Bardavon Opera House
Bardavon Opera House is a New York nonprofit operating two historic theaters in the Hudson Valley — the 944-seat Bardavon in Poughkeepsie and the 1,510-seat UPAC in Kingston — presenting live performances, opera broadcasts, films, and educational programs to approximately 80,000 annual attendees.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1869
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Bardavon Opera House does
Bardavon 1869 Opera House, Inc. is a New York State nonprofit corporation operating two historic performing arts venues in the Hudson Valley: the 944-seat Bardavon 1869 Opera House in Poughkeepsie (founded 1869, the oldest continuously operating theater in New York State) and the 1,510-seat Ulster Performing Arts Center (UPAC) in Kingston (acquired 2006 and merged in 2007). Both venues are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The organization presents an annual season of live music, dance, theater, comedy, the Met: Live in HD opera broadcast series, a free classic film series, and a daytime education series reaching approximately 3,300 regional students annually, alongside in-school residencies (Hip Hop Theater since 2006, Circus residency) and a subsidized field-trip program offering $3 student tickets. A unique 1928 Wurlitzer pipe organ (10 ranks, 700+ pipes, 2-manual 7-rank Style 'E' instrument with chambers for Diapason, Flute, Strings, Celeste, Tibia, Vox Humana, Trumpet, percussion and sound effects, restored and maintained by the New York Theatre Organ Society) is housed at the Bardavon and constitutes an irreplaceable heritage asset.
Revenue is generated through a hybrid nonprofit model combining transaction-based ticket sales (priced from $30 for Met HD broadcasts to $199 for comedy/drag, distributed via Ticketmaster and venue box offices), a recurring annual membership program with eight tiers ranging from $100 (Fan) to $5,000+ (Legend), an annual gala with sponsorship tiers from $1,450 (Enthusiast) to $6,500+ (Angel), theater rentals with separate technical/staffing fees, concessions (including reusable BardaCups for members), and donation/planned-giving vehicles (charitable gift annuities, stock gifts, name-a-seat campaigns). The organization serves approximately 80,000 annual attendees across performances, programs, and off-site events; primary customer segments are general public audiences in the 9-county Hudson Valley region, regional K-12 schools, corporate/private event renters, and community nonprofit beneficiaries (with 30+ administrative staff plus consultants).
The go-to-market model is direct-to-consumer via owned box offices at both venues and Ticketmaster online, supplemented by eight email and social media channels (website, email newsletter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, seasonal playbills, radio and print ads, plus Facebook and Google Custom Audience retargeting). Strategic partnerships with New York Stage & Film, the Met: Live in HD network, DSP Shows, Mills Entertainment, Palladium Entertainment, BenDeLaCreme, Classical Arts Entertainment, and Deaf West Theatre sustain the programming pipeline. Bryan Zellmer serves as Executive Director; governance is provided by a Board of Directors led by President Nicholas Mauro. Cumulative capital restoration across both venues has exceeded $22 million as of 2025.
Bardavon Opera House firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Bardavon Opera House
- Legal name
- Bardavon 1869 Opera House, Inc.
- Website
- https://www.bardavon.org/
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1869
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Bardavon Opera House is a New York nonprofit operating two historic theaters in the Hudson Valley — the 944-seat Bardavon in Poughkeepsie and the 1,510-seat UPAC in Kingston — presenting live performances, opera broadcasts, films, and educational programs to approximately 80,000 annual attendees.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Bardavon Opera House industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Performing Arts Venue
- NAICS
- Performing Arts Companies (7111), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Performing Arts & Cultural Event Venues (Theaters, Museums) (THAHAAAG), Regional & Repertory Theatre Companies (MPAGABAB), Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB)
Keywords
Where Bardavon Opera House is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Bardavon Opera House business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Ticket Sales: Revenue from individual show tickets sold through box offices and Ticketmaster. Multiple price tiers vary by event and seating location.
- Membership Program: Annual membership donations at various tiers ($100-$5000+) providing presale access, discounts, and other benefits. Individual/family memberships and Business Council memberships available.
- Theater Rentals: Venues available for public rental with fee schedules for daily/weekly rental, equipment, technical services, and staffing.
- Sponsorships: Program, show, and benefit sponsorships at various levels. Includes annual gala sponsorship, education program sponsorship, and show sponsorship with promotional and entertainment benefits.
- Donations & Planned Giving: Historic restoration donations, name-a-seat campaigns, stock gifts, bequests, and planned giving through charitable gift annuities.
- Concessions: Food and beverage sales at performances including BardaCups reusable cups for members.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Others | Pay-as-you-go | Theater Rental |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | VIP/Meet & Greet Packages |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | General Admission Events |
| Subscription | Annual | Individual/Family Membership Tiers |
| Subscription | Annual | Annual Gala Sponsorship |
| Others | Pay-as-you-go | Show Sponsorship |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Bardavon Opera House product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Bardavon 1869 Opera House operates two historic performing arts venues in the Hudson Valley—the 944-seat Bardavon in Poughkeepsie and the 1,510-seat Ulster Performing Arts Center (UPAC) in Kingston—presenting live national and international touring acts in music, dance, theater, comedy, and opera broadcasts, with complementary education programs, theater rentals, memberships, and sponsorship opportunities. The organization is a 501(c)-equivalent New York State nonprofit offering cultural programming, accessible arts education to regional schools, and community engagement events.
