The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey

What The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey does

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey is a 501(c)(3) non-profit performing arts organization founded in 1963 (originally as the New Jersey Shakespeare Festival in Cape May, rebranded in 2003), now in its 64th season and recognized as the longest-running Shakespeare theatre on the U.S. east coast. It produces professional Shakespeare and classic masterwork productions at the 308-seat, ADA-compliant F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre on Drew University's campus in Madison, NJ, and operates a summer Outdoor Stage at Saint Elizabeth University's Greek amphitheatre in Convent Station, alongside the Thomas H. Kean Theatre Factory production and education facility in Florham Park.

The portfolio spans Main Stage and Outdoor Stage productions, the Shakespeare LIVE! touring program (the mid-Atlantic's largest Shakespeare touring company for students, reaching 700,000+ students since 1997), Student Matinees, in-school residencies and workshops, the Summer Shakespeare Academy, the Summer Professional Training Program (SPTP), the Revolutionary Voices reading series, Classics for Kids!, backstage tours, and free Audience Guides. Accessibility features include Globetitles electronic captioning, audio description, and barrier-free physical design in partnership with Kessler Foundation. Custom technology integrations are limited to standard ticketing, the CourseStorm registration platform, and the iGive donation portal.

Revenue is generated across multiple streams: single-ticket and subscription sales at the box office and ticketing.shakespearenj.org, individual donations (including planned giving via The Prospero Society, monthly giving, matching gifts, and stock gifts), corporate sponsorships ($1,000-$100,000 tiers), playbill advertising, an annual Gala, foundation grants (notably a $1M Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation Strategic Partnership Grant in 2002), and government funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and New Jersey State Council on the Arts. Operational leadership sits with Artistic Director Brian B. Crowe (31st season), with Bonnie J. Monte serving as Artistic Director Emerita; governance is provided by a Board of Trustees chaired by Haywood Huntley, Jr. with Honorary Chairman Thomas H. Kean. No parent company or external ownership exists.

Name

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey

Legal name

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey

Website

https://shakespearenj.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1963

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1963 that produces professional Shakespeare and classic masterwork productions and educational programming, serving approximately 75,000 audience members annually across New Jersey and the mid-Atlantic region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Theatre

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (71111)

akta.pro primary industry

Regional & Repertory Theatre Companies (MPAGABAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Classical & Contemporary Theatre (Plays/Drama) (MPAGABAH), Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB), Theater & Drama Education (Acting, Improvisation, Musical Theater) (EDAMAAAG)

Keywords

• Professional theatre productions
• Performing arts education
• Classical shakespeare performances
• Live theatrical entertainment
• Arts education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Madison

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Single tickets, subscriptions, and memberships for Main Stage productions, Outdoor Stage performances, and special events. Revenue from direct box office sales (online, phone, in-person) and third-party ticketing platforms.
2. Individual Donations: Financial donations from individuals through various vehicles: online donations, monthly giving, gifts of stock, planned giving (The Prospero Society), matching gifts, raffle tickets, and in-kind donations.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Financial commitments ranging from $1,000 to $100,000 for sponsoring opening nights, characters, productions, and seasons. Includes custom marketing benefits and exclusive behind-the-scenes access at higher levels.
4. Advertising Revenue: Revenue from advertising in Main Stage playbills, with pricing based on ad size and production. Season packages available with 10% discount.
5. Annual Gala and Fundraising Events: Annual fundraising events including the Annual Gala, described as one of the classiest and most unusual fundraising gatherings in New Jersey's annual philanthropic calendar.
6. Foundation and Government Grants: Funding from foundations including Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation ($1 million Strategic Partnership Grant in 2002), and government agencies including National Endowment for the Arts and New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey produces and presents live professional theatrical productions of Shakespeare and other classical masterworks at its 308-seat F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre in Madison, NJ, and an Outdoor Stage at Saint Elizabeth University. The organization also delivers an extensive education portfolio including the Shakespeare LIVE! touring company, in-school residencies and workshops, student matinees, a Summer Shakespeare Academy, and a Summer Professional Training Program for emerging artists.

