Theatre firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Surflight Theatre
- Legal name
- Ocean Professional Theatre Co.
- Website
- https://surflight.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1949
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Surflight Theatre is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional Equity theatre on Long Beach Island, NJ, producing a 7-month Mainstage season of Broadway-style musicals for vacationers and local residents, plus Children's Theatre, an ice-cream-parlour supper club, and tiered youth arts education programs (ages 3-18).
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Surflight Theatre industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Live Theatre / Performing Arts
- NAICS
- Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (71111), Performing Arts Companies (7111)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Musical Theatre (Non-Broadway/Fringe) (MPAGABAG)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM)
Keywords
Where Surflight Theatre is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Beach Haven
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
Surflight Theatre business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Ticket Sales: Primary revenue stream from Mainstage show tickets ($46 adults/seniors, $36 children), Children's Theatre tickets ($14), and concert/event tickets at varying prices
- Donations and Fundraising: 501(c)(3) nonprofit dependent on donor generosity; multiple donor levels from STARS ($40-$99) to DREAMMAKERS ($50,000+); tax-deductible donations
- Advertising and Sponsorships: Playbill advertisements (Back Cover $1,800, Full Page $950-$1,300, etc.); Season Sponsorship ($5,000); Children's Theatre Sponsorship ($150/week or $1,000/season)
- Concession Sales: The Show Place Ice Cream Parlour generates revenue from theatrical-themed ice cream, food, and beverages
- Educational Programs: Musical theatre summer programs for preschoolers ($225), youth ($350), teens ($600); Mini Waitri Program ($550); Teen Apprentice Program
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Mainstage Shows - Adults/Seniors |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Mainstage Shows - Children |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Children's Theatre |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Lunch & Matinée Package |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Matinée & Dinner Package |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Dinner & Evening Show Package |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Show Only for Groups |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Season Sponsorship |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Children's Theatre Sponsorship |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Surflight Theatre product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Surflight Theatre is a professional Equity summer stock theatre presenting Broadway-style musical productions on its Mainstage for a 7-month season, alongside a Children's Theatre series and The Show Place Ice Cream Parlour (a cabaret-style dining experience). The venue operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and also runs musical theatre education programs for children and teens, group dining packages with partner restaurants, and a playbill advertising program.
Product overview
Surflight Theatre, operated by Ocean Professional Theatre Company (dba Surflight Theatre), is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional live theatre offering a portfolio of performing arts products. The core offerings include Mainstage Productions (Broadway-style musicals and plays presented 7 months/year) and Children's Theatre (weekly productions for ages 2-10). Supporting products include The Show Place Ice Cream Parlour (cabaret-style dining since 1975), Musical Theatre Summer Programs (preschool, youth, and teen camps), the Teen Apprentice Program, the Mini Waitri Program, Group Packages, Playbill Advertising, and donations. The Al & Steve Show is a video content series providing behind-the-scenes production insights. Ticket prices range from $14.00 to $49.50 for mainstage shows, with Children's Theatre tickets at $14.00.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Mainstage Productions Broadway-style professional musical and play productions presented during a 7-month season (May–December). The 2026 season includes A Grand Night for Singing, Guys and Dolls, Young Frankenstein, Pretty Woman: The Musical, 1776, Ghost The Musical, Vanities: The Musical, Deceived, and Holiday Inn. Tickets priced at $46 for adults/seniors and $36 for children.
- Children's Theatre Weekly theatrical productions designed for children ages 2-10 to promote lifelong interest in performing arts. Runs from June 24 through September 6, featuring shows such as Snow White, Peter Pan, Little Mermaid, Aladdin JR., Cinderella, and Wizard of Oz. All tickets priced at $14.00.
- The Show Place Ice Cream Parlour Cabaret and ice cream dining experience featuring theatrically-themed ice cream creations and performer-servers (Waitri) who entertain guests with singing and dancing. Open from early June through September 6th.