Product overview
Bardavon Opera House operates as a performing arts presenting organization with two historic venue brands: the Bardavon 1869 Opera House (Poughkeepsie, 944 seats) and Ulster Performing Arts Center/UPAC (Kingston, 1510 seats). The core offering is presenting live performances across genres (music, dance, theater, comedy) and special programming including Met: Live in HD opera broadcasts and a Free Film Series. These venues are complemented by Education Series daytime performances and In-School Residencies (Hip Hop Theater, Circus) serving regional students. Additional revenue streams include Theater Rentals, Membership Programs (individual and business tiers), and Sponsorship opportunities. The Bardavon Wurlitzer Theater Organ serves as a unique historic asset and attraction.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Mainstage Performances Live music, dance, theater, comedy, and spoken word performances presented at Bardavon 1869 Opera House (944 seats) and UPAC (1,510 seats) featuring national and international touring artists. Available to the general public, arts patrons, and Hudson Valley audiences.
- Met: Live in HD Opera Broadcasts Satellite broadcasts of live performances from the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City, shown in high-definition at Bardavon venues. Award-winning series broadcast to over 900 theaters worldwide. Available to general audiences and opera patrons.
- Free Film Series Free classic film screenings from the 1920s-1970s originally shown at the theater during those decades, often with themed content and community engagement. Available to general audiences and community groups.
- Education Series / Daytime Performances Age-appropriate live theater, dance, and musical performances designed for school groups and families, reaching approximately 3,300 regional students annually with workshops and assemblies. Available to K-12 schools and families.
- In-School Residencies Arts-in-education programs including Hip Hop Theater (since 2006) and Circus residencies bringing professional artists into schools for two-week programs supporting Common Core Learning Standards. Available to K-12 schools and educational institutions.
- Field-Trip Fund Subsidized ticket program providing $3 tickets for students to attend Daytime Series performances, with transportation subsidies for underserved schools. Available to K-12 schools and students.
- Theater Rentals Rental of Bardavon 1869 Opera House (944 seats) and UPAC (1,510 seats) venues for private events, corporate functions, and community gatherings with technical equipment, Wurlitzer organ access, and staffing services. Available to corporations, community organizations, and event planners.
- Membership Program Annual membership tiers (Fan through Legend at $100-$5,000+ for individuals; Stockholder through Producer for businesses) providing presale access, discounts averaging $5/seat, complimentary tickets at higher tiers, and exclusive benefits. Available to individual patrons and businesses.
- Sponsorship Programs Program and show sponsorship opportunities including Annual Gala sponsorships (Angel $6,500+ through Enthusiast $1,450), Education Program sponsorships, and Show Sponsorship for exclusive title sponsors with marquee, print, radio, and website recognition. Available to corporate sponsors and businesses.
- Bardavon Wurlitzer Theater Organ Historic 1928 Wurlitzer pipe organ with 10 ranks across 700+ pipes, air pressure-operated via a 5-horsepower blower, maintained by the New York Theatre Organ Society (NYTOS). Featured in performances and a unique cultural asset.
- Donations and Planned Giving Historic restoration donations, name-a-seat campaigns, stock gifts, bequests, and planned giving through charitable gift annuities supporting the Bardavon's nonprofit operations and capital restoration projects.
- Concessions Food and beverage sales at performances including BardaCups reusable cups for members. Available to performance attendees and members.
Companies that use Bardavon Opera House
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Bardavon Opera House technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
Feature1 record
Bardavon Opera House partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.
- The Table at WoodstockminorFood security nonprofit beneficiary of Jack DeJohnette tribute concert.
- New York Stage & FilmcoreCo-presents annual summer season featuring new and developing plays and musicals at Bardavon and Marist University Symphonic Hall. Includes benefit readings, world premieres, and staged productions.
- The Met: Live in HDcorePresents live satellite broadcasts of Metropolitan Opera performances from NYC to Bardavon venues. An award-winning series broadcast to over 900 theaters worldwide.
- DSP ShowsmajorCo-presenter of touring music acts including Lucy Dacus and Wailin' Jennys concerts.
- Mills EntertainmentminorPresents touring shows including Theresa Caputo Live! The Experience.
- Palladium EntertainmentminorPresents Brit Floyd Pink Floyd tribute show at Bardavon.
- Absolutely Live EntertainmentminorPresents Jack DeJohnette tribute concert (benefit for Family of Woodstock).
- BenDeLaCrememinorPresents The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show annually.
- Classical Arts EntertainmentminorPresents ballet productions including Cinderella and Swan Lake by United European Ballet Company.
