Fox Cities Performing Arts Center

What Fox Cities Performing Arts Center does

Fox Cities Performing Arts Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit performing arts venue established in 2002 in Appleton, Wisconsin, operating two main performance spaces: Thrivent Hall (the first Broadway presenting theater in Wisconsin with hearing loop technology) and the Kimberly-Clark Theater. The Center presents a portfolio of six core series: the Kimberly-Clark Broadway Across America - Fox Cities Series (touring Broadway, averaging 95,000 tickets per season), the Boldt Arts Alive! Series (international cultural performances, 14,000 tickets per season), the Menasha Corporation Spotlight Series (intimate productions), the Viewpoint Speaker Series, the Community First Community Engagement Series, and the Amcor Education Series (serving 24,000 K-12 students annually). Educational programming extends to the Center Stage High School Musical Theater Program, which engaged 2,200+ students from 34 high schools in its 2025-26 season and has cumulatively reached 500,000+ students through the Amcor Education Series since opening.

The business model is a hybrid earned-revenue and philanthropic model. Earned revenue is generated through ticket sales (single, group of 10+, season subscriptions, Flex Pass), concessions via the Toast-powered Fox Cities P.A.C. mobile app, venue rentals (including the Entrance 21 Luxury Suite), and special event hosting. Donations from individuals and corporate partners account for nearly half of operating revenue, with corporate sponsorships at tiers ranging from $2,500 to $50,000 and named title partners including Kimberly-Clark, Amcor, Thrivent, Boldt, and Menasha Corporation. Distribution is dual-channel: an owned ticket office (phone, in-person, group sales) and Ticketmaster as the authorized online seller with all-in pricing. Accessibility is a notable differentiator, with KultureCity sensory-inclusive certification, hearing loops, assistive listening devices, audio description via LiveVoice, and closed captioning via GalaPro.

The Center serves three primary customer segments: K-12 students and educators across Northeast Wisconsin (Brown, Calumet, Door, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Kewaunee, Oconto, Outagamie, Manitowoc, Shawano, Sheboygan, Waupaca, Waushara, and Winnebago counties), high school musical theater students, and general public patrons. Supporting infrastructure includes the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra residency, the P.A.T.H.S. Program for underserved youth, the Community Ticket Donation Program for local nonprofits, and the NEW PAC professional advocacy committee. Leadership includes President and CEO Maria Van Laanen; the organization operates with 51-100 employees and is governed by a Board of Directors under EIN 39-1977839.

Name

Fox Cities Performing Arts Center

Legal name

Fox Cities Performing Arts Center

Website

https://foxcitiespac.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit venue in Appleton, Wisconsin, presenting touring Broadway, performing arts, and educational programming to the public and K-12 students across Northeast Wisconsin through two theaters and a multi-series calendar.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Venue & Live Entertainment

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711), Performing Arts Companies (7111), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (71111)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), 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), Performing Arts & Cultural Event Venues (Theaters, Museums) (THAHAAAG), Multipurpose Event Center Operations (Civic Centers, Community Event Complexes) (MPAGALAE), Theater, Musicals & Performing Arts (THAJAFAB)

Keywords

• Performing arts venue
• Broadway touring productions
• Live event presenting
• Arts education programming
• Venue rental services

Headquarters

HQ city

Appleton

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, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from single tickets, season ticket packages, group sales, and flex pass subscriptions for Broadway shows, arts performances, and speaker events. Average of 95,000 Broadway tickets and 14,000 Boldt Arts Alive! tickets are purchased each season.
2. Individual and Corporate Donations: Annual Partner gifts at various levels from individuals and businesses, matching gift programs, IRA distributions, stock donations, and commemorative gifts support nearly half of the organization's operating revenue.
3. Sponsorship and Show Partnerships: Corporate sponsorships at various levels including show performance partnerships (Amcor Education Series at $6,000, Spotlight Series at $6,000, Boldt Arts Alive! at $12,000, Broadway Across America at $30,000-$50,000), series title partnerships, and special event sponsorships including The Gala and à la cARTe! fundraising events.
4. Concessions and Mobile Ordering: Revenue from food and beverage sales including premium liquors, wines, domestic and import beers, soft drinks, coffee and bottled water. Mobile ordering through Toast Takeout app and Fox Cities P.A.C. mobile app generates additional concession revenue.
5. Facility Rental and Event Hosting: The center hosts events and offers venue rental opportunities including the Entrances 21 Luxury Suite, corporate events, and meeting space. Promoter services are available for external event organizers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Fox Cities Performing Arts Center operates two performance venues (Thrivent Hall and Kimberly-Clark Theater) in Appleton, Wisconsin, presenting touring Broadway productions, cultural arts performances, speaker events, and educational programs. The center sells tickets through subscriptions, single-ticket, group, and flex pass channels; rents its venues for corporate and private events; and generates roughly half of operating revenue from individual and corporate donations and sponsorships.

