What Shubert Theatre does

The Shubert Theatre is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit performing arts venue located at 247 College Street in New Haven, Connecticut, founded in 1914 and currently owned and operated by the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA) following a 2013 ownership transfer from the City of New Haven. The venue's core product is a 1,664-seat, three-level historic Broadway-style theatre outfitted with state-of-the-art sound and lighting equipment, a fly gallery, dressing rooms, and a built-in projection system; it is supplemented by four ancillary rentable spaces — Elm City's Cabaret (an intimate cabaret space in the renovated Mezzanine lobby), the KeyBank Suite (private event space for up to 75 guests), and the managed 325-seat Mainstage Theatre plus two dance studios at the adjacent Cooperative Arts & Humanities High School.

The theatre derives revenue from six streams: individual ticket sales, recurring subscription series (Broadway Series and Rhythm & Grooves Series), venue rentals for corporate and private events, advertising in printed programs, gift certificate sales, and donations/fundraising including the annual Shubert Gala and corporate sponsorships (M&T Bank, KeyBank, Jordan's Furniture, ASML). It serves four primary customer segments: performing arts enthusiasts (general public ticketing), educational institutions (Classroom Connections and youth programs), corporate/private event organizers, and nonprofit partners receiving free tickets through CAPA Community Connections. Its go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, combining direct box-office and online sales with subscription marketing, community outreach, and corporate sponsorship channels.

The Shubert is widely recognized as 'The Birthplace of the Nation's Greatest Hits,' having hosted over 600 pre-Broadway tryouts, more than 300 world premieres, and 50 American premieres — totals that exceed those of any theatre in New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, or Washington. Marquee alumni of early professional acclaim include Humphrey Bogart, Spencer Tracy, and Katharine Hepburn. The venue is geographically unique as the only Broadway-style house between New York and Boston, and manages ongoing programming partnerships with national touring Broadway productions, concert and comedy promoters, and community organizations including Unite For Sight's annual conference.

Name

Shubert Theatre

Legal name

Shubert Theatre New Haven

Website

https://shubert.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1914

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Shubert Theatre is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit performing arts venue in New Haven, Connecticut, operating a 1,664-seat historic Broadway-style theatre — known as 'The Birthplace of the Nation's Greatest Hits' — under ownership of the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts, presenting Broadway tours, concerts, comedy, and educational programming for the regional community.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Performing Arts Venue

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Other Performing Arts Companies (711190), Performing Arts Companies (7111)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

Theater, Musicals & Performing Arts (THAJAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Event Operations & Venue Services (Box Office, FOH/BOH, Concessions) (MPAIAFAL), VIP Hospitality & Client Entertainment (Boxes, Suites, Hosted Experiences) (MPAGAHAG), Live Music Venues & Concert Bars (THAFAEAD)

Keywords

• Performing arts venue
• Live entertainment programming
• Broadway theatre series
• Venue rental services
• Arts education outreach

Headquarters

HQ city

New Haven

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, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from individual tickets for performances, concerts, comedy shows, and other events. The theatre offers various seating options across 1,664 seats on 3 levels.
2. Subscription Series: Recurring revenue from Broadway Series and Rhythm & Grooves Series subscriptions, providing subscribers with access to multiple shows at discounted rates.
3. Venue Rentals: Revenue from renting theatre spaces (Shubert Theatre, Elm City's Cabaret, KeyBank Suite, Co-Op High School) for performances, corporate events, meetings, holiday celebrations, private parties, fundraisers, and weddings.
4. Donations and Fundraising: The Shubert is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that relies on charitable donations, corporate sponsorships, and fundraising events including the annual Shubert Gala.
5. Advertising: Revenue from advertising opportunities in the Shubert Theatre program.
6. Gift Certificates: Sales of gift certificates for theatre tickets and events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Shubert Theatre operates a 1,664-seat historic Broadway-style theatre and associated performance spaces (Elm City's Cabaret, KeyBank Suite, the Co-Op High School Mainstage, and dance studios 206 and 209) presenting national Broadway tours, concerts, comedy, dance, and recitals, and renting its spaces for corporate events and private functions. The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supplements ticket and rental revenue with charitable donations, corporate sponsorships, gift certificate sales, and program advertising, and runs Broadway Series and Rhythm & Grooves subscription programs along with Classroom Connections and Community Connections education and outreach initiatives.

Product overview

The Shubert Theatre is a performing arts venue that operates as a single unified product (a historic not-for-profit theatre) with multiple associated spaces and services. The core offering is the 1,664-seat main stage theatre used for Broadway tours, concerts, and dance performances. Supporting offerings include Elm City's Cabaret (an intimate performance space), the KeyBank Suite (for private events), and rental of Co-Op High School spaces including the 325-seat Mainstage Theatre and two dance studios. The theatre also provides education/outreach programs and sells subscription series for Broadway productions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Elm City's Cabaret at the Shubert Theatre: A newly renovated, state of the art performance space in the former Mezzanine lobby, offering an intimate setting for curated cocktails, live music, comedy and more.
• KeyBank Suite
• Clark Performing Arts Center

