Tampa Theatre
Tampa Theatre is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) operating a 1926 atmospheric movie palace in downtown Tampa, FL. It programs classic, independent, and foreign films, live concerts, educational programs, and special events for the Tampa Bay community, and is currently undergoing a $24.5 million restoration ahead of its 2026 centennial.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1926
- HeadquartersTampa, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Tampa Theatre does
Tampa Theatre is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) cultural institution operating a 1926 atmospheric movie palace in downtown Tampa, Florida. The venue, designed by John Eberson and featuring a signature star-and-sky ceiling, programs a mix of classic, independent, and foreign films alongside live concerts, special events, and education programs. It is currently executing a $24.5 million restoration of its Duncan Auditorium as the centerpiece of a $30 million "Second Century Campaign" tied to its 100th anniversary in October 2026, which includes a new 3,000+ square-foot education wing. During the March–September 2026 closure, the theater maintains programming continuity through offsite partnerships with Bonnet Springs Park, Starkey Ranch Theatre, Henry B. Plant Museum, and Sparkman Wharf, and runs new experiential offerings including Hard Hat Tours, Ghost Tours, and Paranormal Investigation events.
The business model combines multiple revenue streams: ticket sales (ranging from approximately $7 for classic films up to $303 for premium concerts), memberships, individual and corporate donations, a venue rental business for private events, a gift shop processed via Square, and education program fees. Fundraising is supported by a DonorPerfect donor management system, while ticketing runs on Etix and marketing/email on Constant Contact. The institution has deepened its live-event vertical through programming partnerships with Live Nation and AEG Presents, and received a $250,000 Bank of America grant in November 2025 in support of the capital campaign.
The organization is led by CEO George Levesque, operates with a staff of 11–50, and runs 200+ events per year in a normal operating year. Customer concentration is broad across walk-in audiences, members, donors, school and youth program participants, and concert attendees, with no single anchor tenant disclosed. Note: the input data contains a conflicting leadership attribution naming "John Bell" as Chief Executive Officer alongside the primary record showing George Levesque; this analysis follows the primary management record per the most-recent and most-specific precedence rule.
Tampa Theatre firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Tampa Theatre
- Legal name
- Tampa Theatre
- Website
- https://tampatheatre.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1926
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Tampa Theatre is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) operating a 1926 atmospheric movie palace in downtown Tampa, FL. It programs classic, independent, and foreign films, live concerts, educational programs, and special events for the Tampa Bay community, and is currently undergoing a $24.5 million restoration ahead of its 2026 centennial.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Tampa Theatre industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Live Entertainment Venues
- NAICS
- Motion Picture and Video Exhibition (51213), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (71111)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Independent & Art-house Cinemas (MPADAKAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Performing Arts & Cultural Event Venues (Theaters, Museums) (THAHAAAG), Screening Rooms & Cinematheques (Nonprofit/Institutional) (MPADAKAF)
Keywords
Where Tampa Theatre is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tampa
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Tampa Theatre business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Ticket Sales: Revenue from individual show tickets for films, live events, and comedy performances. Tickets range from approximately $23.50 to over $300 depending on the event and seat selection.
- Membership Program: Annual membership program offering benefits including free/discounted tickets, exclusive access to hard hat tours during renovation, priority seating, and other member-only perks.
- Donations and Capital Campaign: The Second Century Campaign is a major fundraising initiative targeting $30 million for restoration and expansion ahead of the theatre's 100th anniversary in October 2026. Includes individual donations such as the transformational gift from Tara Ruberg.
- Venue Rentals: The historic venue is available for private rentals, corporate events, and special occasions.
- Gift Shop Sales: Sale of Tampa Theatre merchandise, branded items, and specialty products through the on-site gift shop and online store.
