RESPECT
RESPECT is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2000 that uses professional actor-educators to deliver interactive theatre-based prevention programs on bullying, child abuse, mental health, internet safety, and healthy relationships to K-12 schools, youth organizations, healthcare providers, and workplaces across Nebraska and Iowa.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersOmaha, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What RESPECT does
RESPECT is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational theatre organization founded in 2000 by Dr. Patricia Newman, a child psychologist, and headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. Its core product is a portfolio of 14 interactive educational theatre programs delivered by professional actor-educators to K-12 schools, youth-serving organizations, healthcare providers, and workplaces across Nebraska and Iowa; each program combines a live performance with a facilitated talkback session, role-play exercises, and follow-up digital reinforcement. Supporting product surface includes supplemental video resources ('Continuing Conversations' and 'RESPECT Reads'), virtual program delivery built during COVID-19 using web conferencing platforms, green-screen capture, and pre-recorded content, and a customized workshop format for partner organizations. Since founding, RESPECT has staged 5,230 programs reaching 630,577+ participants across 25 years.
The business model combines paid program fees from schools and organizations, individual donations (one-time and monthly), corporate sponsorships (Stand Up Against Bullying fundraiser with tiered giving levels from $150 to $5,000), and foundation grants (from the Kim Foundation, Heider Family Foundation, Fremont Area Community Foundation, Omaha Community Foundation, and others). Scholarships offset program fees for qualifying schools in OPS, Douglas County, Lincoln public and parochial schools, Catholic Schools within the Omaha Archdiocese, and locations more than 60 miles from Omaha. Distribution is direct-sales-led and regional, supplemented by a Community Advisory Committee network that drives referrals and an event-driven fundraising cycle (Stand Up Against Bullying, Do Good Week, #GivingTuesday402). Go-to-market also includes earned media (radio interviews, public-access television, the 'Respectfully Speaking' radio show) and inbound traffic through the respect2all.org website. The operating team is intentionally lean: roughly one full-time Associate Executive Director, a three-quarter-time Executive Director, part-time Artistic/Training/Scheduling staff, and a roster of contract actor-educators compensated at $14/hour (non-performance work) and $38/hour (performances and workshops); the office and storage footprint totals less than 500 square feet. Leadership transitioned in early 2026 with the appointment of Paige Brenneman as Executive Director, succeeding founder Dr. Patricia Newman.
RESPECT firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- RESPECT
- Legal name
- RESPECT
- Website
- https://respect2all.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- RESPECT is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2000 that uses professional actor-educators to deliver interactive theatre-based prevention programs on bullying, child abuse, mental health, internet safety, and healthy relationships to K-12 schools, youth organizations, healthcare providers, and workplaces across Nebraska and Iowa.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
RESPECT industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Educational Theatre / Social-Emotional Learning Services
- NAICS
- Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Educational Services (611)
- SIC
- Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Children’s & Youth Theatre (MPAGABAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Behavioral & Social-Emotional Support (ABA, PBIS, Counseling) (EDAJAKAE)
Keywords
Where RESPECT is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Omaha
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
RESPECT business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Program Fees: Schools and organizations pay for educational theatre programs. Scholarships are available for schools in OPS, Douglas County, Lincoln public and parochial schools, Catholic Schools within the Omaha Archdiocese, and locations more than 60 miles from Omaha.
- Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute through the website donate page. One-time and monthly donation options available.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors support the annual Stand Up Against Bullying fundraiser at various levels (Producer Level: $5,000, Director Level: $2,500, Playwright Level: $1,500, Fan Level: $500, Stage Crew Level: $250, Apple Level: $150).
- Foundation Grants: Grants from foundations including Kim Foundation, Fremont Area Community Foundation, Heider Family Foundation, Omaha Community Foundation (CARES funding), and others support programs and operations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Standard Program Fees |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Actor-Educator Compensation |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
RESPECT product offering
Product offeringCore offering
RESPECT delivers interactive educational theatre programs through professional actor-educators who perform scripted plays at schools and community venues, followed by facilitated talkback sessions, role-play exercises, and follow-up video content. Programs address bullying, child abuse prevention, mental health, dating violence, internet safety, and healthy relationships for K-12 students, youth organizations, healthcare settings, and workplaces, available both in-person and virtually.
