What Lied Center for Performing Arts does

The Lied Center for Performing Arts is a nonprofit performing arts venue in Lincoln, Nebraska, founded in 1990 and affiliated with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. It operates a multi-venue complex comprising the Main Stage (2,192-2,258 seats), the Johnny Carson Theater (250-seat black box), and the Kimball Recital Hall (850 seats), in addition to event-rental spaces including Lied Commons, the Steinhart Room, and the Orchestra Lobby (Katherine Hendy Parker Lobby). The organization presents over 2,300 productions across its three-decade history, bringing national and international touring Broadway shows, orchestras, dance companies, and solo performers to Nebraska audiences. Its core technology is the physical venue infrastructure itself, including ticketing via Stellar Tickets, online self-service at tickets.liedcenter.org, and a box office augmented by live webcast streaming — no proprietary software, AI, or data platform is described in the source material.

The center generates revenue through a diversified mix of ticket sales (individual events, Broadway subscription packages starting at $249, group discounts of 20% for 10+), facility rentals for private events, corporate sponsorships (Ameritas and Union Bank & Trust for 2025-26), membership tiers (Friends of Lied $50-$2,999 and Circle Level $3,000+), and tuition-based education programs (Triple Threat Broadway Intensive and Piano Academy at $550 each). Operating expense coverage is supplemented by donor contributions and grant funding from the Nebraska Arts Council, Nebraska Cultural Endowment, the Kennedy Center, and the Pace Woods Foundation. Pricing is heavily tiered, with student matinees at $6, UNL student/youth 50% discounts, and free reduced-rate access for underserved youth through the Performance Fund.

The center serves a hybrid customer base spanning general public patrons, PreK-12 schools and educators (through the Kennedy Center Partners in Education program, one of 99 nationwide), University of Nebraska-Lincoln students and faculty (via the Arts for All / Connecting Class & Stage program), corporate partners, and private event clients. Distribution is regional (Nebraska and the broader Midwest) with statewide outreach through Arts Across Nebraska. As of February 2026, the organization is executing a $35 million privately funded expansion and renovation ("Building the Future") with a new entrance along Q Street, under Executive Director Bill Stephan.

Name

Lied Center for Performing Arts

Legal name

Lied Center for Performing Arts

Website

https://liedcenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Lied Center for Performing Arts is a nonprofit performing arts venue in Lincoln, Nebraska, affiliated with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. It presents Broadway touring shows, concerts, and educational programming across multiple performance spaces, serving general public patrons, PreK-12 schools, university students, and corporate partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Venue

NAICS

Performing Arts Companies (7111), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

University & Educational Venue Operations (Auditoriums, Campus Arenas) (MPAGALAI), Dance Floor, Staging & Platform Rentals (HSACAFAD)

Keywords

• Performing arts venue
• Broadway touring productions
• Arts education programs
• Live event hosting
• Corporate arts sponsorship

Headquarters

HQ city

Lincoln

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from individual event tickets, season subscriptions, and Broadway series packages. Student matinees at $6/seat. Group discounts available.
2. Corporate Sponsorship: Corporate sponsors support season shows in exchange for marketing benefits, discounts on rental events, complimentary tickets, and employee discounts.
3. Facility Rental: Rental revenue from private events including banquets, receptions, weddings, meetings, and performances in spaces like Carson Theater (250 capacity), Lied Commons, Orchestra Lobby (400 standing/248 banquet), and Main Stage (2,192+ seats).
4. Membership Programs: Friends of Lied membership ($50-299 annually) and Circle Level membership ($3,000+) providing donor benefits, early access to tickets, recognition, and special events.
5. Education Programs: Summer camps including Triple Threat Broadway Intensive ($550 tuition, $300 optional housing) and Piano Academy ($550 tuition). CREATE Summer Institute for educators is free.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Lied Center for Performing Arts is a nonprofit regional performing arts venue in Lincoln, Nebraska, presenting national and international touring productions including Broadway shows, concerts, dance, theater, comedy, and family performances. Its physical offering includes the 2,258-seat Main Stage auditorium, the 250-seat Johnny Carson black-box theater, the Lied Commons event space, the Steinhart Room, and the Orchestra Lobby. The center sells single-event and subscription tickets, runs tuition-based education programs such as the Triple Threat Broadway Intensive and Piano Academy for youth, rents its spaces for private and corporate events, and operates tiered donor membership programs (Friends of Lied and Circle Level).