- Musical Theatre Summer Programs
Companies that use Surflight Theatre
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Surflight Theatre technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Surflight Theatre partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Black WhaleminorLocal restaurant partner for group lunch and dinner packages with theatre shows; part of group sales program for 15+ guests
- Jersey GirlminorLocal restaurant partner for group lunch and dinner packages with theatre shows; part of group sales program for 15+ guests
- BuckalewsminorLocal restaurant partner for group lunch and dinner packages with theatre shows; part of group sales program for 15+ guests
- CallowaysminorLocal restaurant partner for group lunch and dinner packages with theatre shows; part of group sales program for 15+ guests
- The EnglesideminorLocal restaurant partner for group lunch and dinner packages with theatre shows; part of group sales program for 15+ guests
- Lefty's TavernminorLocal restaurant partner for group lunch and dinner packages with theatre shows; part of group sales program for 15+ guests
- The MarlinminorLocal restaurant partner for group lunch and dinner packages with theatre shows; part of group sales program for 15+ guests
- PanzonesminorLocal restaurant partner for group lunch and dinner packages with theatre shows; part of group sales program for 15+ guests
- Russo's Italian RestaurantminorLocal restaurant partner for group lunch and dinner packages with theatre shows; part of group sales program for 15+ guests
- The WaterfrontminorLocal restaurant partner for group lunch and dinner packages with theatre shows; part of group sales program for 15+ guests
- New Jersey State Council on the ArtsminorState arts council providing funding support to nonprofit theatre organizations in New Jersey
- Ocean County Cultural & Heritage CommissionminorCounty-level cultural funding through NJ State Council on the Arts grants
- New Jersey Cultural TrustminorProvided funding for new HVAC units; state cultural infrastructure support
- Music Theatre International (MTI)coreLicensing partner for Broadway musicals including Guys and Dolls, Young Frankenstein; enables professional productions through licensing agreements
- Concord TheatricalscoreLicensing partner for A Grand Night for Singing, Vanities: The Musical; enables professional productions through licensing agreements
- Bay MagazineminorLocal media sponsor for 2026 season; featured in summer edition celebrating 75th anniversary
- The Cheese Shoppe of LBIminorLocal business sponsor for 2026 season
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves11 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Surflight Theatre competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Goodspeed Musicals: Mission-driven musical theatre producer in East Haddam, CT, focused exclusively on musicals including new works and revivals — closely comparable in programming focus (musicals only) and professional/regional positioning.
- Mac-Haydn Theatre: Professional summer musical theatre in Chatham, NY, presenting Broadway revivals on an intensive seasonal schedule — directly comparable in musical-focused programming and summer stock economics.
- Barn Theatre: Professional summer theatre in Augusta, MI, presenting musicals and plays in a small venue with seasonal staffing — comparable in professional summer-stock format, scale, and family programming.
- Flat Rock Playhouse: Professional regional summer theatre in Flat Rock, NC, with a multi-month season of musicals and plays — comparable as an established professional summer-stock house with similar programming mix.
- Cape Playhouse: America's oldest professional summer theatre (Dennis, MA), presenting a seasonal lineup of plays and musicals in a small coastal venue — closely comparable in scale, seasonal cadence, and vacation-market customer base.
- Theatre By The Sea: Professional summer theatre in Wakefield, RI presenting Broadway musicals and plays in a small coastal venue — directly comparable in scale, seasonal model, and beach-vacation customer base.
- Ogunquit Playhouse: Historic summer-stock professional theatre in Ogunquit, Maine, presenting Broadway musicals and plays during a seasonal run — directly comparable to Surflight's professional summer-stock model and vacation-destination positioning.
- Peninsula Players Theatre: Professional summer theatre in Door County, WI, in a vacation destination, presenting plays and musicals on a seasonal schedule — directly comparable in vacation-market positioning and professional summer-stock model.
- Bucks County Playhouse: Revived regional professional theatre in New Hope, PA, presenting Broadway musicals in a small historic venue — comparable as a regional Equity summer-stock competitor in the broader Mid-Atlantic market.
Regional players
- Paper Mill Playhouse: Established year-round professional regional theatre in Millburn, NJ — comparable in geography (NJ) and Equity professional status but operates at larger scale, year-round, and competes for the same regional talent pool.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Surflight Theatre social profiles
Digital presenceSurflight Theatre financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Surflight Theatre leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Surflight Theatre subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Surflight Theatre funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Surflight Theatre M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Surflight Theatre
What does Surflight Theatre do?
Surflight Theatre is a professional Equity summer stock theatre presenting Broadway-style musical productions on its Mainstage for a 7-month season, alongside a Children's Theatre series and The Show Place Ice Cream Parlour (a cabaret-style dining experience). The venue operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and also runs musical theatre education programs for children and teens, group dining packages with partner restaurants, and a playbill advertising program.
Is Surflight Theatre a public or private company?
Surflight Theatre is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Surflight Theatre founded?
Surflight Theatre was founded in 1949. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Surflight Theatre based?
Surflight Theatre is headquartered in Beach Haven, United States, in the North America region.
How does Surflight Theatre make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Ticket Sales are the primary driver. The others are donations and Fundraising, advertising and Sponsorships, concession Sales and educational Programs.
Who are Surflight Theatre's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Goodspeed Musicals, Mac-Haydn Theatre, Barn Theatre, Flat Rock Playhouse, Cape Playhouse, Theatre By The Sea, Ogunquit Playhouse, Peninsula Players Theatre and Bucks County Playhouse. Paper Mill Playhouse is listed as a regional player.
Does Surflight Theatre have an API?
No public API is recorded for Surflight Theatre.
What industry is Surflight Theatre in?
Surflight Theatre's product category is Live Theatre / Performing Arts. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGABAG, Musical Theatre (Non-Broadway/Fringe), with a secondary code of MPAGABAM, Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking). Its NAICS code is 71111 and its SIC code is 7900.