What Syracuse Stage does

Syracuse Stage is a non-profit professional theatre company founded in 1974 and operating in residence at Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York. The legal entity, S.U. Theatre Corporation, produces approximately six mainstage productions per season, encompassing plays, musicals, new works, and bold interpretations of classics. The company serves as the professional counterpart to Syracuse University's Department of Drama, co-producing one show per season and enabling students to work alongside professional actors, directors, and designers while accumulating credits toward Actors' Equity Association membership.

The company's product portfolio spans core theatrical productions, season subscription packages (3Play and 5Play tiers), educational programs (Summer@Stage, Theatre for the Very Young, Young Playwrights Festival, Young Adult Council), corporate partnerships and sponsorships, individual giving programs with tiered benefits starting at $35, group ticket sales for parties of 10 or more, and venue rentals for corporate events. Supporting infrastructure includes a Salesforce-based ticketing platform, a Squarespace website, an email newsletter, and the Syracuse (On)Stage podcast. Operational scale is anchored by a 70,000+ annual patron base drawn from more than a dozen Upstate New York counties and educational outreach serving 15,000+ students across 14 counties annually.

Revenue is generated across diversified streams: individual ticket sales, subscription packages, individual donations (with Angels at $120-$1,199 and Circles at $1,200+ levels plus $3/month recurring giving), corporate sponsorships for production underwriting, educational programs, and venue rentals. The company holds a 4-star Charity Navigator rating, a Candid Gold designation, and is a member of LORT and a TCG constituent. Forward seasons through 26/27 are already announced, and the organization recently formalized its executive leadership with the January 2025 appointment of a Managing Director while planning for the Summer 2027 transition of its long-tenured Artistic Director.

Name

Syracuse Stage

Legal name

S.U. Theatre Corporation

Website

https://syracusestage.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Syracuse Stage is a non-profit professional theatre company founded in 1974 in residence at Syracuse University, producing approximately six mainstage productions per season alongside educational programs, season subscriptions, and corporate partnerships for patrons across Central and Upstate New York.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts / Live Theatre

NAICS

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

akta.pro primary industry

Broadway & Commercial Theatre Productions (MPAGABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM), Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB), Theater, Musicals & Performing Arts (THAJAFAB)

Keywords

• Professional theatre productions
• Performing arts venue
• Theatre subscription tickets
• Youth theatre education
• Corporate event sponsorship

Headquarters

HQ city

Syracuse

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: Individual tickets sold for mainstage productions, with prices varying by show and seating
2. Subscription Packages: Multi-show subscription packages (3Play, 5Play) providing discounted access to multiple productions
3. Individual Donations: Individual giving program with donor benefits starting at $35, Angels donors ($120-$1199), and Circles members ($1200+)
4. Corporate Sponsorships: Business partnerships including mainstage production underwriting, educational program sponsorship, community engagement event support, program advertising, and employee/client appreciation events
5. Educational Programs: Revenue from youth programs including Summer@Stage, educational outreach, and theatre education services
6. Venue Rental and Events: Corporate events, meetings, networking events, and fundraisers hosted at the venue

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Syracuse Stage is a non-profit professional theatre company that produces approximately six mainstage theatrical productions per season (plays, musicals, and new works) featuring professional actors and designers. It sells single tickets and multi-show subscriptions, runs youth education programs such as Summer@Stage and the Young Playwrights Festival, hosts community engagement initiatives, and rents its venue for corporate and private events.