Product overview

Fox Cities Performing Arts Center is a nonprofit performing arts venue in Appleton, Wisconsin operating two main theaters: Thrivent Hall and Kimberly-Clark Theater. The center presents a portfolio of performance series including the Kimberly-Clark Broadway Across America Series (touring Broadway), Boldt Arts Alive! Series (international cultural performances), Menasha Corporation Spotlight Series (intimate performances), Viewpoint Speaker Series, Community Engagement Series, Amcor Education Series, and hosts Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra. Education initiatives include the Center Stage High School Musical Theater Program and scholarship ticket programs. The center offers comprehensive accessibility services including hearing loops, assistive listening devices, audio description via LiveVoice app, closed captioning via GalaPro app, sign language interpretation, and sensory-inclusive performances certified through KultureCity. Additional offerings include venue rentals, group sales, gift cards, Flex Pass subscriptions, and special events like the annual Gala and à la cARTe! fundraiser.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Amcor Education Series: Education series connecting classroom lessons to live performing arts experiences for students in grades PreK through 12
• Boldt Arts Alive! Series
• Menasha Corporation Spotlight Series
• Viewpoint Speaker Series
• Center Stage High School Musical Theater Program
• P.A.T.H.S. Program
• Broadway Across America - Fox Cities Series
• Community First Community Engagement Series
• NEW PAC
• Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra
• Keystone Fund
• Community Ticket Donation Program
• Community Rush Ticket Program
• Student Rush

Products and services

• Kimberly-Clark Broadway Across America Series Subscription and individual ticket series presenting touring Broadway productions in Thrivent Hall, with approximately 95,000 tickets sold per season. Includes shows such as & Juliet, Hell's Kitchen, and other touring Broadway titles.
• Boldt Arts Alive! Series
• Menasha Corporation Spotlight Series Intimate, interactive performance series held in the Kimberly-Clark Theater, enabling close engagement between performers and audiences.
• Viewpoint Speaker Series Speaker series featuring engaging presenters sharing personal stories paired with vivid imagery, with the option to be paired with Spotlight or Arts Alive! performances via Flex Pass.
• Community First Community Engagement Series Community engagement programming including preshow discussions, family activities, and interactive workshops tied to scheduled performances.
• Amcor Education Series Daytime school-time performances for grades PreK through 12 connecting classroom curriculum to live performing arts, averaging 24,000 students annually and 477 performances per school year, with 12 different program titles.
• Center Stage High School Musical Theater Program Regional musical theater program for high school students across 14 Northeast Wisconsin counties, with workshops, masterclasses, mentorship from arts professionals, regional adjudicators, and a year-end Showcase celebration with Jimmy Awards nominations. Involves approximately 2,000-2,200 students from 34 high schools per season.
• Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra Performances Hosted performances by the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra at the center.
• Thrivent Hall Venue Rental
• Kimberly-Clark Theater Venue Rental Intimate theater space available for venue rental, hosting Spotlight Series performances and smaller productions. Includes hearing loop technology.
• Entrance 21 Luxury Suite Premium suite for VIP events, corporate gatherings, and private experiences at the center.
• Flex Pass Subscription Subscription ticket package offering savings of up to 20% on most titles in the Boldt Arts Alive! and Menasha Corporation Spotlight Series when three or more shows are selected, with full payment or payment plan options.
• Group Sales Group ticket sales for parties of 10 or more offering advance seating access and discounts before public on-sale.
• Gift Cards Gift cards that allow recipients to choose their own shows, dates, and seats at the center.
• The Gala Fundraising Event Annual black-tie fundraising gala held the Thursday before Memorial Day Weekend, with sponsorship tiers ranging from $2,500 Inspiration Sponsor to $50,000 Presenting Sponsor.
• à la cARTe! Fundraising Event Annual fundraising celebration embracing art, creativity, and community spirit, with sponsorship opportunities up to $25,000.
• Fox Cities P.A.C. Mobile App Mobile application providing ticket access, mobile food and beverage ordering through Toast Takeout, and event information.
• Annual Partner Giving Program Annual giving program offering tiered benefits in exchange for contributions from individuals and businesses, supporting nearly half of the center's operating revenue. Business-specific benefits begin at the $6,000 Silver Partner level.
• Concessions and Mobile Food and Beverage On-site concessions selling premium liquors, wines, domestic and import beers, soft drinks, coffee, and bottled water, with mobile pre-ordering via the Fox Cities P.A.C. app and Toast Takeout.