Products and services

• Shubert Theatre Main Stage A 1,664-seat Broadway-style historic theatre with three seating levels, state-of-the-art sound and lighting equipment, loading dock, fly gallery, dressing rooms, and built-in projection system, used to host national Broadway tours, concerts, dance performances, and recitals.
• Elm City's Cabaret at the Shubert Theatre An intimate performance space created from the renovated former Mezzanine lobby offering curated cocktails, live music, comedy, trivia nights, and other curated events in an intimate setting.
• KeyBank Suite An intimate private event space accommodating up to 50 guests for formal dining or 75 guests for cocktails, with a full private bar and exclusive VIP entrance, suited to pre/post-show receptions, business meetings, bridal showers, and cocktail parties.
• Mainstage Theatre at Co-Op High School A 325-seat theatre managed by Shubert Theatre at the adjacent Cooperative Arts & Humanities High School, suited for stage performances, concerts, lectures, public meetings, and award ceremonies.
• Dance Studios 206 and 209 Dance Studio 206 (29' x 26') and Dance Studio 209 (31' x 34'), each equipped with mirrors, bars, and built-in sound systems, available for dance rehearsals and performances.
• Venue Rental Services Full-service venue rental offerings covering performances, concerts, recitals, corporate events, meetings, holiday celebrations, private parties, fundraisers, and pre/post-show receptions, supported by an events team that responds to rental inquiries within 48 hours.
• Education and Outreach Programs Mission-driven programs for youth and the community including Classroom Connections school visits, summer camps, internship and training programs, Community Connections free-ticket program for nonprofit clients, and volunteer engagement.
• Broadway and Rhythm & Grooves Series Subscriptions Multi-show subscription packages (2026-2027 Broadway Series plus Rhythm & Grooves Series) offering subscribers access to multiple shows at discounted rates versus single-event ticket pricing.
• Digital Programs Digital program offerings available to accompany events at the Shubert Theatre, accessible through the Shubert website.

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 December 2013In 2013, the City of New Haven transferred ownership and operation of the Shubert Theatre to CAPA, a not-for-profit organization. CAPA has successfully managed and expanded community programming while preserving the theatre's legacy. CAPA is owner/operator of downtown Columbus, Ohio's three historic theatres and manager of the Riffe Center Theatre Complex.
• Technolutions (Alexander Clark)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlexander Clark founded Technolutions in 2002. Their Slate platform is used by 950+ colleges and universities worldwide. The Slate Innovation Summit was launched at the Shubert in 2013. Alexander serves on the Shubert Theatre/CAPA CT Board of Directors. The Clarks (Alexander and Jennifer) are substantial supporters of the theatre.
• Unite For Sight (Jennifer Staple Clark)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded by Jennifer Staple Clark in 2000. The nonprofit holds annual conferences at Yale and the Shubert Theatre each Spring, attracting 2,000 national and international attendees. Jennifer is married to Alexander Clark, both are major supporters of the Shubert Theatre.
• Cooperative Arts & Humanities High School (Co-Op)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Co-Op High School is located next door to the Shubert Theatre. Shubert Theatre manages the school spaces which are available for rental for performances, business, and social functions. This partnership extends the venue's footprint to a 325-seat mainstage theatre.
• Local Business PartnersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with local restaurants, hotels, parking facilities, boutiques, and businesses to enhance visitor experience. The theatre's website lists Restaurant Partners and Hotels for visitor convenience. Corporate sponsors include Jordan's Furniture, M&T Bank, Key Bank, and ASML.
• Show Promoters and Event OrganizerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe theatre serves as a venue for show promoters presenting national tours of Broadway productions, popular concert and comedy artists, dance performances, and recitals. The theatre hosts pre-Broadway tryouts and world premieres for productions heading to major markets.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Providence Performing Arts Center: 3,100-seat historic theater in Providence, RI operating as a nonprofit Broadway touring house. Comparable as a New England regional nonprofit venue hosting pre-Broadway tryouts and national tours with subscription programming.
• Town Hall (NYC): Historic nonprofit 1,500-seat NYC venue presenting concerts, dance, comedy, and spoken word. Comparable as a historic nonprofit performing arts venue with community-focused programming and education programs.
• Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts: 2,800-seat performing arts center in Hartford, CT operated as a nonprofit presenting Broadway series, concerts, and educational programming. Highly comparable as a Connecticut-based historic nonprofit venue hosting national Broadway tours and subscription series.
• Boch Center / Wang Theatre: Historic 3,600-seat theater and affiliated Shubert Theatre in Boston, MA presenting Broadway tours and live entertainment. Comparable as a Northeastern nonprofit/arts venue hosting national touring Broadway productions.
• Palace Theatre (Waterbury, CT): Historic 1,800+ seat theater in Waterbury, CT operating as a nonprofit presenting Broadway tours, concerts, and community programming. Directly comparable as another Connecticut-based nonprofit regional Broadway-scale venue with similar revenue model and audience.

Broad incumbents

• Lincoln Center: Iconic NYC performing arts complex with multiple venues (David H. Koch Theater, Vivian Beaumont, etc.). Comparable as a nonprofit presenting theater operator at much larger scale and brand prestige.
• Ohio Theatre (Columbus): Owned and operated by CAPA — the Shubert's parent organization — as one of three historic Columbus venues. Directly comparable business model and management, but operating in a different (Ohio) market.
• Beacon Theatre: Historic 2,800-seat Manhattan theater hosting concerts, comedy, and live events. Comparable historic Broadway-scale venue, though for-profit/privately operated rather than nonprofit.
• Palace Theatre (Columbus): Another CAPA-owned historic venue in Columbus, OH offering Broadway, concerts, and events. Shares identical operational playbook and management with the Shubert, providing a useful benchmarking peer.

Regional players

• 92nd Street Y: NYC-based nonprofit cultural and community center with multiple performance spaces and extensive education/outreach programs. Comparable as a legacy nonprofit cultural institution, though serving a primarily NYC audience rather than Connecticut.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/shubert-theater

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Shubert Theatre