- Education Programs: Revenue from field trips, summer film camp, and other educational programming for youth and families.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Premium live events (e.g., Max Amini) |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Music performances (e.g., A.J. Croce) |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Comedy shows (e.g., Mojo Brookzz) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Balcony to Backstage Tours |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Ghost Tours |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Late Night Paranormal Investigation |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Standard live events (e.g., Leslie Jones) |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | International comedian tours (e.g., Daniel Sloss) |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Tribute shows (e.g., The Fab Four) |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Horror film screenings (e.g., Halloween II) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Tampa Theatre product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Tampa Theatre operates a 1926 historic atmospheric movie palace as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit cultural institution, programming classic, independent, foreign, cult, and family films alongside live comedy, music, and tribute events. Beyond screenings, it runs Balcony to Backstage, Ghost, and Hard Hat tours, an annual membership program, a youth Summer Film Camp with school field trips, gift shop merchandise, private venue rentals, and a $30 million Second Century Capital Campaign ahead of its 100th anniversary in October 2026.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Film Screenings
Quantifiable outcome
- Tampa Theatre serves as nonprofit film and cultural center for the Tampa community, hosting over 200 events annually
Companies that use Tampa Theatre
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Tampa Theatre technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Tampa Theatre partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
23 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Creative ContractorsminorCreative Contractors and Ellison Advisors are presenting sponsors of the 2026 Hard Hat Tours, allowing Tampa Theatre Members exclusive access to view construction progress inside the active restoration site.
- Ellison AdvisorsminorCreative Contractors and Ellison Advisors are presenting sponsors of the 2026 Hard Hat Tours, allowing Tampa Theatre Members exclusive access to view construction progress inside the active restoration site.
- Quality Carriers (QC)coreQuality Carriers (QC) presents the Summer Sing-Along series in partnership with Sparkman Wharf. QC sponsors outdoor sing-along screenings of movies like High School Musical, The Little Mermaid, and Wicked at Sparkman Wharf while the historic auditorium is under renovation.
- Sparkman WharfcoreSparkman Wharf partners with Tampa Theatre for the Summer Sing-Along series, hosting outdoor movie screenings at their waterfront venue. This partnership allows Tampa Theatre to continue offering programming during the Duncan Auditorium renovation.
- Bonnet Springs ParkcoreBonnet Springs Park in Lakeland partners with Tampa Theatre for the 'Choose Your Own Adventure: Movies on the Lawn' series, hosting free outdoor screenings including The Princess Bride, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Back to the Future.
- Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural CentercorePartners with Tampa Theatre for the Big Picture: The Adaptation film series. Hosts book-to-screen adaptation screenings including The Hunger Games, Stand By Me, Little Women, and post-screening film talks.
- Henry B. Plant MuseumcoreHenry B. Plant Museum partners with Tampa Theatre for free community screenings in Plant Park on the University of Tampa campus. Screenings celebrate the Museum's 'Gaspar's Gold' exhibit while the Theatre's historic auditorium is closed for restoration.
- Pasco County Library SystemcorePartners with Tampa Theatre for the Big Picture: The Adaptation series at Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, bringing classic film adaptations to library audiences.
- Live NationcoreLive Nation partners with Tampa Theatre as a presenter for comedy events including Daniel Sloss, KevOnStage, and Bassem Youssef tours.
- AEG PresentscoreAEG Presents partners with Tampa Theatre as a presenter for live events including Leslie Jones, Blade Runner Live, A.J. Croce, and Zoltan Kaszas.
- BMNminorBMN (Abstraction Media) partners with Tampa Theatre as presenter for comedian Mojo Brookzz's Outta Pocket Comedy Tour stop.
- Emporium PresentsminorEmporium Presents partners with Tampa Theatre as a presenter for The Fab Four Beatles tribute show.
- Outback PresentsminorOutback Presents partners with Tampa Theatre as a presenter for Matt McCusker's The Healing Frequency Tour.
- Abstraction MediaminorAbstraction Media partners with Tampa Theatre as presenter for Max Amini Live in Tampa comedy performance.
- Tampa ElectricminorTampa Electric sponsors 'Mummy & Me' screenings as part of the A Nightmare on Franklin Street series, offering free admission for ages 12 and younger.
- First Florida Insurance BrokersminorFirst Florida Insurance Brokers provides additional support for the A Nightmare on Franklin Street horror film series.
- Hungry Bull ProductionsminorHungry Bull Productions sponsors the post-show Film Talk program following Sunshine State screening.
- Urban E RecyclingminorUrban E Recycling presents the Pirates of the Caribbean community screening with support from University of Tampa First Year Studies program.
- Tampa Bay Parenting MagazineminorTampa Bay Parenting Magazine and Scaradise provide promotional support for the A Nightmare on Franklin Street horror film series.
- ScaradiseminorScaradise provides promotional support for the A Nightmare on Franklin Street horror film series.
- Film Tampa BayminorFilm Tampa Bay partners with Tampa Theatre for new local film screenings including House of Blood and Sorority of the Damned, providing free community screenings with post-show discussions.
