Centenary Stage Company

What Centenary Stage Company does

Centenary Stage Company (CSC) is a not-for-profit professional performing arts organization founded in 1992 and operating in residence at Centenary University in Hackettstown, New Jersey. It functions as the only professional Actors' Equity Association (AEA SPT contract) theatre in the Northwest New Jersey Skylands region, presenting more than 20 productions annually across its Professional Theatre Series, Summerfest, Live Music, and Professional Dance programming at the 22,000 sq ft Lackland Performing Arts Center, which houses a 504-seat Sitnik Theatre, 120-seat Kutz Black Box Theatre, and the 160-seat Little Theatre. The organization layers educational and developmental programming onto its core productions, including the Young Performers Workshop (ages 8–18), Young Audience Series (with touring productions for schools), NEXTstage Repertory (Centenary University's student performance division), the Conservatory of Dance, and the Women Playwrights Series — a developmental program that has featured over 80 female playwrights and produced more than 20 world premieres since 1992.

CSC's revenue model is a hybrid of earned and contributed income: ticket sales (priced $17.50–$35 depending on production and day, with resident/student/alumni rush discounts), season subscriptions, flex passes, group sales (20–25% off for parties of 15+), buffet matinee packages (from $37.50/person), and branded merchandise cover approximately 60% of operating costs. The remaining ~40% is raised through individual donations (including a 35 for 35 anniversary campaign and Adopt-a-Chair tiers of $250–$1,000), foundation grants (Shubert Foundation, Blanche & Irving Laurie Foundation, Sandra S. Kupperman Foundation, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation), corporate sponsorships (Atlantic Health System, Visions Federal Credit Union), playbill and web advertising, and restaurant partnership cross-promotion with five local establishments. Go-to-market is community-led and direct-to-consumer: box office at the venue, OvationTix online ticketing, email newsletter, multi-platform social (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Twitch, Twitter), press coverage in outlets including Broadway World and NY Times, and word-of-mouth through an extensive volunteer network and house-party outreach.

The organization reaches approximately 26,000 patrons and 4,000+ students annually, is governed by an Advisory Board chaired by Arthur Charlton, and is led by Artistic Director Carl Wallnau (MFA Rutgers Mason Gross; 60+ directed productions) and General Manager Christopher Young (former CSC Marketing & Social Media Manager; MFA Ohio University). Operational technology is limited to standard performing arts infrastructure (audio description systems, assistive listening devices, 360-degree virtual venue tour) — there is no AI/ML, proprietary software platform, or external integrations beyond OvationTix ticketing and conventional web/e-commerce tooling.

Name

Centenary Stage Company

Legal name

Centenary Stage Company

Website

https://centenarystageco.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Centenary Stage Company is a not-for-profit professional Actors' Equity theatre in residence at Centenary University in Hackettstown, NJ, presenting 20+ annual productions, educational programs (YPW, YAS), and the Women Playwrights Series to ~26,000 patrons in the Northwest NJ Skylands region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Theatre & Performing Arts

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Other Performing Arts Companies (71119), Musical Groups and Artists (71113)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Regional & Repertory Theatre Companies (MPAGABAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB), Musical Theatre (Non-Broadway/Fringe) (MPAGABAG), Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music) (BPAGAHAB)

Keywords

• Professional live theatre
• Performing arts productions
• Youth theatre education
• Theatrical dance concerts
• Playwright development programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Hackettstown

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Primary revenue stream from individual performance tickets across professional theatre, live music, dance events, and summer series. Ticket prices range from $17.50-$35 depending on production and day.
2. Season Subscriptions: Season subscription packages offering discounted access to multiple productions throughout the 2026-27 season.
3. Flex Pass: Flexible pass allowing patrons to attend multiple performances at their convenience.
4. Group Sales and Buffet Packages: Group rates with 20-25% discounts for parties of 15 or more, plus buffet matinee packages starting at $37.50 per person.
5. Donations and Fundraising: Tax-deductible donations through the 35 for 35 campaign and general donations. Adopt-a-Chair program with levels from $250-$1,000. Vehicle donations through Vehicles for Charity.
6. Merchandise Sales: Online merch store selling branded merchandise and gift certificates.
7. Advertising and Business Partnerships: Advertising opportunities including CSC Playbill, season sponsorship, event sponsorship, restaurant package, web page ads, and admission ticket advertising.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Centenary Stage Company is a not-for-profit professional Equity theatre that produces and presents live theatrical productions, live music concerts, and professional dance performances at the Lackland Performing Arts Center in Hackettstown, NJ. Its offerings include a Professional Theatre Series, a Summerfest summer musical season, year-round educational programs for youth (Young Performers Workshop, Young Audience Series, Conservatory of Dance), a developmental Women Playwrights Series, and group sales/subscription ticketing packages. The organization operates in residence at Centenary University, employing AEA professional actors, directors, and designers.

