Harris Theatre

Name

Harris Theatre

Legal name

Harris Theater for Music and Dance

Website

https://harristheaterchicago.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Venue

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Performing Arts Companies (7111), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Concert Halls & Music Venue Operations (Symphony Halls, Recital Venues) (MPAGALAC), Concert & Tour Promoters (MPAIAFAA)

Keywords

• Performing arts venue
• Live music presentations
• Dance performances
• Venue rental services
• Arts subscription series

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

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

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from single tickets and subscription packages for performances across HTP Mainstage, Mix at Six, Chamber Music Series, and resident company events. Handling fees apply per ticket.
2. Venue Rental: The theater generates revenue by renting the venue to external organizations and companies for their own performances and events.
3. Donations and Fundraising: Annual donations, Creative Future Fund, Planned Giving programs, and gala events support the nonprofit theater's operations. The 2023 announcement mentions a $5M gift and naming of auditorium.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Harris Theater for Music and Dance is a nonprofit performing arts venue located at the north end of Millennium Park in Chicago. It presents world-class music and dance performances through its signature Harris Theater Presents (HTP) series, hosts 20+ resident companies and visiting artists, rents its 1,500-seat facility for external events, and streams select performances via its Virtual Stage digital platform. The venue operates with a Board of Trustees and is supported by ticket sales, handling fees, venue rentals, donations, and corporate sponsorships.

Product overview

Harris Theatre is a performing arts venue in Chicago presenting music and dance performances. Its core offerings center on the Harris Theater Presents (HTP) series, which encompasses Mainstage performances, Chamber Music Series, and Mix at Six evening concerts. The theater also hosts Resident Companies (local cultural organizations), offers Virtual Stage digital streaming, maintains a Digital Program Book archive, and provides venue rental services. The venue is located at Millennium Park and accommodates various performance formats from classical to contemporary.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Harris Theater Presents (HTP) Signature performance series presenting world-class music and dance artists across the HTP Mainstage, Chamber Music Series, and Mix at Six evening concerts. Targeted at performing arts audiences in Chicago.
• HTP Mainstage Flagship HTP performances featuring internationally renowned dance and music artists in extended runs. For performing arts audiences seeking premier dance and music experiences.
• Chamber Music Series Performance series featuring Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center musicians performing classical chamber music repertoire. For audiences interested in classical chamber music.
• Mix at Six Presented by Uber Freight Evening performance series featuring innovative contemporary artists in jazz, rock, and experimental genres, with performances lasting 60-75 minutes. Targeted at young professionals and weeknight entertainment seekers.
• Resident Companies Program Hosts 20+ local Chicago-based music and dance organizations that call the Harris Theater home. For Chicago cultural organizations needing a performance venue, administrative support, and audience development resources.
• Virtual Stage Digital streaming platform offering recorded and live-streamed performances for remote viewing. For audiences unable to attend in person or seeking on-demand content.
• Venue Rental Rental of the 1,500-seat theater space and facilities for external organizations, companies, and individuals for performances and private events. For external organizations seeking a downtown Chicago venue.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 800,000 households reached during COVID-19 pandemic with filmed operas (Haymarket Opera Company)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 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

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Uber FreightcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Uber Freight is the presenting sponsor for the Mix at Six series for the 2026-27 season, showcasing innovative jazz and contemporary music artists in an early evening format.
• Irving Harris Foundation / Joan W. HarriscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Irving Harris Foundation and Joan W. Harris serve as the Mainstage Sponsor for Harris Theater Presents, supporting the presentation of world-class dance and music performances.
• ITWminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026ITW serves as the Mainstage Dance Series Sponsor, supporting the presentation of dance performances at the theater.
• William BlairminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026William Blair is a program sponsor for Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project performances, supporting the visibility and impact of Black dance in Chicago.
• Haymarket Opera OrchestracoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Chicago-based period instrument orchestra serves as resident ensemble for Opera Atelier's Handel performances and has partnered with the theater since 2010, presenting historically informed opera and oratorio.
• Jay Pritzker PavilioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026The Harris Theatre was jointly constructed with and underneath the Jay Pritzker Pavilion. The venues share dressing rooms and backstage space, with alternating performance seasons.
• Swissôtel ChicagominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Preferred hotel partner located at 323 W Wacker Drive, offering luxury accommodations near the theater for visiting performers and patrons.
• Avli on The ParkminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Preferred restaurant partner offering 10% discount to Harris Theater ticket holders. Located at 180 N. Field Blvd, 5-minute walk from theater.
• Sweetwater Tavern & GrillminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Preferred restaurant partner at 225 N Michigan Ave offering 15% discount on performance days to Harris Theater guests.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University: Historic Chicago performing arts venue presenting music, dance, and theater in a comparable presenting/rental model. Direct local competitor for touring productions, resident companies, and Chicago arts audiences.
• Ravinia Festival: Chicago-area outdoor summer performing arts presenter featuring music and dance programming with similar presenting-organization economics, sponsorship dependencies, and resident company/visiting artist model.
• Symphony Center (Chicago Symphony Orchestra): Chicago's premier orchestral venue and presenter, sharing a similar presenting-organization model with subscription ticketing, donor-driven funding, and resident ensemble programming in the same Chicago Loop market.
• Lyric Opera of Chicago: Major Chicago performing arts presenter with its own venue, comparable subscription/donation revenue model, and direct competition for music and opera patrons in the same downtown Chicago catchment.

Broad incumbents

• Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM): Iconic multi-venue performing arts presenter in Brooklyn operating the same model of presenting music, dance, theater, and opera through resident and visiting companies with subscription ticketing and donor support.
• Carnegie Hall: World-class concert hall and presenting organization with a comparable presenter/orchestra/chamber music subscription model, donor-driven revenue, and curated artist programming.
• Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts: Multi-venue New York performing arts campus hosting presenters comparable to Harris Theater Presents; shared music, dance, and chamber music programming model with subscription ticketing and major-donor fundraising.
• Music Center (Los Angeles): Multi-venue performing arts presenter in downtown Los Angeles operating a presenting organization with resident companies, donor-driven funding, and subscription ticketing in a major urban market.

Regional players

• Steppenwolf Theatre Company: Chicago nonprofit theater with subscription model, large institutional donor base, and venue operations — comparable in nonprofit scale and governance, though focused on theater rather than music and dance.
• Goodman Theatre: Chicago nonprofit theater producing and presenting live performances with subscription ticketing, donor-driven revenue, and a comparable nonprofit operating structure — though focused on theatrical rather than music/dance programming.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/harristheater
• Facebookfacebook.com/harristheater
• Instagraminstagram.com/harristheaterchicago
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/harris-theater-for-music-and-dance

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Harris Theatre