The Paramount Theatre
The Paramount Theatre is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating two historic Congress Avenue venues in Austin, Texas (1,300-seat Paramount and 300-seat State Theatre), presenting 550+ live, film, and comedy events annually to 275,000+ attendees and serving 35,000+ students through arts education programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1915
- HeadquartersAustin, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Paramount Theatre does
The Paramount Theatre is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit performing arts organization operated as the Austin Theatre Alliance, managing two historic Congress Avenue venues in downtown Austin, Texas: the 1,300-seat Paramount Theatre (built 1915) and the 300-seat State Theatre (built 1935). Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the organization presents more than 550 events annually, serving over 275,000 attendees, and produces flagship programming including the 52-year Summer Classic Film Series, the owned-and-operated Moontower Comedy Festival (11 days, 150+ comedians, 170+ shows across 12 venues), and a year-round calendar of music, comedy, and speaking events. The organization also serves as an annual host venue for SXSW Film Festival and ATX Television Festival.
The business operates on a diversified nonprofit revenue model combining ticket sales (transaction fees across all programming), recurring memberships (starting at $10/month with pre-sale access benefits), multi-tier capital campaign donations ($100 to $105,000+ with naming rights and experiential benefits), venue rentals, branded merchandise, in-kind donations, and an annual fundraising gala. Distribution is direct via an online ticketing platform (tickets.austintheatre.org) and an in-person box office, with marketing driven by owned digital channels (website, email, social), press relations, and presenting partnerships with entities such as Dell Technologies, Anderson's Coffee & Tea, KUT/KUTX, and Hyatt Centric. Technology footprint is limited to an SSL-secured ticketing system and standard privacy controls (GDPR/CCPA disclosures), with no disclosed AI/ML capabilities.
Beyond live performance, the organization runs arts education programs (field trips, summer camps, Story Wranglers, Access to the Arts) serving 35,000+ Central Texas students annually. Its largest current strategic initiative is the Shine On Capital Campaign, targeting $66 million for preservation and revitalization of both venues plus a $10 million endowment, with $28 million raised to date.
The Paramount Theatre firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Paramount Theatre
- Legal name
- Austin Theatre Alliance
- Website
- https://austintheatre.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1915
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- The Paramount Theatre is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating two historic Congress Avenue venues in Austin, Texas (1,300-seat Paramount and 300-seat State Theatre), presenting 550+ live, film, and comedy events annually to 275,000+ attendees and serving 35,000+ students through arts education programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Paramount Theatre industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Performing Arts Venues
- NAICS
- Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Performing Arts Companies (7111), Motion Picture and Video Exhibition (51213), Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM), Theater, Musicals & Performing Arts (THAJAFAB), VIP Hospitality & Client Entertainment (Boxes, Suites, Hosted Experiences) (MPAGAHAG), Specialty & Entertainment Venue Property Management (BPAJAGAO)
Keywords
Where The Paramount Theatre is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Austin
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
The Paramount Theatre business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Ticket Sales: Revenue from selling tickets to 550+ annual events including performances, films, and comedy shows across the Paramount and State Theatres.
- Memberships: Annual membership programs providing benefits including pre-sale access, premium seats, and invitations to exclusive events. Supports operational funding year-to-year.
- Capital Campaign Donations: Shine On Capital Campaign raising funds for preservation and revitalization. Goal of $66 million for construction plus $10 million endowment. Currently at $28 million raised.
- Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including Paramount Ringer T-Shirts and other commemorative items through the theatre store.
- Venue Rental: Theatres available for venue rental for private events and functions.
- In-Kind Donations: Acceptance of in-kind donations including vacation home stays, jewelry, artwork, travel vouchers, and services for gala auctions.
- Annual Gala: Annual fundraising gala featuring live performances, auctions, and premium experiences. 2025 gala featuring Lyle Lovett and his Large Band.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Monthly Membership |
| Other | One time | Up to $100 Donation |
| Other | Multi-year contract | $600+ Donation |
| Other | One time | $1,200+ Donation |
| Other | One time | $15,000+ Donation |
| Other | One time | $27,000+ Donation |
| Other | One time | $105,000+ Donation |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels10 records
The Paramount Theatre product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Paramount Theatre operates two historic performing arts venues (the 1,300-seat Paramount Theatre built in 1915 and the 300-seat State Theatre built in 1935) in downtown Austin, presenting over 550 events annually including live music, comedy, film screenings, theatrical productions, and speaking events. The organization also owns and produces the annual Moontower Comedy Festival and Summer Classic Film Series, and delivers arts education programs serving 35,000+ Central Texas students each year. Revenue is generated through ticket sales, memberships, donations, venue rentals, merchandise, and an annual fundraising gala.
