The Calumet Theatre

What The Calumet Theatre does

The Calumet Theatre is a historic performing arts venue located at 340 Sixth Street in Calumet, Michigan, operated by the Calumet Theatre Company, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit incorporated in 1983 that leases the building from the Village of Calumet. The theatre opened in 1900 as the first municipality-built and owned theater in the United States and is a Renaissance Revival landmark with ornate copper cornices, crimson-and-gold interiors, and hand-painted proscenium murals; it historically hosted performers including Sarah Bernhardt, John Philip Sousa, and Douglas Fairbanks Sr. Programming includes live concerts and tribute acts (Jay & the Americans, ABBA LA, Beatles 'n Friends, Taylor Swift Tribute, Heartache Tonight, The HYPE), theatrical productions, the free Movie Magic summer series, and the free Summer Concert Series. The venue also operates the Red Jacket Ballroom (capacity 207) for weddings, receptions, parties, and corporate events, and offers two-hour guided heritage tours of the building.

The Calumet Theatre is a member-supported, volunteer-driven organization with 8 employees, 70+ volunteers, a 9-member Board of Directors, and 500+ members. Its business model is a hybrid of earned and contributed revenue: ticket sales (ranging from free Movie Magic screenings to $300 VIP boxes on premium concerts), membership dues, venue rentals ($500-$3,500 packages), concessions, guided tours, individual donations, and grants from the State of Michigan through the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. Operations occur without local tax support. Distribution is via on-site box office, phone sales, the csstix.com third-party ticketing platform, and local radio/promotional partners (The Lift 99.3, KBear, Houghton's Breeze, WOLF). The core technology stack is non-proprietary — a website, social media, off-the-shelf ticketing and Square-based merchandise — managed by a Technical Director; there is no AI/ML, API, or proprietary platform layer. Customer segments span the general public/community members (primary), private event organizers (weddings, corporate), area school systems, and nonprofit co-presenters such as The Storytelling Center, OMEGA House, and Grace Christian Fellowship. Geographic focus is the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with secondary Midwest exposure.

Name

The Calumet Theatre

Legal name

Calumet Theatre Company

Website

https://calumettheatre.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Calumet Theatre is a 1900 historic Renaissance Revival performing arts venue in Calumet, Michigan, operated by a nonprofit that hosts concerts, tribute acts, movies, theatrical productions, and private events for the Upper Peninsula community.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Venue

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (71111), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Event Operations & Venue Services (Box Office, FOH/BOH, Concessions) (MPAIAFAL), Performing Arts & Cultural Event Venues (Theaters, Museums) (THAHAAAG), Cultural Festivals & Events Organizations (BPAGAHAG), Theater, Musicals & Performing Arts (THAJAFAB)

Keywords

• Live event venue
• Performing arts theatre
• Historic theater tours
• Venue rental services
• Community arts programming

Headquarters

HQ city

Calumet

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from selling tickets to performances, concerts, and events. Pricing varies by event with VIP packages, general admission, and balcony seating options. Ticket prices range from free events (Movie Magic) to premium concerts ($250 VIP for headline acts).
2. Membership Dues: Annual membership program supporting the theatre. Members receive benefits including voting rights, participation in theatre activities, and access to member-exclusive events. The organization has 500+ members paying annual dues.
3. Venue Rentals: The Red Jacket Ballroom and Theatre are available for rental for private events including weddings, receptions, parties, and corporate events. Rental packages range from $500 (private movie event) to $3,500 (stage wedding package).
4. Donations and Grants: Funded by individual donations, grants from the State of Michigan through the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, and fundraising activities. In the absence of local tax support, donations are critical to operations.
5. Concessions: Food and beverage sales during events including popcorn, water, candy, and drinks. Concessions are available at movie screenings and concerts.
6. Guided Tours: Two-hour guided tours of the historic theatre available by appointment. Tours include the auditorium, dressing rooms, balconies, and Red Jacket Ballroom.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Calumet Theatre operates a historic 1900 Renaissance Revival performing arts venue in Calumet, Michigan, hosting ticketed and free live concerts, tribute shows, theatrical productions, and a Summer Concert Series. The venue also offers free Movie Magic screenings, two-hour guided historic tours, and rentals of the Red Jacket Ballroom and theatre for weddings, receptions, and private events. Operations are sustained by ticket sales, memberships, donations, state arts grants, concessions, and venue rental fees through the 501(c)(3) Calumet Theatre Company.

