Syracuse Scenery & Stage Lighting

What Syracuse Scenery & Stage Lighting does

Syracuse Scenery & Stage Lighting Co., Inc. is a privately held, woman-owned specialty contractor that manufactures, supplies, and installs theatrical equipment, including custom-fabricated stage curtains, rigging systems, theatrical lighting, and curtain tracks. Established in the 1920s and incorporated in 1969, the company operates from a 25,000 sq. ft. owned facility in Liverpool, New York, and serves K-12 schools, colleges and universities, and performing arts venues primarily across the Northeast US. Its custom curtain work is produced in an 8,500 sq. ft. purpose-built sewing room equipped with specialized color-matching lighting, and the company describes itself as one of the largest curtain manufacturers in the United States. Beyond fabrication, the firm is an authorized dealer for approximately 50 equipment manufacturers (including Strand, Chauvet, Altman, Vari-Lite, City Theatrical, and Rosco), distributes specialty products such as scenic paint, makeup, and effects, and rents theatrical equipment on a pickup-only basis.

The business model is B2B and project-based, with no e-commerce channel and pricing communicated via downloadable catalog and quote requests. Revenue is generated across four streams: custom curtain fabrication, dealer/resale of theatrical equipment, professional installation services, and equipment rentals. The installation business is supported by ETCP Certified Rigging and Entertainment Electrician personnel, IATSE Local 9 stagehands, and a Strand Certified Technician, and every project ships with a customized Operations and Maintenance Manual. Go-to-market is direct sales via phone, fax, and email, supplemented by annual USITT Conference and Stage Expo exhibitions and active membership in ESTA, USITT, and ETCP.

Strategically the company is small (~12 documented staff), narrowly specialized, and has been under Christine Kaiser's ownership since 1984 with no external funding, no parent company, and no disclosed M&A activity. Its near-term operating posture is defined by two installation-technician job postings issued in February 2025 and an updated catalog and price list released in March 2026, indicating modest capacity build-out within a stable, single-vertical, single-region footprint.

Name

Syracuse Scenery & Stage Lighting

Legal name

Syracuse Scenery & Stage Lighting Co., Inc.

Website

https://syracusescenery.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1920

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Syracuse Scenery & Stage Lighting is a woman-owned specialty contractor that manufactures custom stage curtains and installs rigging, lighting, and tracks for schools, colleges, and theaters across the Northeast US.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Theatrical Equipment & Stage Contracting

NAICS

Curtain and Linen Mills (31412), Other Furniture Related Product Manufacturing (3379)

SIC

Miscellaneous Furniture & Fixtures (2590)

akta.pro primary industry

Window Coverings Manufacturing (Curtains/Drapes/Sheers/Valances) (IMAOAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Event Technical Production Management & Crew (MPAGAKAH), Commercial Lighting Fixture Installation (HSAOAFAM), Custom Drapery & Made-to-Measure Window Coverings Retail (CRAIAKAD), Temporary Structures (Truss Roofs, Tents, Barricades) (MPAGAKAK)

Keywords

• Stage curtain fabrication
• Theatrical equipment supply
• Stage rigging installation
• Theatrical lighting systems
• Stage equipment rentals

Headquarters

HQ city

Liverpool

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Theatrical Equipment and Supplies Sales: Sale of curtains, fabrics, tracks, rigging equipment, stage hardware, scenic paint, lighting equipment, special effects, makeup, and general equipment and supplies. Company acts as a theatrical dealer offering products from multiple manufacturers.
2. Custom Curtain Fabrication: Custom-fabricated stage curtains to customer specifications. All curtains are manufactured to order with custom sizes, fabrics, and designs including monograms.
3. Installation Services: Professional installation of theatrical equipment including curtains, rigging, lighting, and tracks. Services include design consultation, specifications, and installation for educational institutions and theaters.
4. Equipment Rentals: Rental of stage equipment including masking curtains, pipe and drape, theatrical light fixtures, LED wash fixtures, followspots, dimmers, consoles, cables, and special effects. Pickup-only availability.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Syracuse Scenery & Stage Lighting Co., Inc. is a specialty contractor and theatrical dealer that custom-fabricates stage curtains in its 8,500 sq. ft. sewing room and supplies, installs, and services stage rigging, lighting, tracks, and related theatrical equipment. The company also acts as a dealer reselling products from approximately 50 manufacturers and offers equipment rentals for events and productions.

Product overview

Syracuse Scenery & Stage Lighting Co., Inc. is a specialty contractor and theatrical dealer providing custom-fabricated stage curtains, rigging, lighting, and tracks, along with installation, training, and repair services. The company operates from a 25,000 sq. ft. facility in Liverpool, NY, and is one of the largest curtain manufacturers in the United States. Their product portfolio consists of: (1) Custom stage curtains fabricated to specifications in their 8,500 sq. ft. sewing room; (2) Stage rigging equipment, installation, and safety inspections; (3) Lighting design, installation, and authorized repair services; (4) A broad range of resale products including fabrics, tracks, rigging equipment, stage hardware, scenic paint, lighting equipment, special effects, and makeup from approximately 50 manufacturers; and (5) Rental equipment including stage curtains, pipe and drape, theatrical fixtures, LED wash fixtures, followspots, dimmers, consoles, cables, and special effects. The company also offers customized Operations & Maintenance Manuals for installed projects.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Custom Stage Curtain Fabrication Custom-fabricated stage curtains built to customer specifications, including Austrian curtains, straight lift brail curtains, and custom fabric options with monograms, manufactured in-house.
• Stage Rigging Services Stage rigging equipment supply, installation, safety inspections, renovation, and training services for theatrical rigging systems, performed by ETCP Certified Rigging professionals.
• Theatrical Lighting Services Theatrical lighting design, specification, installation, training, and repair services for dimming systems, consoles, and luminaries, delivered with ETCP Entertainment Electrician and Strand Certified Technician credentials.
• Theatrical Equipment Dealer Products Resale of theatrical equipment and supplies including fabrics, tracks, rigging equipment, stage hardware, scenic paint, lighting equipment, special effects, and makeup from approximately 50 manufacturers including Altman, Chauvet, Elation, Rosco, Strand, Vari-lite, Apollo Design, Ben Nye, Clear-Com, City Theatrical, Lee Filters, and Automatic Devices.
• Stage Equipment Rentals Rental of stage equipment including masking curtains, pipe and drape, theatrical light fixtures, LED wash fixtures, followspots, dimmers, consoles, power/DMX/adapter cables, and special effects, with pickup-only availability.
• Stage Curtain Track Systems Stage curtain track systems and equipment supplied and installed for theatrical and event installations.
• Sak-O-Sand™ Sandbags Proprietary Sak-O-Sand™ sandbag product manufactured for stage and theatrical applications.