Product overview
The Paramount Theatre operates as a historic nonprofit performing arts organization managing two iconic Austin venues—the Paramount Theatre (1300 seats, built 1915) and State Theatre (300 seats, built 1935)—together known as Austin Theatre Alliance. The organization presents over 550 events annually across multiple programming streams: the Summer Classic Film Series (Year 52, 300+ screenings), the Moontower Comedy Festival (11-day festival with 150+ comedians across 12 venues), Family Series theatrical productions, and diverse music/comedy/speaking events. Beyond live performances, the organization offers arts education programs serving Central Texas students, venue rental services, and box office operations. The portfolio is unified under a mission to inspire generations through unforgettable performances and life-changing educational experiences in historic downtown Austin venues.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Paramount Theatre Venue Historic 1,300-seat theater at 713 Congress Avenue in downtown Austin, hosting 180+ shows annually including films, comedy, music, and speaking events. Built in 1915, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and serves as an anchor of Austin's performing arts scene.
- State Theatre Venue Historic 300-seat theater at 719 Congress Avenue, constructed in 1935 and operated together with the Paramount Theatre as part of Austin Theatre Alliance, hosting 120+ shows per year.
- Summer Classic Film Series Annual film programming series featuring throwback double features, special guests, and special presentations including 3D screenings. Currently in its 52nd year, offering 300+ film screenings annually for film enthusiasts.
- Moontower Comedy Festival Owned and produced annual two-week comedy festival featuring 11 days, 150+ comedians, and 170+ shows across 12 downtown Austin venues for comedy enthusiasts nationally.
- Family Series Family-oriented theatrical performances and productions designed for children and families, including shows like Treasure Island Reimagined and Marooned! A Space Comedy.
- Paramount Education Programs Arts education programs including field trips, summer camps, Story Wranglers writing program, and Access to the Arts initiatives serving thousands of Central Texas K-12 students annually.
- Venue Rental Theatres available for private events, corporate functions, and special occasion rentals with production support services for organizations and individuals.
- Box Office Services In-person and phone ticketing services plus online ticket purchasing through the SSL-secured ticketing platform with mobile ticket delivery for all venue events.
- Paramount Gala Annual fundraising gala featuring live performances, dinner, and silent and live auctions with tiered ticket packages including premium experiences and performances.
- Annual Memberships Annual membership program starting at $10/month providing pre-sale ticket access, premium seats, complimentary drinks during member cocktail hours, and invitations to exclusive events for recurring patrons.
- Shine On Capital Campaign Multi-tier capital campaign donation program supporting preservation and revitalization of the Paramount and State Theatres, with donation levels from $100 to $105,000+ offering recognition benefits, seat naming, naming rights, and commemorative experiences.
- Theatre Store Branded merchandise store selling items such as Paramount Ringer T-Shirts and other commemorative items to patrons and supporters.
Quantifiable outcome
- 35,000+ Central Texas students served annually through arts education programs
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use The Paramount Theatre
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
The Paramount Theatre technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
The Paramount Theatre partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Austin Arts, Culture, Music, & EntertainmentcoreProvides Heritage Preservation Grants supporting capital improvements at the Paramount and State Theatres as part of Austin's arts and culture initiatives.
- Anderson's Coffee & TeaminorPresenting partner supporting theatre operations and events.
- Dell TechnologiesminorPresenting partner providing technology support and sponsorship.
- KUT & KUTXminorAustin public radio station partnership for media promotion and community engagement.
- Hyatt Centric HotelminorOfficial festival hotel for Moontower Comedy Festival badge pickup and festival operations. Located at 721 Congress Avenue next to State Theatre.
- Cap City Comedy ClubminorPartner venue during Moontower Comedy Festival where badge holders can request complimentary reserved tickets for shows at the Main Room and Red Room.
- Antone's NightclubminorFestival venue partner for comedy club binge during Moontower Comedy Festival.
- FetiiminorGroup rideshare partner offering festival goers deal with code MOONTOWER (free ride for new users, 25% off for existing users).
- IATSE Local 205coreExclusive union partnership for all stagehand and crew needs at the Paramount and State Theatres.
- Velveeta RoomminorFestival venue partner for comedy club binge during Moontower Comedy Festival.
- Vulcan Gas CompanyminorFestival venue partner for comedy club binge during Moontower Comedy Festival.
