The Paramount Theatre

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.

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

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

• Live performing arts
• Historic theater venue
• Comedy festival production
• Arts education programs
• Film screening series

Headquarters

HQ city

Austin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from selling tickets to 550+ annual events including performances, films, and comedy shows across the Paramount and State Theatres.
2. Memberships: Annual membership programs providing benefits including pre-sale access, premium seats, and invitations to exclusive events. Supports operational funding year-to-year.
3. 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.
4. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including Paramount Ringer T-Shirts and other commemorative items through the theatre store.
5. Venue Rental: Theatres available for venue rental for private events and functions.
6. In-Kind Donations: Acceptance of in-kind donations including vacation home stays, jewelry, artwork, travel vouchers, and services for gala auctions.
7. Annual Gala: Annual fundraising gala featuring live performances, auctions, and premium experiences. 2025 gala featuring Lyle Lovett and his Large Band.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core 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

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Austin Arts, Culture, Music, & EntertainmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides Heritage Preservation Grants supporting capital improvements at the Paramount and State Theatres as part of Austin's arts and culture initiatives.
• Anderson's Coffee & TeaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting partner supporting theatre operations and events.
• Dell TechnologiesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting partner providing technology support and sponsorship.
• KUT & KUTXminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAustin public radio station partnership for media promotion and community engagement.
• Hyatt Centric HotelminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial festival hotel for Moontower Comedy Festival badge pickup and festival operations. Located at 721 Congress Avenue next to State Theatre.
• Cap City Comedy ClubminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner venue during Moontower Comedy Festival where badge holders can request complimentary reserved tickets for shows at the Main Room and Red Room.
• Antone's NightclubminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFestival venue partner for comedy club binge during Moontower Comedy Festival.
• FetiiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGroup rideshare partner offering festival goers deal with code MOONTOWER (free ride for new users, 25% off for existing users).
• IATSE Local 205coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerExclusive union partnership for all stagehand and crew needs at the Paramount and State Theatres.
• Velveeta RoomminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFestival venue partner for comedy club binge during Moontower Comedy Festival.
• Vulcan Gas CompanyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFestival venue partner for comedy club binge during Moontower Comedy Festival.
• Fallout TheaterminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAll-ages festival venue partner for Moontower Comedy Festival.
• MaieB HospitalityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCulinary chair for Paramount Gala providing restaurant partnerships and event catering.
• JewBoy BurgersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured food vendor at 2025 Paramount Gala auction event.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional 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

• Xx.com/ParamountAustin
• Facebookfacebook.com/paramounttheatre
• Instagraminstagram.com/paramountaustin

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries3 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 The Paramount Theatre