- Genesis Paranormal ServicesminorGenesis Paranormal Services partners with Tampa Theatre for the Late Night, Lights Off Paranormal Investigation experience, providing professional-grade equipment and expertise.
- University Press of FloridaminorUniversity Press of Florida publishes 'Tampa Theatre: A Century of Stories,' a 272-page book chronicling the theatre's complete history, written by Andrew Huse, to be published September 22, 2026.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Tampa Theatre competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center: Nonprofit cinema and cultural center in Silver Spring, Maryland operated by the American Film Institute, presenting curated independent, foreign, and repertory film plus cultural programming. Comparable mission-driven, nonprofit, repertory/independent film exhibition with education programs.
- Landmark Theatres: US/Canada art-house cinema chain focused on independent and foreign films. Comparable independent/art film exhibition focus and special-event programming model, though for-profit versus Tampa Theatre's nonprofit status.
- Roxie Theater: San Francisco nonprofit art-house cinema presenting independent, repertory, and documentary film with community-focused programming. Comparable nonprofit, single-organisation mission model focused on independent/curated cinema with live and educational overlays.
- Angelika Film Center: Curated art-house cinema in NYC and surrounding markets showing independent, foreign, and specialty films. Comparable independent/art cinema operator with event-driven programming and premium pricing.
- Music Box Theatre: Family-owned historic single-screen cinema in Chicago (opened 1929) showcasing independent, foreign, and classic films with live event programming. Match for Tampa Theatre on historic single-venue, art-house/indie film focus, and live-event overlay.
- Coolidge Corner Theatre: Brookline, Massachusetts nonprofit art-house cinema founded in 1933, presenting independent, classic, and foreign films alongside educational programming and live events. Closest US analogue: a mission-driven nonprofit cinema of similar vintage combining film exhibition, education, and live performance.
- Alamo Drafthouse Cinema: Specialty cinema chain known for independent and repertory programming plus dine-in service and signature event screenings. Comparable as an art/repertory film exhibitor that layers live events, themed programming, and special formats onto a theatrical cinema base.
- American Cinematheque (Egyptian Theatre): Los Angeles-based nonprofit cinematheque operating the historic Egyptian Theatre and Aero Theatre. Directly comparable as a nonprofit cultural institution focused on film exhibition, retrospectives, preservation, and special screenings at a historic venue.
Regional players
- The Grand 1894 Opera House: Historic nonprofit performing arts venue in Galveston, Texas presenting films, concerts, and live touring acts. Match on the historic-venue, multi-format (film + live performing arts) nonprofit model in a regional market.
Broad incumbents
- Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM): Major nonprofit performing arts and film institution in NYC operating multiple venues for film, dance, music, and theater. Comparable as a large-scale nonprofit cultural institution mixing film exhibition with performing arts programming, though at materially greater scale and scope.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Tampa Theatre social profiles
Digital presenceTampa Theatre financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Tampa Theatre leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Tampa Theatre funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Tampa Theatre 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 Tampa Theatre
What does Tampa Theatre do?
Tampa Theatre operates a 1926 historic atmospheric movie palace as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit cultural institution, programming classic, independent, foreign, cult, and family films alongside live comedy, music, and tribute events. Beyond screenings, it runs Balcony to Backstage, Ghost, and Hard Hat tours, an annual membership program, a youth Summer Film Camp with school field trips, gift shop merchandise, private venue rentals, and a $30 million Second Century Capital Campaign ahead of its 100th anniversary in October 2026.
Is Tampa Theatre a public or private company?
Tampa Theatre is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Tampa Theatre founded?
Tampa Theatre was founded in 1926. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Tampa Theatre based?
Tampa Theatre is headquartered in Tampa, United States, in the North America region.
How does Tampa Theatre make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Ticket Sales are the primary driver. The others are membership Program, donations and Capital Campaign, venue Rentals, gift Shop Sales and education Programs.
Who are Tampa Theatre's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, Landmark Theatres, Roxie Theater, Angelika Film Center, Music Box Theatre, Coolidge Corner Theatre, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema and American Cinematheque (Egyptian Theatre). The Grand 1894 Opera House is listed as a regional player. Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Tampa Theatre have an API?
No public API is recorded for Tampa Theatre.
What industry is Tampa Theatre in?
Tampa Theatre's product category is Live Entertainment Venues. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPADAKAB, Independent & Art-house Cinemas, with a secondary code of THAHAAAG, Performing Arts & Cultural Event Venues (Theaters, Museums). Its NAICS code is 51213 and its SIC code is 7830.