Product overview
RESPECT is a not-for-profit educational theatre organization providing interactive programs to schools and communities across Nebraska and Iowa. The organization operates as a unified portfolio of educational theatre offerings rather than a technology platform. Core offerings include individual educational plays addressing topics such as bullying prevention (Stop & Think, Between the Lines), internet safety (Natalie the Net Nanny, Explorers in Cyberspace, Navigators in Cyberspace, Blake and Andy), mental health (Choices, Coping In Crisis), dating violence (LEGACY), and workplace bullying (The Business of Bullying). Supplementary offerings include multi-session workshops (Hold That Thought), customized workshops, Continuing Conversations video follow-ups, and RESPECT Reads read-aloud videos. Programs are delivered in-person or virtually through web conferencing platforms.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Stop & Think Educational theatre program for elementary-aged students that uses the character Dr. Smartypants to teach emotional regulation and a 'Stop. Think. How can I help?' approach to peer support.
- Between the Lines Middle school educational theatre program addressing verbal, physical, social, and cyber bullying.
- Choices Menu-based mental health educational theatre program allowing host organizations to select three topics (body image, dating violence, bullying, self-harm, drugs, alcohol, suicide/depression, negative peer pressure) for a customized experience.
- Reporting High school educational theatre program based on true stories that focuses on bullying and its consequences and teaches students to report bullying behaviors and take active bystander roles.
- The Adventures of Natalie the Net Nanny Internet safety educational theatre program for elementary students that teaches children how to navigate cyber-bullying and online predators.
- Patching Things Up Kindergarten educational theatre program focused on building healthy relationships and foundational social skills.
- Bub Meets Scrub 3rd grade educational theatre program about personal space, physical health, boundaries, and hygiene awareness.
- Scraps Middle school educational theatre program addressing issues relevant to students' developmental stage.
- Hold That Thought Multi-session workshop series for intermediate and middle-school aged students that incorporates cognitive behavioral principles with theatre teaching methods, allowing students to practice social skills over 8 sessions.
- Explorers in Cyberspace Internet safety educational theatre program for grades 1-3 teaching children how to engage appropriately online and identify warning signs of potential dangers.
- Navigators in Cyberspace Internet safety educational theatre program for grades 4-6 focused on online safety and recognizing risks in cyberspace.
- Blake and Andy Conquer the World (of Internet Safety) Online safety educational theatre program specifically developed for 1st and 2nd graders addressing developmental needs related to internet safety.
- Watch My Whiskers Educational theatre play for primary age students about kindness to and respect for animals, developed with professional support from Dr. Amber Strohbehn and the Nebraska Humane Society.
- The Business of Bullying 90-minute workplace educational theatre program about bullying and harassment following a person through a day of workplace mistreatment, including a 30-minute play, panel discussion with resources, and role-play components.
- Headlines of Hate High school educational theatre program based on actual bullying events from the past four years in which characters face identity-based bullying and discrimination.
- Continuing Conversations Short follow-up videos featuring RESPECT actor-educators that teachers and counselors can use in the classroom to reinforce learning objectives from plays.
- RESPECT Reads Video series featuring children's books read aloud by RESPECT's actor-educators to complement the learning objectives of educational shows.
- Customized Workshops Role-play-based workshops customized to the needs of hosting schools and organizations, addressing topics such as healthy relationships, gender, sexism, and dating violence.
Quantifiable outcome
- Reached 630,577+ participants across 5,230 programs in 25 years
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use RESPECT
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
RESPECT technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
RESPECT partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- SHARE Omaha / Do Good WeekcorePartnership with SHARE Omaha for Do Good Week giving campaign, presented by FNBO. Five days dedicated to meeting cash needs of nonprofits plus volunteer and item needs.
- More TomorrowscoreRESPECT is a community partner of the More Tomorrows awareness campaign focused on suicide prevention in Region 6 Behavioral Healthcare service area. Working together to bring hope, help and healing through public education and service announcements.
- Kim FoundationcoreProvides grants to RESPECT for free and reduced-cost programming across Nebraska, particularly for locations more than 60 miles from Omaha. Supports mental health and suicide prevention programming.
- Inclusive CommunitiescorePartnership for IncluCity leadership programs for high school students, facilitating conversations about healthy relationships, gender, sexism, and dating violence.
- ADL-CRCcorePartnership for Promoting Empowerment in Our World (PEW) program for middle school students, breaking down biases and opening dialogue about prejudice and creating inclusive environments.
