OpenStage Theatre & Company
OpenStage Theatre & Company is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community theatre in Fort Collins, Colorado, founded in 1973 that produces four main stage productions per season plus outdoor summer programming at the Lincoln Center Magnolia Theatre, serving Northern Colorado audiences and engaging 150+ local artists annually.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1973
- HeadquartersFort Collins, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What OpenStage Theatre & Company does
OpenStage Theatre & Company, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity (Tax ID 84-0808350) founded in 1973 by Bruce and Denise Burson Freestone and headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado. The organization produces live theatrical performances for Northern Colorado audiences, currently operating its 53rd Season (2025-2026) with four main stage productions at The Lincoln Center Magnolia Theatre: Misery (psychological thriller, Fall 2025), The Mousetrap (murder mystery, Winter 2026), The Cottage (British farce, Spring 2026), and The Merry Wives of Windsor (Shakespearean comedy, Summer 2026). Supplementary programming includes outdoor summer performances at The Park at Columbine Health Systems, the Midsummer Celebration event, Pay What You Can performances, Student and Educator Night, the Fighting for Community nonprofit partnership program, and a Stage Combat Professional Workshop. The company works with 150+ local theatre artists each season, with those completing four or more shows in two or more years earning Company Member status.
The company's core technology stack is minimal: ticketing is processed through The Lincoln Center Box Office (in-person at 417 W. Magnolia Street, phone, and online at lctix.com), and the website was rebuilt in partnership with NerdyMind as a digital lead acquisition platform. The fully remote staff team consists of approximately 4-5 personnel, including Producing Artistic Director Jacob Offen (appointed June 2025 after Sydney Parks Smith's departure), Associate Artistic Director Heather Ostberg Johnson, Technical Director Ivan Andrade, Marketing & Operations Manager Sarah J Baker, Company Manager Bryn Frisina, and supporting roles. Operations are governed by a Board of Directors with a Company Representative (Kate Austin-Gröen) and a formal Concern Resolution Pathway aligned with Chicago Theatre Standards.
Revenue is generated across four primary streams: (1) ticket sales via individual show tickets and annual season ticket subscriptions, plus Pay What You Can and Student/Educator Night discounts; (2) corporate sponsorships from local businesses including Avogadro's Number, Odell Brewing Co., KRFC 88.9 FM, and individual Red Carpet sponsors; (3) grant funding from Colorado Creative Industries, Downtown Development Authority, City of Fort Collins Fort Fund, Art Works, and the Thornton Family Foundation; and (4) donations and merchandise sold through a bonfire.com store. The go-to-market model is community-led and event-driven: seasonal programming anchored at a single primary venue (Lincoln Center Magnolia Theatre), amplified through organic social channels (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube), email newsletters, blog content, press releases, and community events. Pricing is all-final with $5 ticket exchange fees and tiered accessibility programs, reflecting a small-scale community arts operation rather than a venture-funded enterprise.
OpenStage Theatre & Company firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- OpenStage Theatre & Company
- Legal name
- OpenStage Theatre & Company, Inc.
- Website
- https://openstage.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1973
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- OpenStage Theatre & Company is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community theatre in Fort Collins, Colorado, founded in 1973 that produces four main stage productions per season plus outdoor summer programming at the Lincoln Center Magnolia Theatre, serving Northern Colorado audiences and engaging 150+ local artists annually.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
OpenStage Theatre & Company industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Performing Arts / Live Community Theatre
- NAICS
- Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Regional & Repertory Theatre Companies (MPAGABAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Classical & Contemporary Theatre (Plays/Drama) (MPAGABAH)
Keywords
Where OpenStage Theatre & Company is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Fort Collins
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
OpenStage Theatre & Company business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Ticket Sales: Revenue from individual show tickets and season ticket packages sold through The Lincoln Center Box Office, both online at lctix.com and in-person
- Sponsorships: Season sponsorships and red carpet sponsorships from local businesses including Avogadro's Number, Odell Brewing Co., KRFC 88.9 FM, and individual sponsors
- Grants and Fundraising: Grant support from Colorado Creative Industries, Downtown Development Authority, City of Fort Collins Fort Fund, Art Works, Thornton Family Foundation, and individual donations from supporters
- Donations and Merchandise: Donations from supporters through give & support programs, merchandise sales through bonfire.com store
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Season Ticket Packages - Bundle of shows for 2026-2027 season available for purchase |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Individual Show Tickets - Single admission to productions |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Pay What You Can - Flexible pricing for accessibility |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Exchange Fee - Ticket exchange service |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
OpenStage Theatre & Company product offering
Product offeringCore offering
OpenStage Theatre & Company produces and performs live theatrical productions at The Lincoln Center Magnolia Theatre in Fort Collins, Colorado. The company stages a seasonal lineup of main stage productions (comedies, classics, dramas, and murder mysteries) along with outdoor summer performances, season ticket packages, student and educator outreach, pay-what-you-can accessibility performances, and professional stage combat workshops. It operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community theatre that engages 150+ local artists annually and sells tickets via the Lincoln Center Box Office.