Product overview

Syracuse Stage is a professional non-profit theatre company offering a portfolio of theatrical products and services. The core offerings include mainstage productions (approximately 6 professional plays and musicals per season) and season subscription packages. Educational products include Summer@Stage youth programs, Theatre for the Very Young productions, and the Young Playwrights Festival. Community engagement is supported through the Artistic Ambassador Program and Julie Lutz New Play Festival. Additional revenue products include corporate sponsorship/partnership packages, individual giving programs (with donor benefits at $35-$1,200+ levels), group ticket sales, and venue rental for corporate events. The company also partners with Syracuse University's Department of Drama on co-productions that integrate students into professional productions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Mainstage Productions Professional theatrical performances presented each season, including plays, musicals, and new works, featuring professional actors and designers. For Central New York audiences and visitors.
• Season Subscriptions Multi-show ticket packages offering early access to performances, parking benefits, and discounts. Options include 3-Play and 5-Play subscription packages for the 26/27 Season.
• Department of Drama Co-Productions Joint productions between Syracuse Stage and Syracuse University's Department of Drama, offering students opportunities to work alongside professional artists and earn points toward Actors' Equity Association membership.
• Summer@Stage Summer educational programs for youth ages 2 to 18, providing theatre training and performance opportunities for young people.
• Professional Development Workshops Business-oriented workshops led by theatre professionals, offering training in charisma, authenticity, improvisation for sales and team-building, and relaxation techniques.
• Corporate Partnerships Sponsorship and partnership programs allowing businesses to underwrite productions, sponsor educational programs, support community events, and advertise in programs.
• Individual Giving Donation programs with benefits starting at $35, including Angels Donors ($100-$1,199) and Circles Members ($1,200+) with exclusive behind-the-scenes access.
• Julie Lutz New Play Festival Annual festival celebrating contemporary voices and supporting the development of new plays.
• Young Playwrights Festival Program supporting aspiring playwrights in developing their theatrical works.
• Theatre for the Very Young Productions and programs designed specifically for young audiences, such as 'Tiny Martians, Big Emotions'.
• Group Ticket Sales Discounted tickets and special arrangements for groups of 10 or more attending performances.
• Venue Rental Facility rental options for meetings, networking events, fundraisers, and private celebrations at the theatre venue.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70,000+ patrons annually from Upstate New York region
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Syracuse University Department of DramacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEach season Syracuse Stage and the Department of Drama co-produce a show, providing students opportunities to work with professional actors, directors, and designers while earning points toward Actors' Equity Association membership.
• WAERminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSeason sponsor for Department of Drama productions, providing promotional and marketing support for theatrical productions.
• Indiana Repertory TheatrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-producing partner for Come From Away production in the 26/27 season.
• Music Theatre International (MTI)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerLicensing partner for musical productions including Rent and Les Misérables through special arrangement.
• Cameron Mackintosh LTDcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerLicensing partner for Les Misérables presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International and Cameron Mackintosh LTD.
• Broadway LicensingminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerLicensing partner for dramatic productions including Private Eyes.
• Concord TheatricalsminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerLicensing partner for An American in Paris presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark LLC.
• Amanda Dubois ProductionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProducing association partner for the world premiere musical based on Sherlock Holmes novel.
• HudsonMannminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProducing association partner for the world premiere musical based on Sherlock Holmes novel.
• Theatre Communications Group (TCG)minorOthersNational organization for the American theatre; Syracuse Stage is a constituent member.
• League of Resident Theatres (LORT)minorOthersThe largest professional theatre association in the country; Syracuse Stage is a member.
• Arts and Cultural Leadership Alliance (ACLA)minorOthersLocal arts and cultural leadership alliance; Syracuse Stage is a member.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Goodman Theatre: Large LORT theatre in Chicago with extensive programming, education, and new play development; shares the LORT professional non-profit model with Syracuse Stage but at significantly larger scale.
• Arena Stage: Major LORT theatre in Washington, DC with multiple venues, larger subscriber base, and broader programming—comparable mission and non-profit model but materially larger scale.
• Alliance Theatre: Larger LORT theatre in Atlanta producing a broader subscription season with substantial educational programming and national premieres; comparable business model but larger scope and reach than Syracuse Stage.

Direct peers

• Geva Theatre Center: LORT-member professional theatre in Rochester, NY operating a similar Upstate New York regional model with a subscription season, educational programming, and new work development—direct geographic and operational peer.
• Portland Stage Company: LORT-member professional regional theatre producing a multi-show subscription season with new work development and educational programs; comparable mid-size LORT operating model and non-profit structure.
• Cleveland Play House: One of America's oldest regional LORT theatres with a comparable subscription season model, educational outreach, and new play development—directly comparable as a peer LORT professional house.
• Indiana Repertory Theatre: LORT-member professional regional theatre in Indianapolis that co-produces with Syracuse Stage (e.g., Come From Away in the 26/27 season); directly comparable as a mid-size LORT house producing a mix of classics, musicals, and new works for a regional audience.
• Hartford Stage: LORT-member regional theatre known for new play development and a comparable subscription-driven season with strong educational programming, similar in scope and operating model to Syracuse Stage.
• Capital Repertory Theatre: LORT Associate-member professional theatre in Albany, NY operating a subscription season with new work and educational programs—comparable Upstate New York LORT peer at similar scale.

Others

• Theatre Communications Group (TCG): National service organization for American theatre of which Syracuse Stage is a constituent member; comparable as an ecosystem/industry association rather than a direct competitor, relevant for grants and peer benchmarking.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/SyracuseStage
• Xx.com/syracusestage
• Facebookfacebook.com/syracusestage

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Stage