Forestburgh Playhouse
The Forestburgh Playhouse is a 501(c)(3) non-profit professional summer stock theater in Sullivan County, NY, founded in 1947, presenting Broadway-caliber musicals and plays alongside the Forestburgh Tavern, the Academy arts education program, and the In The Works-In The Woods new-works festival for approximately 35,000 patrons annually.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1947
- HeadquartersForestburgh, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Forestburgh Playhouse does
The Forestburgh Playhouse is a 501(c)(3) non-profit professional summer stock theater founded in 1947 in Forestburgh, Sullivan County, New York, operating under the legal entity Theatrical Arts at Forestburgh, Inc. (Federal ID #46-4432375). It presents Broadway-caliber musicals and plays in a converted historic barn with an intimate ~300-seat mainstage, supplemented by three sub-brands: the Forestburgh Tavern (restaurant/bar and cabaret venue), the Forestburgh Playhouse Academy (year-round arts education), and the In The Works-In The Woods Festival (annual new-works development). The 2026 season — its 80th Anniversary — features 74 performances across 7 mainstage productions including Dear Evan Hansen, Hairspray, Come From Away, and Million Dollar Quartet.
The company's revenue model is diversified across six streams: ticket sales (individual, season subscriptions, flex 6-packs, group sales, gift certificates), food and beverage at the Forestburgh Tavern, tiered sponsorships (Star at $350 through 80th Anniversary Marquee at $20,000+), tax-deductible donations, Academy education program fees, and venue rental for private events. Distribution runs through an integrated Center Stage Ticketing platform, telephone and in-person box office, and tourism-board partnerships with the Sullivan Catskills Visitors Association. Customer segments span theater enthusiasts, families with children (with Theatre for Young Audiences programming), students/educators, the LGBTQ+ community (via Pride 365 partnerships with Catskills Pride and Triversity Center), and dining/entertainment seekers.
Leadership is anchored by Franklin Trapp as Producing Artistic Director (since 2014, succeeding Norman Duttweiler) alongside Creative Development Director Matt Lenz (Broadway credits), Associate Producer/Casting John Bubb, Company Manager Kimi Fields, and Academy Directors Kate Wilson and Roque Berlanga. The Board of Directors includes Fontaine Lee, Daniel Shim, Armando Ramirez, Spencer Stockdale, and Dr. Colin Brinkmann. The Playhouse draws approximately 35,000 patrons annually and operates as both a cultural landmark (dubbed "The Miracle of the Forest") and an economic driver for Sullivan County tourism, relying on Equity actors sourced via NYC auditions, Actors' Equity Association partnerships, and a mix of non-equity and local performers.
Forestburgh Playhouse firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Forestburgh Playhouse
- Legal name
- Theatrical Arts at Forestburgh, Inc.
- Website
- https://fbplayhouse.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1947
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- The Forestburgh Playhouse is a 501(c)(3) non-profit professional summer stock theater in Sullivan County, NY, founded in 1947, presenting Broadway-caliber musicals and plays alongside the Forestburgh Tavern, the Academy arts education program, and the In The Works-In The Woods new-works festival for approximately 35,000 patrons annually.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Forestburgh Playhouse industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Live Theater & Performing Arts
- NAICS
- Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (71111), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Performing Arts Companies (7111)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Regional & Repertory Theatre Companies (MPAGABAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Broadway & Commercial Theatre Productions (MPAGABAA), Children’s & Youth Theatre (MPAGABAE), Community Theatre & Storytelling Festivals (MPAGAEAI), Classical & Contemporary Theatre (Plays/Drama) (MPAGABAH), Theater, Musicals & Performing Arts (THAJAFAB)
Keywords
Where Forestburgh Playhouse is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Forestburgh
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Forestburgh Playhouse business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
Revenue model
- Ticket Sales: Primary revenue from sale of tickets to mainstage productions, cabaret performances, children's theatre, and festival events. Offers individual tickets, season subscriptions, flex ticket packs (6-pack), group sales, and gift certificates.
- Food and Beverage: Forestburgh Tavern operates as restaurant/bar entertainment venue hosting cabaret, live music, comedy, theatrical performances, and special events with full food and cocktail service.