- Nebraska ThespiansminorRESPECT participated in Nebraska Thespian's 24 Hour Play Festival with theme 'I See You' focusing on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
- Collective For YouthminorPartnership for after school InterACT sessions for middle school students.
- OBI CreativeminorProvided branding, media, and marketing support; helped initiate annual fundraiser; shared interns with RESPECT.
- St. Timothy's Lutheran ChurchminorProvides donated space for RESPECT performances and fundraiser events.
- 101.3FM (Mind & Soul)minorPartnership to broadcast 'Respectfully Speaking' radio show exploring healthy relationships and mental health topics.
- KPAO (Omaha Public Access Television)minorPartnership to air RESPECT educational plays and panel discussions on public access television.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
RESPECT competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Imagination Stage: Bethesda, Maryland-based professional theatre for young audiences with strong education and outreach programs including in-school residencies and SEL-adjacent programming. Comparable regional educational theatre nonprofit with similar dual model of artistic productions and school-based programs, though serving the Mid-Atlantic rather than the Midwest.
Broad incumbents
- Committee for Children: National nonprofit publisher of Second Step, the most widely adopted SEL curriculum in U.S. K-12 schools. Competes with RESPECT for the same school SEL budget but delivers classroom-based digital/print curriculum rather than live theatre, making it a broader incumbent in the same customer problem space.
- Seattle Children's Theatre: Long-established professional theatre producing plays for young audiences plus extensive in-school education programming. Comparable to RESPECT in serving the K-12 educational theatre market, but at significantly larger scale with a permanent venue and broader programming mandate.
- Second Step (Committee for Children): Flagship SEL curriculum program from Committee for Children, used in tens of thousands of U.S. schools for bullying prevention and social-emotional learning. Competes for the same K-12 SEL budget as RESPECT but as a scalable, lower-cost curriculum rather than live theatre - represents the dominant digital/print alternative RESPECT competes against.
Direct peers
- StageOne Family Theatre: Louisville, Kentucky-based professional theatre for young audiences that produces original works and touring educational programs for schools and families. Similar mission and business model to RESPECT - professional actors creating theatre specifically for K-12 audiences - with comparable in-school touring and SEL-adjacent programming.
- Childsplay: Tempe, Arizona-based professional theatre company dedicated to creating productions for young audiences, with extensive in-school touring and educational programming. Comparable to RESPECT as a professional theatre company producing original works and delivering them directly to K-12 schools, though Childsplay is broader (full theatrical productions) and longer-established.
- National Theatre for Children: National touring educational theatre company that delivers in-school performances on topics like bullying, internet safety, and healthy living. Most direct comparable to RESPECT - same business model (professional actors performing in schools), same customer base (K-12), same product format (live educational plays with follow-up resources), but operates nationally rather than regionally.
- Books on Stage: Educational theatre company that stages adaptations of children's books for school audiences. Uses live theatrical performances as a teaching tool in K-12 settings - directly comparable delivery model and customer base to RESPECT, though focused on literature-based content rather than SEL topics.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
RESPECT social profiles
Digital presenceRESPECT compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
RESPECT financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
RESPECT leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
RESPECT funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
RESPECT 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 RESPECT
What does RESPECT do?
RESPECT delivers interactive educational theatre programs through professional actor-educators who perform scripted plays at schools and community venues, followed by facilitated talkback sessions, role-play exercises, and follow-up video content. Programs address bullying, child abuse prevention, mental health, dating violence, internet safety, and healthy relationships for K-12 students, youth organizations, healthcare settings, and workplaces, available both in-person and virtually.
Is RESPECT a public or private company?
RESPECT is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was RESPECT founded?
RESPECT was founded in 2000. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is RESPECT based?
RESPECT is headquartered in Omaha, United States, in the North America region.
How does RESPECT make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Program Fees are the primary driver. The others are individual Donations, corporate Sponsorships and foundation Grants.
Who are RESPECT's main competitors?
Imagination Stage is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are Committee for Children, Seattle Children's Theatre and Second Step (Committee for Children). Direct peers are StageOne Family Theatre, Childsplay, National Theatre for Children and Books on Stage.
Does RESPECT have an API?
No public API is recorded for RESPECT.
What industry is RESPECT in?
RESPECT's product category is Educational Theatre / Social-Emotional Learning Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGABAE, Children’s & Youth Theatre, with a secondary code of EDAJAKAE, Behavioral & Social-Emotional Support (ABA, PBIS, Counseling). Its NAICS code is 711110 and its SIC code is 7990.