Quantifiable outcome

• 500,000+ students have participated in the Amcor Education Series since 2002
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Partnerships

38 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• AmcorflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerAmcor is the title partner of the Amcor Education Series, which connects classroom lessons to live performing arts experiences for grades pre-K through 12. An average of 24,000 students attend these daytime school performances annually.
• Kimberly-ClarkflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerKimberly-Clark is the title sponsor of the Broadway Across America - Fox Cities Series and partners on the Spotlight Series. The Kimberly-Clark Theater is named after the company. An average of 95,000 Broadway tickets are purchased each season.
• ThriventcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThrivent is the title sponsor of Thrivent Hall and provides general sponsorship support. The center features Thrivent Hall as its primary performance venue.
• BoldtcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBoldt is the title sponsor of the Boldt Arts Alive! Series, which brings arts and cultures from around the world to the Fox Cities stage. An average of 14,000 tickets are purchased each season.
• Menasha CorporationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMenasha Corporation is the title sponsor of the Menasha Corporation Spotlight Series, which brings intimate, interactive experiences to the Kimberly-Clark Theater.
• Broadway Across AmericacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBroadway Across America is the presenter of touring Broadway productions at the center, coordinating the Broadway season that brings shows like & Juliet, Hell's Kitchen, and other touring productions to Northeast Wisconsin.
• Community First Credit UnioncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity First Credit Union is a community partner and supports the Community First Community Engagement Series, which includes preshow discussions, family activities, and interactive workshops.
• Fox Valley PrideminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFox Valley Pride partners with the center to have an information booth during performances like & Juliet (June 2-7), promoting Pride Month visibility and community inclusivity.
• KultureCitycoreTechnology or IntegrationKultureCity provides sensory-inclusive certification for the center, enabling sensory bags, headphone zones, quiet areas, and sensory-inclusive performances for patrons with autism and sensory sensitivities.
• Associated BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociated Bank is listed as a community partner supporting the center's operations and events.
• Women's Health SpecialistsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWomen's Health Specialists partners with the center on the Parent Suite located on the Dress Circle Level, providing a quiet, private space for lactation and parent needs during visits.
• TicketmastercoreTechnology or IntegrationTicketmaster serves as the authorized online ticketing platform for the center, handling all online ticket sales with all-in pricing that shows full ticket cost including fees upfront.
• 4 ImprintminorGTM or Marketing Partner4 Imprint is a community partner listed on the center's website, providing promotional products support.
• Alta ResourcesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAlta Resources is a community partner supporting the center's operations.
• BergstromminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBergstrom is listed as a community partner, likely providing automotive-related sponsorship or support.
• Capital Credit UnionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCapital Credit Union supports the center as a community partner and through gift matching programs.
• Excel EngineerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerExcel Engineer is listed as a community partner supporting the center.
• Fox Communities Credit UnionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFox Communities Credit Union is a corporate partner and program partner for the Center Stage High School Musical Theater Program.
• Grant ThorntonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGrant Thornton is a community partner providing professional services support.
• Heid MusicminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHeid Music is a program partner for the Center Stage High School Musical Theater Program and community partner.
• Hilton Appleton Paper ValleyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHilton Paper Valley is the preferred hotel partner offering 388 guest rooms near the center with free shuttle service and special rates for center patrons.
• Johnson Financial GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerJohnson Financial Group is a program partner for the Center Stage High School Musical Theater Program.
• Miller WeldsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMiller Welds is listed as a community partner and supports the Boldt Company Beyond the Stage Education Program.
• Miron ConstructionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMiron Construction is listed as a community partner supporting the center.
• Nicolet BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNicolet Bank is a program partner for the Center Stage High School Musical Theater Program.
• Oshkosh CorporationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOshkosh Corporation is a community partner listed on the center's website.
• PlexusminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlexus is a community partner supporting the center.
• SchneiderminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSchneider is a community partner and supports the Boldt Company Beyond the Stage Education Program.
• SecuraminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSecura is listed as a community partner supporting the center.
• ThedaCareminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThedaCare is a community partner listed on the center's website.
• Vandehey ConstructionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVandehey Construction is a community partner supporting the center.
• We EnergiesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWe Energies is a community partner listed on the center's website.
• WipfliminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWipfli is a program partner for the Center Stage High School Musical Theater Program and community partner.
• Best Western Premier Bridgewood Resort HotelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPreferred hotel partner offering full-service resort experience with 133 guest rooms, aquatic center, and proximity to downtown Appleton.
• CopperLeaf Hotel + SpaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPreferred hotel partner offering 85 well-appointed guestrooms and suites in the heart of Appleton.
• Courtyard by Marriott Appleton RiverfrontminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPreferred hotel partner along the Fox River in the RiverHeath District with easy access to the center.
• Fairfield Inn & Suites AppletonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPreferred hotel partner near the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center and other local attractions.
• Show Biz TwominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorShow Biz Two is the presenter of Stayin' Alive, a Bee Gees tribute production at the center.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Broadway Across America: National touring Broadway presenter and Fox Cities PAC's content partner, presenting Broadway across multiple U.S. markets. Compares as the upstream incumbent supplying the Center's flagship content and sharing economics across the broader Broadway touring network.
• Nederlander Organization: Major national theater operator and Broadway presenter with venues and touring productions across the U.S. Compares as a broad incumbent in live Broadway presenting that defines the touring economics and content pipeline the Center relies on.