Product overview

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey is a non-profit performing arts organization offering a unified portfolio of theatrical products and educational services. Its core offerings center on Main Stage productions at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre and the Summer Outdoor Stage, featuring Shakespeare plays and classic masterworks. The theatre provides a comprehensive suite of education programs including Shakespeare LIVE! (touring productions), In-School Programs with residencies and workshops, Student Matinees, the Summer Shakespeare Academy, and the Summer Professional Training Program (SPTP) with acting apprenticeships. Additional offerings include the Revolutionary Voices reading series, Classics for Kids! programming, Backstage Tours, and Audience Guides. The organization operates two primary venues: the 308-seat F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre in Madison and the Thomas H. Kean Theatre Factory in Florham Park for production and education work.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Main Stage Productions Professional theatrical productions of Shakespeare and other classical masterworks presented at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, serving adult theatre-goers, families, and arts patrons in the New Jersey and mid-Atlantic region.
• Shakespeare LIVE! Touring Program Flagship touring education program that brings professional Shakespeare and classic productions directly to schools, serving K-12 students and educators throughout the mid-Atlantic region.
• Student Matinees Daytime educational performances scheduled specifically for school groups, offering reduced ticket pricing to make classic theatre accessible to K-12 and university students.
• In-School Programs On-site educational programming delivered at schools, including Shakespeare LIVE! touring productions, Page to Players residencies, and workshops tailored to classroom curricula.
• Summer Shakespeare Academy Intensive summer program for young people to learn Shakespeare through performance, workshops, and hands-on theatre experience.
• Summer Professional Training Program (SPTP) Professional training program offering acting apprenticeships and internships for emerging theatre artists seeking careers in classical theatre, in partnership with Drew University Theatre Department.
• Revolutionary Voices Reading Series Staged reading series celebrating historical and contemporary voices through dramatic readings of significant plays that illuminate important themes and historical moments, serving adult theatre-goers.
• Classics for Kids! Family-friendly theatrical programming designed to introduce young audiences to classic literature and the performing arts through engaging productions.
• Backstage Tours Exclusive behind-the-scenes tours of the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre at $12-$20 per person, providing access from wings to sound booth to appreciate production craftsmanship.
• Audience Guides Comprehensive study guides provided free for each Main Stage and Shakespeare LIVE! production, containing synopses, background information, pre- and post-show activities, and bibliographies.
• Shakespeare Out Loud Read-aloud session classes meeting Tuesday evenings at the Thomas H. Kean Theatre Factory, offering patrons guided group readings of Shakespeare plays at $80 per program.
• Season Subscriptions and Memberships Subscription packages offering savings over single ticket purchases and membership programs with priority access and benefits for committed patrons of Main Stage productions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reached over 700,000 students since 1997 through Shakespeare LIVE! program
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 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

Integration3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Saint Elizabeth UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2002Partnership established in 2002 for Outdoor Stage venue at Greek Theatre amphitheatre on campus in Convent Station. Summer productions have played to thousands of family theatre-goers.
• Drew UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1972Only independent arts organization in residence on Drew University campus in Madison, NJ. Partnership began in 1972 and has endured for over 50 years. Drew theatre students attend performances free of charge.
• New Jersey Theatre AlliancemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMembership in statewide theatre alliance providing collaborative opportunities, advocacy, and support services for New Jersey theatres.
• THIRTEEN (PBS)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerDiscount program partner offering special discounts for members of THIRTEEN public broadcasting.
• Art Pride New JerseyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for Families First Discovery Pass Program providing discounts for families to access arts programming.
• New Jersey SymphonymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative presentation of Romeo and Juliet at NJPAC, combining orchestral music with theatrical performance.
• Drew University Theatre DepartmentminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternship partnership allowing Drew theatre students to gain professional experience with the company.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hartford Stage: Tony Award-winning regional theatre producing classics, premieres, and education programs in the Northeast. Strong comparable in repertory/classical programming model, education outreach, and Northeast audience base.
• American Players Theatre (Spring Green, WI): Outdoor classical theatre company producing Shakespeare and classics in repertory. Comparable in classical-only programming focus, outdoor venue operations, and repertory scheduling model.
• Long Wharf Theatre: Connecticut-based LORT professional theatre producing classics and contemporary work plus education programs. Comparable in regional professional theatre operations and Northeast education outreach model.
• Utah Shakespeare Festival: Long-running Tony Award-winning Shakespeare repertory festival producing Shakespeare and classic masterworks across multiple venues plus outreach. Same business model and education emphasis as The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey.
• Alabama Shakespeare Festival: Statewide professional Shakespeare repertory theatre producing a main season plus educational touring programs. Highly comparable in operating model, funding mix, and touring-education scale.
• Oregon Shakespeare Festival: Largest professional Shakespeare-only repertory company in the US, producing a multi-play season across multiple venues. Closest comparable organization in mission, scale, and educational programming scope to The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey.
• Shakespeare Theatre Company (Washington, DC): DC-based professional Shakespeare and classic theatre company producing a Main Stage season plus education programming. Highly comparable in mission and programming mix, with substantially larger scale and endowment.

Regional players

• McCarter Theatre Center: Princeton, NJ-based professional regional theatre presenting a main stage season plus arts education programs. Comparable as a NJ-resident professional theatre with university affiliation and education programming.
• Philadelphia Theater Company: Greater Philadelphia regional theatre producing a main stage season plus community engagement. Comparable in mid-Atlantic regional professional theatre operations and donor-driven revenue model.
• Two River Theater: New Jersey-based professional regional theatre producing a mix of plays, musicals, and education programs. Closest in-state peer with overlapping education programming and NJ patron base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/shakespearenj
• Facebookfacebook.com/ShakespeareNJ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-shakespeare-theatre-of-new-jersey

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey