Gopher Stage Lighting

Name

Gopher Stage Lighting

Legal name

Gopher Stage Lighting, Inc.

Website

https://gopherstagelighting.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Lighting Installation Services

akta.pro primary industry

Commercial Lighting Fixture Installation (HSAOAFAM)

Keywords

• Stage lighting installation
• Theatrical rigging services
• Architectural lighting installation
• Lighting systems integration
• Rigging inspection services

Headquarters

HQ city

Minneapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Lighting Systems Installation: Installation of lighting systems for performance spaces, architectural environments, and professional sports venues. Includes new construction and renovation projects.
2. Rigging Installation: Theatrical rigging installation services for venues, including system design support and installation.
3. Equipment and Supplies Sales: Sales of theatrical supplies including lamps, gels, stage hardware, rigging hardware, gobos, cables, and accessories. Also includes custom steel and glass gobos.
4. Rigging Inspections: Annual rigging inspections performed by ETCP Certified Rigging Staff members.
5. Custom Draperies: Custom stage drapery fabrication and sales.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Gopher Stage Lighting, Inc. installs theatrical, architectural, and sports lighting and rigging systems for venues across the upper Midwest, handling full project lifecycles from contract document and shop drawing review through installation, system commissioning, testing, programming, and owner training. The company also supplies theatrical consumables (lamps, gels, tapes, cables, hardware), fabricates custom steel and glass gobos, sells Rosco dance floors, builds custom stage draperies, and performs ETCP-certified annual rigging inspections.

Product overview

Gopher Stage Lighting offers a comprehensive suite of stage lighting, architectural lighting, and rigging services primarily focused on installation, integration, and maintenance of lighting systems in the upper Midwest. The company evolved from a stage lighting rental company into systems integration services. Core offerings include stage lighting installation with full project lifecycle support (contract document review, shop drawing review, installation, commissioning, testing, programming, and owner training), architectural lighting for buildings and monuments, and theatrical rigging services with ETCP-certified inspections. The company also retails theatrical supplies including lamps, gels, gobos, tapes, cables, and rigging hardware, plus custom gobos and Rosco dance floors as specialized products. Services are provided through two departments: Lighting & Controls and Rigging, with factory-authorized technicians supporting installed systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Stage Lighting Installation Services Professional installation of stage lighting systems for performance spaces, theaters, and entertainment venues, including contract document review, submittal and shop drawing review, site inspection, product review and evaluation, installation, system commissioning and testing, programming, and owner training.
• Architectural Lighting Services Custom architectural lighting installations for unique environments, government facilities, sports venues, and commercial buildings including facades, fountains, bridges, and monuments.
• Theatrical Rigging Services Complete theatrical rigging installation services for venues, including rigging inspections performed by ETCP Certified Rigging Staff members, stage drapery installation, and custom rigging solutions.
• Lighting Control Systems Support Factory-based field service and technical support for installed lighting and lighting control systems, including troubleshooting, repairs, support and upgrade services for older systems, and full technical support for lighting control systems performed by factory-authorized service technicians.
• Theatrical Supplies Consumable theatrical supplies sold through the walk-in counter including lamps for conventional and intelligent lighting, Lee and Roscolux gels, Rosco Tough Prime paint, fog and haze fluid, stage hardware, gaffers tape, spike tape, glow tape, dance floor tape, size B steel gobos, tie line, DMX cables, lighting accessories, rigging hardware, commando cloth (Duvetyne), blackwrap, and black tack.
• Custom Gobos Custom steel and glass gobos featuring company logos, special graphics, or wedding monograms, supplied with up to 2 free electronic proofs upon order.
• Rosco Dance Floors Full supplier of Rosco Dance Floors including the tape needed for installation, with competitive custom quotes provided for various spaces.
• Stage Draperies Custom stage drapery fabricated, sold, and installed for venues, with custom drapery quotes provided on request.
• Rigging Inspections Annual rigging inspections of spaces performed by ETCP Certified Rigging Staff members, recommended to be performed once per year.

Named customers17 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Mortenson ConstructioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMortenson Construction is a key partner on major sports venue projects including Allianz Field in St. Paul, MN. Gopher Stage Lighting worked as a true partner on the unique facade lighting system, with specific recognition of technicians Josh Wood and Josh Lentner for programming and customer education.
• Parsons ElectriccoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerParsons Electric collaborates with Gopher Stage Lighting on stadium projects including US Bank Stadium. Project Manager Jace Erickson noted the team as knowledgeable and reliable for installation and insight on lighting control systems.
• Schuler ShookcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchuler Shook has a long and successful relationship with Gopher Stage Lighting, recommending them with enthusiasm for rigging project management and installation. Described as theatre people who know how venues work.
• Faith TechnologiesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFaith Technologies worked with Gopher Stage on a complex project requiring extensive coordination on planning, submittals, shop drawings, and material procurement. Jim Barrett and David Johnson noted for responsiveness and good relationship with designer.
• GSAudiominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGSAudio in St. Cloud, Minnesota has used Gopher Stage Lighting for 20 years on various projects from lighting skyscrapers to theater installations, purchasing supplies and installation services.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Rose Brand: Manufacturer and fabricator of stage draperies, theatrical fabrics, and soft goods for entertainment and event venues. Comparable to Gopher as both serve theatrical and performance venues with custom drapery fabrication and installation.
• 4Wall Entertainment: Provider of entertainment lighting, rigging, and LED video solutions with rental, sales, and installation services. Comparable to Gopher as both serve entertainment and venue markets with lighting and rigging integration, though 4Wall is significantly larger and has a national footprint.
• Vincent Lighting Systems: Theatrical and architectural lighting and rigging systems integrator serving entertainment venues, houses of worship, and architectural clients. Highly comparable to Gopher Stage Lighting as both provide installation, integration, and service for stage lighting and rigging with overlapping general contractor and venue customers.
• Christie Lites: Lighting equipment rental and sales for entertainment industry with installation and project services. Comparable to Gopher as both supply and install theatrical and event lighting systems, though Christie Lites is primarily rental-driven.
• Barbizon Lighting: Lighting systems integrator for entertainment, architectural, and broadcast markets. Comparable to Gopher as both sell, install, and integrate professional lighting and rigging systems for performance venues and architectural environments.
• Stage Equipment & Lighting: Theatrical lighting, rigging, and stage equipment supplier and installer serving schools, theaters, and houses of worship. Comparable to Gopher as both provide end-to-end theatrical lighting and rigging installation with similar customer segments.
• Mainstage Theatrical Supply: Theatrical lighting, rigging, and supplies provider serving the Midwest and beyond. Comparable to Gopher as both retail theatrical supplies and install lighting and rigging systems for performance spaces.

Broad incumbents

• PRG (Production Resource Group): Global entertainment production services company offering lighting, rigging, video, and audio across live events, broadcast, and permanent installations. Comparable as a much larger broad incumbent in the same lighting and rigging integration space; could compete on marquee venue projects.
• ETC (Electronic Theatre Controls): Manufacturer of lighting controls, architectural fixtures, and entertainment lighting products. Comparable as a major vendor in Gopher's supply chain and a benchmark for the theatrical lighting ecosystem, though ETC is a manufacturer rather than an installation services peer.
• Rosco: Manufacturer of theatrical supplies including gels, gobos, dance floors, and filters. Comparable as a key supplier/vendor for Gopher's retail supplies business (custom gobos, Rosco Dance Floors) and serves the same theatrical market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/gopherstage
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/32113

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles25 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 Gopher Stage Lighting