Black Spectrum Theatre Company

What Black Spectrum Theatre Company does

Black Spectrum Theatre Company is a non-profit performing arts organization founded in 1970 by Carl Clay, who continues to serve as Executive Producer and Founder. The company is headquartered at 177-01 Baisley Boulevard in Jamaica, Queens, New York, and serves audiences across the Queens and broader Tri-State area. Its operations span theatrical productions, community programming, and event infrastructure services, with a stated focus on Black performing arts and cultural programming. The organization maintains a year-round calendar of staged productions and community events, including 2026 programming such as a Juneteenth play, Majestic Seven Part 2, and a St. Albans Festival.

The company's product surface combines consumer-facing entertainment with B2B event infrastructure. Core offerings include ticketed theatrical performances, a 2026-2027 Season Pass priced at $99, and free or low-cost community programs. Operationally, Black Spectrum operates one of only a few mobile stages in New York City — units designated SL100, SL250, and SL320 — which power its long-running Theatre on Wheels outreach program that has reportedly reached over 100,000 community members since 2000. The organization also rents its mobile stages, shuttle buses, and theatre facility to external event organizers, monetizing physical assets beyond its own productions.

The business model blends earned revenue from ticket sales, season pass subscriptions, and B2B rentals with contributed revenue from donations and likely grants typical of a community non-profit. Customer segments are diversified across individual audience members, season pass subscribers, third-party event organizers, and community program participants. Pricing signals across all revenue streams — a $99 annual season pass, tiered mobile stage packages, and community-oriented free programming — indicate a volume-driven, distributed revenue architecture rather than concentrated enterprise contracts. The company employs between 11 and 50 staff.

Name

Black Spectrum Theatre Company

Legal name

Black Spectrum Theatre Company

Website

https://blackspectrum.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Black Spectrum Theatre Company is a non-profit performing arts organization founded in 1970 in Jamaica, Queens, that produces theatrical works and rents mobile stages and event infrastructure to community and Tri-State audiences.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts

NAICS

Performing Arts Companies (7111), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (71111), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Musical Groups and Artists (71113)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)

akta.pro primary industry

Regional & Repertory Theatre Companies (MPAGABAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM), Temporary Structures (Truss Roofs, Tents, Barricades) (MPAGAKAK), Musical Theatre (Non-Broadway/Fringe) (MPAGABAG)

Keywords

• Performing arts productions
• Mobile stage rentals
• Theatre venue rentals
• Youth arts education
• Cultural programming

Headquarters

HQ city

Jamaica

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from theatre productions, concerts, films, and special events. Individual show tickets sold through website with specific performances like Summer Cafe concert series and theatrical productions.
2. Season Passes: $99 All-access pass to Black Spectrum Theatre events including plays, concerts, films, seminars, play-reading series, special events, and comedy events for the 2026-2027 season.
3. Theatre Rentals: Fully equipped theatre available for conferences, performances, presentations, private events, and community gatherings. Venue accommodates 200-390 guests with professional AV infrastructure, catering options, and on-site gallery access.
4. Mobile Stage Rentals: One of the only mobile theatre stages in New York City serving the Tri-State area. Multiple package tiers (SL100, SL250, SL320) for outdoor events including festivals, concerts, parades, health fairs, and community programming.
5. Shuttle Bus Rental: Cultural Express Mini Shuttle Bus rental for group transportation within New York State, serving events including weddings, concerts, sporting events, family reunions, and community gatherings.
6. Donations: Tax-deductible donations supporting youth programs, cultural events, artist development, and community engagement. Multiple giving options including one-time, monthly, quarterly, and annual donations ranging from $10 to $500+.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Black Spectrum Theatre Company is a performing arts organization that produces live theatre productions, concerts, and cultural events centered on Black storytelling. It also rents mobile stages (SL100, SL250, SL320) and its fixed theatre venue (200-390 capacity) to event organizers, runs youth and adult arts education programs, and operates the Theatre on Wheels mobile programming initiative serving communities throughout the Tri-State area.

Product overview

Black Spectrum Theatre Company is a performing arts organization offering a diverse portfolio of live entertainment and educational programs. The company operates as a single unified organization providing: theatre productions and concert series as core entertainment offerings; mobile stage rental services featuring SL100, SL250, and SL320 stage packages for outdoor events; fixed venue theatre rentals accommodating 200-390 guests; Cultural Express shuttle bus rental for group transportation; Summer Arts Camp, Children's Theatre Workshop, Youth Programs, E-CAP Program, Adult Acting Classes, and Community Workshops for arts education; plus Spectrum Theatre on Wheels mobile programming, internship and volunteer programs, season pass subscriptions, and donation acceptance. Founded in 1970, the company is committed to uplifting Black voices through the performing arts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Theatre Productions

Quantifiable outcome

• 100,000+ individuals served since 2000 through Theatre on Wheels mobile programming

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Harlem Stage: Harlem-based performing arts presenter supporting Black artists across music, dance, and theatre. Comparable as a culturally focused performing arts presenter offering multi-disciplinary programming and venue rentals.
• National Black Theatre: NYC-based Black performing arts organization producing original works, theatre, and community programming. Directly comparable as a Black-led theatre company with a similar mission of uplifting Black voices through live performance.
• New Federal Theatre: NYC-based theatre company producing works that celebrate diversity and underrepresented voices. Comparable in producing diverse theatrical works with educational and community programming.
• La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club: NYC-based experimental theatre company producing avant-garde and multicultural works. Comparable as a small-to-mid NYC theatre producing live programming with community and educational programming.
• The Billie Holiday Theatre: Brooklyn-based African-American theatre company producing plays, new works, and community programming. Closely comparable in mission, Black storytelling focus, and community-anchored operating model.
• Classical Theatre of Harlem: NYC-based theatre company producing classical and contemporary works with a focus on community engagement. Comparable as a regional Black-affiliated theatre producing live performances in NYC.

Regional players

• Steppenwolf Theatre Company: Chicago-based regional theatre company (though tours nationally) producing original work and developing new plays. Comparable as a regional theatre company with strong community programming and educational initiatives.

Broad incumbents

• Roundabout Theatre Company: Major NYC-based non-profit theatre company producing Broadway and off-Broadway productions. Comparable as a large NYC theatre operating multiple venues with diverse programming, though at substantially greater scale.
• The Public Theater: One of NYC's largest and most established non-profit theatres producing Broadway, off-Broadway, and free Shakespeare in the Park. Comparable as a broader NYC theatre institution but with significantly larger scale and resources.
• New Victory Theater: NYC's oldest active theatre presenting performing arts for kids, families, and school groups. Comparable as a venue-focused theatre with educational programming, though at a much larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/OnBlackSpectrum

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Black Spectrum Theatre Company