Product overview

The Lied Center for Performing Arts is a premier performing arts venue in Lincoln, Nebraska, operating as a multi-venue complex featuring the Main Stage (2,192-2,258 seats), Johnny Carson Theater (250 seats, black box), and various rental spaces including Lied Commons and Steinhart Room. The center offers a diverse portfolio including Broadway touring productions through the Glenn Korff Broadway Series, educational programs including the Triple Threat Broadway Intensive and Lied Center Piano Academy for youth, and outreach through the Kennedy Partners in Education program and statewide Arts Across Nebraska tours. The venue also offers venue rentals for meetings, banquets, and weddings, along with tiered membership programs (Friends of Lied from $50 and Circle Level from $3,000). Recent developments include the Building the Future expansion project ($35 million).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Main Stage The primary performance auditorium seating 2,192-2,258 patrons (general admission 2,258) with stunning acoustics, three lobbies with concession areas, used for major concerts, Broadway productions, plays, and lectures. An additional 66 seats are available by lifting the orchestra pit.
• Johnny Carson Theater A black box theater with its own entrance and lobby, seating 250 people with tiered seating, designed for intimate performances, recitals, and smaller productions.
• Glenn Korff Broadway Series Subscription series featuring Broadway touring productions. Five-show packages start at $249 for the 2026-2027 season, which includes Hamilton, Shucked, Water for Elephants, and Clue. Prior seasons have included Disney's Frozen, Hadestown, and other national touring productions.
• Triple Threat Broadway Intensive A 6-day summer workshop for intermediate to advanced high school performers, featuring training with Broadway and professional theatre artists in voice, dance, and acting. Tuition is $550 with optional on-campus housing for $300; need-based scholarships cover up to 100% of tuition.
• Lied Center Piano Academy A week-long residential piano academy for students entering grades 9 through first year of college, featuring instruction from Glenn Korff School of Music faculty. Tuition is $550 per participant; optional housing $300. Enrollment capped at 20 students; need-based scholarships cover up to 100% of tuition. Sponsored by Anabeth Hormel Cox through the Anabeth Hormel Cox Lied Center Performance Fund.
• CREATE Summer Institute for Educators A free 2.5-day professional development experience for early childhood and elementary educators focusing on arts integration across all subject areas. Funded by the Nebraska Arts Council, Nebraska Cultural Endowment, Pace Woods Foundation, and The Kennedy Center. Lunch and beverages provided Friday and Saturday.
• Kennedy Partners in Education Partnership with John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts providing professional development programs in arts integration for teachers. The Lied Center is one of 99 U.S. Partnership teams nationwide through this program.
• Student Matinees School-day performances for PreK-12 students bringing young people together for music, theater, and dance experiences. All seats are $6 per student. Title 1 schools are eligible for free and reduced-price tickets on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Connecting Class & Stage University program connecting UNL courses to Lied Center performances with free and reduced-rate access for UNL students and instructors through the Arts for All program.
• Arts Across Nebraska Statewide touring program bringing music, theater, and dance performances to communities throughout Nebraska through extended residencies and collaborations.
• Corporate Sponsorship Program Annual corporate sponsorship program providing marketing benefits, discounts on facility rental events, complimentary tickets, and employee discounts. Benefits scale with contribution level. The 2025-2026 season sponsors include Ameritas and Union Bank & Trust.
• Friends of Lied Membership Annual membership program with tiers from $50 (Close Friend) to $2,999 (Distinguished Friend), offering early ticket access, pre-sale offers, event invitations, program recognition, concessions, open house access, behind-the-scenes tours, prime seating, and private performance experiences. Active June through July.
• Circle Level Membership Donor membership starting at $3,000 annually, providing access to donor lounge, artist meetings, special event recognition, prime seating access, and Friend-level benefits. Includes genre circle options such as Jazz Circle ($5,000), Dance Circle ($5,000), Piano Circle ($5,000), and Conductor's Circle ($10,000). Active June through July.
• Event Space Rentals Rental of Lied Center spaces for private events including banquets, receptions, weddings, meetings, and performances. Venues include Lied Commons, Steinhart Room (capacity 120 lecture / 95 banquet, with retractable wall dividing into two areas), the Katherine Hendy Parker Orchestra Lobby (400 standing / 248 banquet with panoramic UNL campus views), the Carson Theater (250 capacity), and the 2,192-seat Main Stage.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,300+ productions presented over 30 years