- Deaf West TheatremajorCollaborative partner on Andrew Lloyd Webber's Whistle Down the Wind production, bringing visually-driven storytelling with ASL integration.
- LW Entertainment Ltd.majorArrangement with LW Entertainment for Andrew Lloyd Webber's Whistle Down the Wind production.
- Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC)majorCollaborative partner on Whistle Down the Wind production.
- Marist UniversitymajorHost venue partner for New York Stage & Film summer season productions at Symphonic Hall.
- New York Theatre Organ Society (NYTOS)majorOwns and maintains the Bardavon's Wurlitzer pipe organ. Completed restoration in 1990 and continues organ maintenance and enhancement.
- Family of WoodstockminorBeneficiary of Jack DeJohnette tribute concert proceeds. Social services organization serving the Hudson Valley.
- MHA of Dutchess CountyminorMental health nonprofit beneficiary of The Sound of Nashville benefit concert.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Bardavon Opera House competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Proctors Collaborative: Regional presenting organization in Schenectady, NY operating multiple historic venues with similar performing arts programming, education programs, and co-presentation model. Directly comparable as a mid-size upstate New York presenting nonprofit serving a similar geographic band.
- Palace Theatre (Albany): Historic 2,800-seat theater in downtown Albany presenting concerts, Broadway tours, and family programming. Operates as a 501(c)(3) presenting organization in the same upstate NY regional market, comparable in scale and historic-venue operating model.
- Tarrytown Music Hall: Historic 843-seat nonprofit music and event venue in Westchester County, NY. Comparable as a smaller-scale historic theater operating presenting organization with education programming serving the Hudson Valley corridor.
- The Paramount (Huntington): 1,555-seat historic theater on Long Island presenting concerts, comedy, and family shows. Comparable as a Long Island regional presenting venue with similar co-presentation, rental, and ticket-sales economics.
- The Colonial Theatre (Phoenixville, PA): Historic nonprofit regional theater presenting music, film, and live performance in suburban Pennsylvania. Comparable as a single-venue historic presenting organization with education programming and donor-driven operating model.
- St. George Theatre: 2,800-seat historic 1929 movie palace in Staten Island, NY, operating as a nonprofit presenting organization with education programs. Comparable as a Northeast regional historic-venue presenting nonprofit serving metropolitan commuter audiences.
Regional players
- Fisher Center at Bard College: Performing arts presenter and venue at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, NY, presenting world-class music, dance, and theater. Comparable as Hudson Valley-based presenter but anchored by an academic institution, altering the operating model.
Broad incumbents
- Carnegie Hall: Iconic 2,804-seat concert venue and nonprofit presenting organization in Manhattan. Comparable as a historic performance venue and presenting nonprofit but at substantially larger scale and broader international programming portfolio.
- Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts: Premier NYC performing arts complex hosting multiple resident companies and presenting a broad slate of theater, opera, dance, and concerts. Comparable only as a performing arts presenter and venue operator at the largest end of the spectrum, not direct competition for Hudson Valley audiences.
Emerging players
- MASS MoCA: Contemporary art museum in North Adams, MA operating large-scale visual and performing arts programming. Comparable as a regional nonprofit arts anchor that combines visual programming with live performance and ticketed events in a smaller-city market.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Bardavon Opera House social profiles
Digital presenceBardavon Opera House compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Bardavon Opera House financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Bardavon Opera House leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles15 records
Bardavon Opera House subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Bardavon Opera House funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Bardavon Opera House 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 Bardavon Opera House
What does Bardavon Opera House do?
The Bardavon 1869 Opera House operates two historic performing arts venues in the Hudson Valley—the 944-seat Bardavon in Poughkeepsie and the 1,510-seat Ulster Performing Arts Center (UPAC) in Kingston—presenting live national and international touring acts in music, dance, theater, comedy, and opera broadcasts, with complementary education programs, theater rentals, memberships, and sponsorship opportunities. The organization is a 501(c)-equivalent New York State nonprofit offering cultural programming, accessible arts education to regional schools, and community engagement events.
Is Bardavon Opera House a public or private company?
Bardavon Opera House is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Bardavon Opera House founded?
Bardavon Opera House was founded in 1869. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Bardavon Opera House based?
Bardavon Opera House is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does Bardavon Opera House make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Ticket Sales are the primary driver. The others are membership Program, theater Rentals, sponsorships, donations & Planned Giving and concessions.
Who are Bardavon Opera House's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Proctors Collaborative, Palace Theatre (Albany), Tarrytown Music Hall, The Paramount (Huntington), The Colonial Theatre (Phoenixville, PA) and St. George Theatre. Fisher Center at Bard College is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. MASS MoCA is listed as an emerging player.
Does Bardavon Opera House have an API?
No public API is recorded for Bardavon Opera House.
What industry is Bardavon Opera House in?
Bardavon Opera House's product category is Performing Arts Venue. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGABAM, Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking), with a secondary code of THAHAAAG, Performing Arts & Cultural Event Venues (Theaters, Museums). Its NAICS code is 7111 and its SIC code is 7900.