Product overview
OpenStage Theatre & Company is a nonprofit community theatre in Fort Collins, Colorado, producing live theatrical performances since 1973. Their core offering consists of main stage productions at The Lincoln Center Magnolia Theatre and outdoor summer performances at The Park at Columbine Health Systems. The 53rd Season includes four productions spanning psychological thriller (Misery), murder mystery (The Mousetrap), British farce (The Cottage), and Shakespearean comedy (The Merry Wives of Windsor). Supplementary offerings include season ticket packages, the Midsummer Celebration outdoor event, student/educator nights, pay-what-you-can performances, the Fighting for Community outreach program, and professional workshops.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Misery A psychological thriller main stage production based on Stephen King's bestselling novel, adapted by William Goldman. OpenStage's 53rd season Fall 2025 production directed by Producing Artistic Director Jacob Offen, performed at The Lincoln Center Magnolia Theatre for general theatre audiences.
- The Mousetrap Agatha Christie's legendary murder mystery whodunit main stage production. Seven strangers are stranded by a snowstorm at Monkswell Manor and discover a murderer is among them. OpenStage's 53rd season Winter 2026 production directed by Heather Ostberg Johnson.
- The Cottage A fast-paced British farce by Sandy Rustin set in the 1920s. When Sylvia decides to confess her affair to both spouses, chaos ensues. OpenStage's 53rd season Spring 2026 main stage production.
- The Merry Wives of Windsor Shakespeare's comedy about Sir John Falstaff's failed scheme to seduce two wealthy women who turn the tables on him with clever pranks. OpenStage's 53rd season Summer 2026 main stage production directed by Kate Austin-Gröen.
- Season Tickets Annual subscription package providing access to all main stage productions in a season. Season ticket packages for the 2026-2027 season go on sale in September, offering bundled access at a discounted rate versus individual tickets.
- Midsummer Celebration Free outdoor community theatre event held at Library Park featuring nightly food trucks and family-friendly entertainment. A signature summer event for the Northern Colorado community.
- Student and Educator Night Discounted or free performance access for students and educators, funded in part by the Thornton Family Foundation. Provides affordable theatre access for educational enrichment.
- Pay What You Can Performances Select performances with flexible pricing where attendees pay what they can afford, designed to increase accessibility to live theatre for community audiences who may face financial barriers.
- Fighting for Community Program Partnership program where selected productions raise awareness and funds for local nonprofits whose missions align with production themes. Past partners have included Crossroads Safehouse, Planned Parenthood of the Rockies, Project Self Sufficiency, SPLASH Youth, American Cancer Society, Dementia Together, Cultural Enrichment Center, and Poudre Library Systems, collectively raising over $5,000.
- Stage Combat Professional Workshop Professional workshop teaching stage combat techniques led by industry professional Ambrose Ferber. Aimed at theatre artists seeking professional development in physical performance skills.