- Fallout TheaterminorAll-ages festival venue partner for Moontower Comedy Festival.
- MaieB HospitalityminorCulinary chair for Paramount Gala providing restaurant partnerships and event catering.
- JewBoy BurgersminorFeatured food vendor at 2025 Paramount Gala auction event.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
The Paramount Theatre competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- AT&T Performing Arts Center: Dallas-based nonprofit multi-venue performing arts campus presenting Broadway, music, and dance; comparable nonprofit structure, programming breadth, and capital-campaign-driven expansion model in another Texas market.
- Tobin Center for the Performing Arts: San Antonio nonprofit performing arts center operating multiple halls with a similar ticket/membership/donation revenue mix; comparable business model and scale in a different Texas metro.
Broad incumbents
- Carnegie Hall: Iconic historic nonprofit performing arts venue operating a multi-hall campus with subscriptions, donations, and education programs; a much larger but structurally similar nonprofit presenter dependent on philanthropy and ticket revenue.
- Steppenwolf Theatre Company: National nonprofit theater company with its own multi-stage venue, education programs, and donor-driven capital model; comparable in mission, education scale, and nonprofit revenue mix, though focused on resident theater production rather than touring/rental.
- Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM): Historic nonprofit performing arts institution operating multiple venues, presenting theater/dance/music, and running year-round programming and education - a structurally similar nonprofit multi-venue operator at a larger scale.
Direct peers
- Long Center for the Performing Arts: Austin nonprofit performing arts center with multiple halls hosting concerts, theater, and comedy; overlaps directly with the Paramount's programming calendar and competes for both audience and corporate sponsorship dollars in the same city.
- ZACH Theatre: Austin-based nonprofit professional theater company producing plays, musicals, and education programs; competes with the Paramount's theatrical and education offerings and shares the same Central Texas student/patron pipeline.
- ACL Live at The Moody Theater: 2,750-seat Austin music/comedy venue on West Willie Nelson Blvd; competes with the Paramount for touring comedians, musicians, and corporate events, and is also a high-profile modern Austin live-entertainment competitor.
- Bass Concert Hall (Texas Performing Arts): University of Texas-operated 2,900-seat performing arts venue on the UT Austin campus; presents touring Broadway, music, and dance in Austin, directly competing for the same patron base, corporate rentals, and touring talent as the Paramount and State Theatres.
Emerging players
- Cap City Comedy Club: Austin comedy club that is both a Moontower festival partner and a direct competitor for stand-up ticket revenue and comedian bookings; comparable on the comedy-night business model though at a smaller, single-room scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Paramount Theatre social profiles
Digital presenceThe Paramount Theatre compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
The Paramount Theatre financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Paramount Theatre leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
The Paramount Theatre subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
The Paramount Theatre funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Paramount 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 The Paramount Theatre
What does The Paramount Theatre do?
The Paramount Theatre operates two historic performing arts venues (the 1,300-seat Paramount Theatre built in 1915 and the 300-seat State Theatre built in 1935) in downtown Austin, presenting over 550 events annually including live music, comedy, film screenings, theatrical productions, and speaking events. The organization also owns and produces the annual Moontower Comedy Festival and Summer Classic Film Series, and delivers arts education programs serving 35,000+ Central Texas students each year. Revenue is generated through ticket sales, memberships, donations, venue rentals, merchandise, and an annual fundraising gala.
Is The Paramount Theatre a public or private company?
The Paramount Theatre is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Paramount Theatre founded?
The Paramount Theatre was founded in 1915. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is The Paramount Theatre based?
The Paramount Theatre is headquartered in Austin, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Paramount Theatre make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Ticket Sales are the primary driver. The others are memberships, capital Campaign Donations, merchandise Sales, venue Rental, in-Kind Donations and annual Gala.
Who are The Paramount Theatre's main competitors?
Regional players on record are AT&T Performing Arts Center and Tobin Center for the Performing Arts. Broad incumbents are Carnegie Hall, Steppenwolf Theatre Company and Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM). Direct peers are Long Center for the Performing Arts, ZACH Theatre, ACL Live at The Moody Theater and Bass Concert Hall (Texas Performing Arts). Cap City Comedy Club is listed as an emerging player.
Does The Paramount Theatre have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Paramount Theatre.
What industry is The Paramount Theatre in?
The Paramount Theatre's product category is Performing Arts Venues. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGALAB, Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses), with a secondary code of MPAGABAM, Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking). Its NAICS code is 711110 and its SIC code is 7900.