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1991Partners in Education program since 1991. The Lied Center is one of 99 U.S. Partnership teams across 46 states. Program assists in developing and expanding educational partnerships with local school systems through professional development in the arts for teachers.
• Lincoln Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner team in the Kennedy Center Partners in Education program. Schools receive professional development programs in the arts for teachers through this partnership.
• Nebraska Arts CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports CREATE Summer Institute for Educators with funding. Teaching artists from the Council work with Lied Center programs. School Bus for the Arts grants program helps fund student field trips to performances.
• The Kennedy CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners in Education program foundation. Co-supports CREATE Summer Institute for Educators. Training and resources for arts integration professional development.
• AmeritasminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSeason sponsor for 2025-2026 season. Logo displayed on sponsorship materials.
• Union Bank & TrustminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSeason sponsor for 2025-2026 season. Logo displayed on sponsorship materials.
• Embassy Suites LincolnminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocation for CREATE Summer Institute for Educators 2026 (1040 P St, Lincoln, NE 68508). Complimentary lodging available for attendees traveling from outside Lincoln metro.
• African Culture ConnectionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit 501(c)(3) organization led by Charles Ahovissi, providing African culture and art experiences. Teaching artist for Lied Center programs.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Walton Arts Center: Northwest Arkansas-based performing arts center in Fayetteville presenting Broadway touring, concerts, and education programs. Comparable mid-size regional PAC with strong corporate sponsor base and education outreach.
• Krannert Center for the Performing Arts: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's multi-venue performing arts center presenting touring artists, university productions, and education programs. Comparable university-affiliated multi-venue PAC model.
• Hancher Auditorium: University of Iowa's performing arts venue presenting touring productions, university programming, and K-12 education outreach. Direct comparable as a Big Ten university-affiliated PAC.
• Mesa Arts Center: Multi-venue performing arts center in Mesa, AZ presenting Broadway, concerts, and education programs. Comparable in operating a complex of performance spaces including a main stage theater and recital/education facilities.
• Midland Center for the Arts: Midland, MI-based multi-venue arts center operating a main theater and education facilities. Comparable Midwestern multi-disciplinary arts center presenting touring Broadway and educational programming.
• Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts: Kansas City, MO performing arts center presenting major touring Broadway, orchestral, dance, and family programming. Comparable mid-size multi-venue regional PAC model with education programming and corporate sponsorship base in the Midwest.
• Wharton Center for Performing Arts: Michigan State University's professional presenting organization in East Lansing, MI. Direct comparable as a university-affiliated PAC presenting touring Broadway series, education programs, and operating multiple venue spaces.
• ASU Gammage: Arizona State University's performing arts venue in Tempe, AZ. University-affiliated PAC presenting Broadway touring productions and education programming with similar scale and academic integration model.
• Omaha Performing Arts: Omaha, NE-based performing arts presenter operating the Orpheum Theater and Holland Center. Closest geographic peer in Nebraska with similar Broadway touring programming, education outreach, and venue scale; competes for the same regional touring market and corporate sponsors.

Broad incumbents

• Kennedy Center: National performing arts center in Washington, D.C. and the Lied Center's strategic partner in the Partners in Education program. Functions as both a broader industry incumbent and a programmatic partner supporting the Lied Center's K-12 education work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/liedcenter
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/liedcenter
• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/Lied-Center-for-Performing-Arts/215630630607
• Instagraminstagram.com/liedcenter

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 Lied Center for Performing Arts