Quantifiable outcome
- 150+ local artists engaged annually
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use OpenStage Theatre & Company
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
OpenStage Theatre & Company technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
OpenStage Theatre & Company partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- Poudre Library SystemsminorCommunity partnership during The Book of Will 2023-2024; raised $449 for the library district
- Cultural Enrichment CenterminorFighting for Community partnership during SWEAT 2023-2024; serves African American students in Fort Collins
- Dementia TogetherminorFighting for Community partnership during Big Fish 2023-2024; provides dementia support services
- SPLASH Youth of Northern ColoradominorFighting for Community partnership 2022-2023; LGBTQIA+ youth organization; raised $1,248
- American Cancer SocietyminorFighting for Community partnership 2022-2023 during A Doll's House, Part 2
- Planned Parenthood of the RockiesminorFighting for Community partnership 2022-2023 during The Revolutionists; raised $1,910
- Project Self SufficiencyminorFighting for Community partnership 2021-2022 during Cry It Out; raised $1,825
- Crossroads SafehouseminorOriginal Fighting for Community partner 2020-2021 during Natural Shocks; raised $4,480 for domestic violence support
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
OpenStage Theatre & Company competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities: Colorado-based multidisciplinary arts center operating its own theatres and producing plays, musicals, and gallery programming. Comparable to OpenStage as a Colorado nonprofit producing live theatre with venue-based programming, though at a larger scale.
- Denver Center for the Performing Arts: Colorado's largest regional theatre operator producing Broadway-scale plays, musicals, and programming. Comparable to OpenStage as a Colorado-based live theatre producer serving regional audiences, but at significantly larger scale and budget.
- Berkeley Repertory Theatre: Tony Award-winning California-based regional theatre producing a large season of plays and premieres. Comparable to OpenStage as a nonprofit regional producing theatre, though at much larger scale and budget.
Direct peers
- Capital Repertory Theatre: Albany, NY-based LORT theatre producing a season of plays and musicals. Comparable to OpenStage as a regional repertory producing company with a similar season-ticket subscription model and educational outreach programming.
- People's Light: Pennsylvania-based nonprofit regional theatre producing a multi-show season of plays and musicals with education programs. Comparable to OpenStage as a community-rooted producing theatre running a similar season-subscription model with strong education and accessibility programming.
- San Jose Stage Company: California-based small professional regional theatre producing a season of plays. Comparable to OpenStage as a similarly-sized nonprofit producing theatre running classic and contemporary plays on a multi-show season schedule.
- Curious Theatre Company: Denver-based nonprofit regional theatre producing contemporary plays and classics for local audiences. Most comparable to OpenStage as a Colorado nonprofit producing play-focused seasons with a similar community-led model.
- TheatreSquared: Arkansas-based nonprofit regional theatre producing a mainstage season of plays and new works in a dedicated venue. Comparable to OpenStage as a similarly-sized regional repertory producer with a focus on classic and contemporary drama.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
OpenStage Theatre & Company social profiles
Digital presenceOpenStage Theatre & Company financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
OpenStage Theatre & Company leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
OpenStage Theatre & Company funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
OpenStage Theatre & Company 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 OpenStage Theatre & Company
What does OpenStage Theatre & Company do?
OpenStage Theatre & Company produces and performs live theatrical productions at The Lincoln Center Magnolia Theatre in Fort Collins, Colorado. The company stages a seasonal lineup of main stage productions (comedies, classics, dramas, and murder mysteries) along with outdoor summer performances, season ticket packages, student and educator outreach, pay-what-you-can accessibility performances, and professional stage combat workshops. It operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community theatre that engages 150+ local artists annually and sells tickets via the Lincoln Center Box Office.
Is OpenStage Theatre & Company a public or private company?
OpenStage Theatre & Company is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was OpenStage Theatre & Company founded?
OpenStage Theatre & Company was founded in 1973. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is OpenStage Theatre & Company based?
OpenStage Theatre & Company is headquartered in Fort Collins, United States, in the North America region.
How does OpenStage Theatre & Company make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Ticket Sales are the primary driver. The others are sponsorships, grants and Fundraising and donations and Merchandise.
Who are OpenStage Theatre & Company's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, Denver Center for the Performing Arts and Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Direct peers are Capital Repertory Theatre, People's Light, San Jose Stage Company, Curious Theatre Company and TheatreSquared.
Does OpenStage Theatre & Company have an API?
No public API is recorded for OpenStage Theatre & Company.
What industry is OpenStage Theatre & Company in?
OpenStage Theatre & Company's product category is Performing Arts / Live Community Theatre. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGABAB, Regional & Repertory Theatre Companies, with a secondary code of MPAGABAH, Classical & Contemporary Theatre (Plays/Drama). Its NAICS code is 711110 and its SIC code is 7900.