Named customers12 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ESTA (Entertainment Services and Technology Association)coreOthersNon-profit trade association for entertainment technology industries. Syracuse Scenery is a founding and proud member. Company actively participates in ESTA Standards-making and is an active member of the TSP Rigging Working Group. Also an Investor in Innovation, financially supporting the Technical Standards Program.
• ETCP (Entertainment Technician Certification Program)coreOthersEntertainment Technician Certification Program. Syracuse Scenery is an ETCP Recognized Employer, demonstrating commitment to enhancement of safety and reduction of risk in the workplace. Company employs ETCP Certified Technicians and encourages additional employee certification.
• USITT (United States Institute for Theatre Technology)coreOthersConnecting performing arts design and technology communities. Syracuse Scenery has been a Contributing member since 1987 and earlier a Sustaining member. Company supports the Institute with company-supported volunteer hours of USITT work.
• Automatic Devices CompanyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorManufacturer of automatic track systems. Syracuse Scenery carries their products for resale and installation.
• Altman LightingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStage and architectural lighting manufacturer. Syracuse Scenery carries their products for resale and installation.
• Apollo DesignminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLighting effects manufacturer. Syracuse Scenery carries their products for resale and installation.
• Ben NyeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMakeup manufacturer for theater and film. Syracuse Scenery carries their products for resale.
• Chauvet ProfessionalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProfessional lighting equipment manufacturer. Syracuse Scenery carries their products for resale and installation.
• City TheatricalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTheatrical lighting and rigging equipment manufacturer. Syracuse Scenery carries their products for resale and installation.
• Clear-ComminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProfessional intercom and communications equipment. Syracuse Scenery carries their products for resale.
• ElationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProfessional lighting equipment manufacturer. Syracuse Scenery carries their products for resale and installation.
• Lee FiltersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLighting filter and gel manufacturer. Syracuse Scenery carries their products for resale.
• RoscominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEntertainment lighting, scenery, and film products manufacturer. Syracuse Scenery carries their products for resale.
• StrandminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLighting control and equipment manufacturer. Syracuse Scenery carries their products for resale and installation. Company has Strand Certified Technician on staff.
• Vari-liteminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAutomated lighting manufacturer. Syracuse Scenery carries their products for resale and installation.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Rose Brand: Rose Brand is one of the largest US suppliers of theatrical fabrics, custom stage curtains, and fabrication services. Directly comparable as a custom curtain manufacturer serving the same education, theater, and event production customer base.
• Barbizon Lighting: Barbizon supplies theatrical and architectural lighting equipment, controls, and rigging to entertainment and architectural markets. Comparable as a lighting and rigging dealer/installer with deep relationships to the same manufacturer brands Syracuse Scenery carries.
• Wenger Corporation: Wenger manufactures stage equipment, theatrical rigging, acoustic shells, and audience seating for performing arts venues and schools. Comparable as a full-scope theatrical equipment provider serving the same education and performing arts markets.
• Texas Scenic Company: Texas Scenic Company provides stage rigging, curtains, lighting, and theatrical equipment installation for schools, theaters, and performance venues. Directly comparable as a specialty theatrical contractor with design-build and installation services.
• Dazian: Dazian is a US theatrical textile and drapery fabricator supplying curtains, scenic fabrics, and specialty textiles to entertainment and event markets. Comparable as a custom stage curtain and drapery manufacturer with installation services.
• StageRight Corporation: StageRight manufactures portable staging, rigging, and theatrical equipment serving schools, churches, and performance venues. Comparable in product overlap (rigging, curtains, hardware) and customer base (K-12 and performing arts).
• J.R. Clancy: J.R. Clancy is a long-established Syracuse-based theatrical rigging and stage equipment manufacturer. Directly comparable as a rigging and stage hardware specialist; Syracuse Scenery's origins trace back to a former Clancy employee.

Broad incumbents

• 4Wall Entertainment: 4Wall is a large US entertainment lighting and rigging vendor with rental, sales, and integration services. Overlaps with Syracuse Scenery's lighting equipment resale and installation offerings, though 4Wall's primary scale is in production rental.
• Electronic Theatre Controls (ETC): ETC is a leading manufacturer of theatrical lighting fixtures, controls, and rigging systems. Comparable as a technology supplier whose products Syracuse Scenery specifies, installs, and services as an authorized dealer.

Regional players

• Mainstage Theatrical Supply: Mainstage is a theatrical equipment dealer and installer serving the Midwest US with curtains, rigging, and lighting. Comparable product/service mix, though operating in a different geographic region than Syracuse Scenery's Northeast base.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/961428923924908
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/syracuse-scenery-and-stage-lighting-co-inc

Compliance1 record

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 Syracuse Scenery & Stage Lighting