- Sponsorships: Multiple sponsorship tiers including 80th Anniversary Marquee Sponsor ($20,000+), Executive Producer Level ($15,000), Producer Level ($7,500), Director Level ($3,000), and Star Sponsorships ($350 per performance).
- Donations: Theatrical Arts at Forestburgh, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation accepting tax-deductible donations. Federal ID #46-4432375.
- Education Programs: Year-round arts education programming through Forestburgh Playhouse Academy including Musical Theatre Ensemble Experience and Musical Theatre Intensive.
- Venue Rental: The Tavern and facilities available for event hosting including weddings, group functions, and private events.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Flex Ticket Six Pack |
| Subscription | Annual | Season Subscription |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Pre-Show Cabarets |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Star Sponsorship |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Group Ticket Sales |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Educator Discounts |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Military/Veteran Discount |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Gift Certificates |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels7 records
Forestburgh Playhouse product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Forestburgh Playhouse is a professional summer stock theater operating as a 501(c)(3) non-profit in the Sullivan Catskills, NY, presenting Broadway-caliber musicals, plays, cabaret performances, and Theatre for Young Audiences productions in a converted historic barn venue. The organization also operates Forestburgh Tavern (a restaurant/bar entertainment venue), Forestburgh Playhouse Academy (year-round arts education programming), and the annual In The Works ~ In The Woods Festival celebrating emerging artists and new theatrical works.
Product overview
The Forestburgh Playhouse is a professional summer stock theatre offering a multi-venue entertainment experience centered around its converted-barn mainstage. The core offerings include Main Stage Performances featuring Broadway-caliber musicals and plays, The Tavern venue hosting cabaret and dining experiences, Theatre for Young Audiences productions, the annual In The Works ~ In The Woods Festival for emerging artists, and The Academy providing arts education programs. Supplementary offerings include season subscriptions, flex ticket packages, gift certificates, group sales, and various sponsorship tiers. The playhouse operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization presenting its 80th anniversary season in 2026.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Forestburgh Tavern: Restaurant/Bar and Entertainment Venue hosting cabaret, live music, comedy, theatrical performances, special events, and group functions
- Forestburgh Playhouse Academy
- In The Works ~ In The Woods Festival
Products and services
- Main Stage Performances Professional live entertainment featuring Broadway-caliber musicals, plays, and theatrical productions performed at the main playhouse venue for theater enthusiasts, families, tourists, and the regional Catskills community.
- Forestburgh Tavern On-site restaurant, bar, and entertainment venue hosting cabaret performances, live music, comedy, theatrical performances, dinner shows, and special events with full food and cocktail service for dining and entertainment seekers.
- Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) Family-friendly productions and children's theatre programming designed for young audiences and school groups, performed on Thursdays and Saturdays at 11:00am as part of the summer season.
- In The Works ~ In The Woods Festival Annual theatre festival celebrating emerging artists and new theatrical works, featuring main presentations, talkbacks, creative conversations, and special event readings for theater artists, writers, and audiences interested in new works.
- Forestburgh Playhouse Academy Year-round arts education programming for students with a passion for performing arts, including Musical Theatre Ensemble Experience and Musical Theatre Intensive programs for students and educators.
Quantifiable outcome
- Nearly 35,000 patrons attend annually
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Forestburgh Playhouse
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
Forestburgh Playhouse technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Forestburgh Playhouse partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Catskills PridecoreThe Forestburgh Playhouse is a proud partner with Catskills Pride, offering LGBTQ+ programming and celebrating Pride 365 days a year with special spring, summer, and fall events.
- Triversity CentercorePartnership with Triversity Center to support LGBTQ+ community resources and provide information about community offerings and events.
- Sullivan Catskills Visitors Association (SCVA)coreCross-promotional partnership with regional tourism organization featuring Forestburgh Playhouse in Sullivan Catskills marketing materials, lodging partnerships, and visitor guides.
- Bethel Woods Center For The ArtsminorNearby performing arts venue listed as area attraction and partner in promoting Catskills arts and culture scene.
- Hurleyville Performing Arts CentreminorRegional arts partner in the Hurleyville area, listed as nearby attraction for visitors to the Catskills region.
- Catskill BreweryminorLocal brewery featured at Forestburgh Tavern, proudly serving local libations as part of the Tavern's beverage program.