Product overview

The Calumet Theatre Company operates a historic 1900 Renaissance Revival theater offering live performance events (concerts, tribute shows, theatrical productions), free movie screenings (Movie Magic), a Summer Concert Series, guided tours, and venue rentals including the Red Jacket Ballroom and wedding/event packages. The nonprofit organization (501(c)(3)) is supported by membership dues, ticket sales, user fees, state arts funding, and donations. Services include technical support for events, a volunteer program, and membership opportunities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Live Performance Events The Calumet Theatre hosts live performance events including concerts, tribute shows, theatrical productions, and special performances featuring both national acts and local artists.
• Movie Magic Summer Series Free family-friendly movie screenings during summer months, offered through generous donations and grants.
• Summer Concert Series A recurring series of free concerts featuring local and regional musicians performing various genres including rock, country, folk, bluegrass, and Americana.
• Guided Historic Tours Two-hour guided tours of the historic 1900 Renaissance Revival theater, including the auditorium, dressing rooms, balconies, and Red Jacket Ballroom, led by knowledgeable guides.
• Theatre and Ballroom Rentals Venue rental options including the Red Jacket Ballroom (capacity 207), theatre space for private movie events, party packages, and wedding packages (receptions and stage weddings).
• Membership Program Annual membership program offering regular, honorary, and corporate/municipal membership tiers with voting rights and participation benefits.
• Red Jacket Jamboree An old-time radio variety show produced by Real People Media, distributed by PRX to public radio stations nationwide, featuring live recordings in front of an audience.

Quantifiable outcome

• First municipality built and owned theatre in the United States
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• OMEGA HouseminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 October 2026Annual fundraiser partner hosting The HYPE 80s tribute concert at the theatre. The partnership supports OMEGA House's annual fundraiser with a sold-out benefit concert.
• Grace Christian FellowshipminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 July 2026Co-presenter of FOREVER BE SURE MUSIC concert featuring songs of faith, truth, hope, and harmony. A free music concert for the whole family organized as a community partnership.
• Copper Island PrintingminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 July 2026Co-presenter of FOREVER BE SURE MUSIC concert event, providing promotional and organizational support for the community music event.
• The Storytelling CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 July 2026Co-presenter of The Red Jacket Jamboree - an old-time radio variety show sharing songs, stories, and history of the copper country. Produced by Real People Media and distributed by PRX to public radio stations throughout the U.S. The partnership creates unique live radio recording events at the theatre.
• Village of CalumetcoreOthersThe theatre is owned by and leased from the Village of Calumet. The Calumet Theatre Company assumes responsibility for all operating costs for the facility. This is the foundational partnership enabling theatre operations.
• Business Sponsors (2025-2026)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal business sponsors supporting the theatre through the 2025-2026 sponsorship program. Provides mutual promotional visibility for sponsors while supporting theatre operations and programming.
• Media Partners (The Lift 99.3, KBear, Houghton's Breeze, WOLF)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal radio station partners providing promotional support and community outreach for theatre events and programming.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Ohio Theatre (Cleveland, OH): A historic 1920s-era performing arts venue operating as a nonprofit presenting concerts, films, and community events. Directly comparable to Calumet Theatre as a similarly structured historic venue with mixed ticketed/free programming and member/donor-supported operating model.
• Palace Theatre (Marion, OH): A nonprofit historic theater in a small Midwest town, presenting concerts, films, and community events with a member-supported operating model. Directly comparable in scale, mission, and operating structure to Calumet Theatre.
• Michigan Theatre (Ann Arbor / Jackson, MI): Michigan-based historic nonprofit theaters offering film screenings, live performances, and community programming in restored historic venues. Comparable regional peer with similar mix of ticketed events, rentals, and member-supported operations in Michigan.
• Bijou Theatre (Knoxville, TN): A nonprofit historic performing arts venue operating a 1909 theater in a smaller market. Comparable to Calumet Theatre as a community-owned historic theater presenting diverse ticketed and free programming sustained through memberships and donations.
• Egyptian Theatre (Boise, ID): A nonprofit historic performing arts venue operating a 1907-vintage theater in a smaller market, presenting concerts, films, and community programming. Directly comparable as a member/donor-supported historic venue with similar scale and programming mix.
• Tivoli Theatre (Chattanooga, TN): A nonprofit historic 1921-era theater presenting films, concerts, and live performances. Comparable to Calumet Theatre as a heritage theater with diverse programming and a donor/member-supported operating model.
• The Strand Theatre (Lakewood, OH): A nonprofit historic 1917 theater offering concerts, films, and community programming in a smaller market. Comparable to Calumet Theatre as a community-supported heritage venue with mixed ticketed/free programming.
• State Theatre (Minneapolis, MN): A nonprofit historic performing arts venue in the Upper Midwest presenting concerts, films, and community events. Comparable to Calumet Theatre in mission (preservation + programming), Midwest nonprofit structure, and member-supported operating model.

Others

• PRX (Public Radio Exchange): Public radio distribution partner for The Storytelling Center's Red Jacket Jamboree recorded at Calumet Theatre. Relevant as a content-distribution ecosystem partner that extends the theatre's programming reach beyond the local market.
• Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs: State arts funding agency that provides operating grants to Calumet Theatre. Comparable as a key funding ecosystem partner rather than a competitor; illustrates the broader Michigan nonprofit arts infrastructure Calumet operates within.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=7Y7B_nl6O7g
• Xx.com/CalumetTheatre
• Facebookfacebook.com/calumettheatre
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/calumet-theatre

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Calumet Theatre