Direct peers

• Saenger Theatre (New Orleans): Historic New Orleans performing arts venue presenting Broadway touring productions, symphony, and educational programs. Comparable mid-size regional Broadway presenter with similar theater-venue operational model.
• Marcus Performing Arts Center: Milwaukee-based nonprofit performing arts center presenting Broadway touring productions and resident arts organizations. Directly comparable as a Wisconsin-based Broadway presenting venue with similar series structure (Broadway, education, community programming) and corporate-sponsor-driven model.
• Weidner Center for the Performing Arts: Green Bay, Wisconsin performing arts venue presenting touring Broadway, concerts, and family shows. Comparable as a Wisconsin-based Broadway presenting venue serving the same Northeast Wisconsin/Fox Valley regional audience pool.
• Chrysler Hall: Norfolk, Virginia performing arts center operated by the city's cultural affairs department presenting Broadway touring series and education programs. Comparable as a municipally/community-supported Broadway presenting venue with education-focused mission.
• Overture Center for the Arts: Madison, Wisconsin nonprofit performing arts center operating multiple halls with touring Broadway, performing arts, and education programming. Highly comparable as a multi-venue, mission-driven Wisconsin competitor targeting similar Broadway and cultural audiences in the same state.
• Wharton Center for Performing Arts: Michigan State University-affiliated performing arts center in East Lansing presenting Broadway touring series, education programming, and community engagement initiatives. Directly comparable mid-size regional Broadway presenting venue with educational-outreach mission.
• Civic Center of Greater Des Moines: Des Moines, Iowa nonprofit multipurpose venue hosting Broadway touring productions, concerts, family shows, and conventions. Comparable as a Midwestern nonprofit civic venue with Broadway presenting, education programs, and corporate sponsorship model.
• Riverside Theater: Milwaukee theater operated by Pabst Theater Group presenting Broadway tours, concerts, and comedy. Comparable as a Wisconsin-based Broadway presenting venue with similar touring-production economics and corporate-sponsorship model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/foxcitiespac
• YouTubeyoutube.com/foxcitiespac
• Facebookfacebook.com/FoxCitiesPerformingArtsCenter
• Instagraminstagram.com/foxcitiespac
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fox-cities-performing-arts-ctr

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Fox Cities Performing Arts Center