- Do Good SpiritsminorLocal spirits brand featured at Forestburgh Tavern, supporting local producers as part of the Tavern's beverage offerings.
- Eagle InstituteminorAmerican Bald Eagle viewing organization located one mile from the Playhouse, promoted as nearby attraction for nature enthusiasts.
- Actors' Equity AssociationcoreProfessional actors' union providing Equity performers for mainstage productions. 2026 auditions include Equity Principal Auditions and Equity Chorus Call in NYC.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Forestburgh Playhouse competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Paper Mill Playhouse: Established New Jersey regional theater known for Broadway-bound musicals and large-scale productions; overlaps in repertoire and Equity casting model but operates at significantly larger scale and longer season.
- Walnut Street Theatre: Larger Philadelphia-based regional theater operating multiple stages year-round with an Equity company; comparable as a regional nonprofit producing commercial Broadway titles but at substantially greater scale.
Direct peers
- Cape Playhouse: Long-running Cape Cod summer stock theater producing professional Equity musicals and plays in a small historic venue; structurally similar as a summer-season regional Equity theater.
- Barrington Stage Company: Berkshire-based regional Equity theater producing musicals, plays, and a new-works program; comparable in producing model, development of new work, and professional resident company.
- Goodspeed Musicals: Tony-honored Connecticut regional theater specializing in development of new and classic musicals with Equity casts; closely comparable on mission, scale, and musical-theater focus.
- Allenberry Playhouse: Pennsylvania-based regional summer theater producing Broadway musicals and plays in a resort setting with an Equity resident company; shares the small-cast, repertory summer-stock model.
- Mac-Haydn Theatre: Summer stock musical theater also located in the Catskills region of upstate New York, offering a Broadway musical repertory season in a converted venue; structurally the most direct peer given shared geography, format, and audience.
- New London Barn Playhouse: Historic New England summer stock theater founded in 1933 that produces a Broadway musical and play season with a resident company; a direct comparable in scale, format, and Equity casting model.
- Bucks County Playhouse: Historic regional playhouse producing a Broadway musical and play season with professional Equity casts; comparable in production scale, programming mix, and nonprofit/community-supported operation.
- Westport Country Playhouse: Connecticut regional playhouse producing a Broadway-style season with professional casts and year-round programming; comparable in nonprofit structure and programming breadth.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Forestburgh Playhouse social profiles
Digital presenceForestburgh Playhouse compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Forestburgh Playhouse financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Forestburgh Playhouse leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Forestburgh Playhouse funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Forestburgh Playhouse 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 Forestburgh Playhouse
What does Forestburgh Playhouse do?
Forestburgh Playhouse is a professional summer stock theater operating as a 501(c)(3) non-profit in the Sullivan Catskills, NY, presenting Broadway-caliber musicals, plays, cabaret performances, and Theatre for Young Audiences productions in a converted historic barn venue. The organization also operates Forestburgh Tavern (a restaurant/bar entertainment venue), Forestburgh Playhouse Academy (year-round arts education programming), and the annual In The Works ~ In The Woods Festival celebrating emerging artists and new theatrical works.
Is Forestburgh Playhouse a public or private company?
Forestburgh Playhouse is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Forestburgh Playhouse founded?
Forestburgh Playhouse was founded in 1947. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Forestburgh Playhouse based?
Forestburgh Playhouse is headquartered in Forestburgh, United States, in the North America region.
How does Forestburgh Playhouse make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Ticket Sales are the primary driver. The others are food and Beverage, sponsorships, donations, education Programs and venue Rental.
Who are Forestburgh Playhouse's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Paper Mill Playhouse and Walnut Street Theatre. Direct peers are Cape Playhouse, Barrington Stage Company, Goodspeed Musicals, Allenberry Playhouse, Mac-Haydn Theatre, New London Barn Playhouse, Bucks County Playhouse and Westport Country Playhouse.
Does Forestburgh Playhouse have an API?
No public API is recorded for Forestburgh Playhouse.
What industry is Forestburgh Playhouse in?
Forestburgh Playhouse's product category is Live Theater & Performing Arts. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGABAB, Regional & Repertory Theatre Companies, with a secondary code of MPAGABAA, Broadway & Commercial Theatre Productions. Its NAICS code is 71111.