Product overview

Centenary Stage Company is a professional not-for-profit performing arts organization operating as a unified platform of theatrical and educational programs in residence at Centenary University in Hackettstown, NJ. The core platform encompasses mainstage professional theatre productions (Professional Theatre Series), summer musical theatre (Summerfest), and year-round performing arts programming. Supporting modules include educational programs (Young Performers Workshop, Young Audience Series, Conservatory of Dance, Theatre Degree Program), developmental initiatives (Women Playwrights Series, Artistic Internship Program), and audience engagement offerings (Season Subscriptions, Flex Pass, Group Sales & Buffet Matinee). The organization also maintains student performance divisions (NEXTstage Repertory) and presents live music and professional dance events. Ticket sales and donations fund operations, with venues including the 504-seat Sitnik Theatre, 120-seat Kutz Black Box Theatre, and 160-seat Little Theatre at the Lackland Performing Arts Center.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Women Playwrights Series (WPS): A developmental program dedicated to providing a working forum for women playwrights, featuring annual staged readings and workshops.
• Young Performers Workshop (YPW)
• Young Audience Series (YAS)
• NEXTstage Repertory
• NEXTstage Rep

Products and services

• Professional Theatre Series Mainstage theatrical productions performed by professional actors employing members of the Actor's Equity Association, featuring over 20 productions annually in live music events, professional dance, and professional Equity theatre.
• Summerfest Summer theatre season featuring musical theatre productions including The Wedding Singer and Maltby & Shire's Closer Than Ever at the Sitnik and Kutz Theatres.
• NEXTstage Repertory

Quantifiable outcome

• 4,000+ students influenced annually through educational theatre programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and supporting.

• National New Play NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of National New Play Network, a consortium of theatres dedicated to developing and producing new plays. Provides collaborative opportunities for playwright development and new work production.
• Centenary UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution providing in-kind space and utilities. CSC is in residence on the campus of Centenary University. Students participate in professional productions earning EMC points toward AEA membership.
• The House of the Good ShepherdminorOthersCommunity organization and supporter of CSC programming in the Skylands region.
• Mama's Cafe BacisupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerRestaurant partner offering dining recommendations for CSC patrons. Family-owned Italian restaurant since 1970 with live entertainment and outdoor patio.
• Marley's Gotham GrillsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerRestaurant partner known as 'home of 300 wing flavors' offering dining options for CSC patrons before and after performances.
• Mattar's BistrosupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerModern American cuisine restaurant partner using fresh, local products with outdoor dining on heated veranda.
• Pandan RoomsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerThai and Indonesian restaurant partner, BYOB, offering Pan-Asian cuisine for CSC patrons.
• Sonny's Pizza IIsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerPizza restaurant partner offering unique menu items like French toast pizza and pierogi pie for CSC dining options.
• WNTI RadiosupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCentenary University's internet radio station located in the Lackland Performing Arts Center, promoting CSC events.
• WXPN RadiominorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional radio station supporting arts programming and promoting CSC events in the Philadelphia region.
• WRNJ RadiominorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal radio station supporting regional arts and cultural programming in the Skylands area.
• Amazon SmileminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAmazon program where 0.5% of qualifying purchases are donated to CSC when shoppers select Centenary College as their charity.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• George Street Playhouse: Professional regional theatre in New Brunswick, NJ producing mainstage productions and new works. Comparable to CSC as a New Jersey AEA-contract theatre with similar programming philosophy and educational outreach.
• Bristol Riverside Theatre: Professional regional theatre in Bucks County, PA producing mainstage productions and educational programming. Comparable to CSC as a mid-sized regional equity theatre serving a suburban/rural catchment with similar programming scale.
• Premiere Stages: Professional equity theatre at Kean University in Union, NJ producing new plays and classics. Comparable to CSC as a university-affiliated professional theatre with new play development focus and AEA SPT contract structure.
• Luna Stage: Professional regional theatre in West Orange, NJ producing mainstage productions and developmental work. Comparable to CSC as a smaller NJ-based equity theatre with similar programming philosophy and audience development approach.
• Two River Theater: Professional AEA regional theatre in Red Bank, NJ producing a season of plays, musicals, and new works. Comparable to CSC as a New Jersey-based equity theatre with new play development programming and similar operational scale.
• Paper Mill Playhouse: Regional professional theatre in Millburn, NJ operating under an AEA contract, producing musicals, plays, and children's programming. Comparable as a New Jersey-based equity theatre with educational programs and similar programming mix to CSC.
• People's Light: Professional equity regional theatre in Malvern, PA with robust educational programming and new work development. Comparable to CSC in operating model, AEA contract use, community engagement focus, and integrated education/outreach programs.
• Bucks County Playhouse: Historic regional theatre in New Hope, PA producing professional productions with a mix of classics and new works. Comparable to CSC as a regional theatre in the Mid-Atlantic serving a similar suburban/rural catchment area.

Broad incumbents

• Hartford Stage: LORT-contract regional theatre in Hartford, CT producing classic and contemporary works. Comparable to CSC in operating model (professional equity regional theatre with educational programming) but at larger scale and broader regional draw.
• McCarter Theatre Center: Major regional theatre at Princeton University producing professional theatre, dance, and music events. Comparable to CSC as a NJ-based performing arts presenter but at significantly larger scale with broader programming and major foundation support.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/centenarystage
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/centenarystageco
• Facebookfacebook.com/centenary.stagecompany
• Instagraminstagram.com/centenarystage
• TikToktiktok.com/@centenarystagecompany?
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/centenary-stage-company

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 Centenary Stage Company