Different Stages

What Different Stages does

Different Stages is a nonprofit community theatre company based in Austin, Texas, founded in 1980 as Small Potatoes Theatrical Company and incorporated under its present name in 1984. The company produces live theatrical performances spanning neo-classic, realistic, and surrealistic styles, with a stated emphasis on performing both canonical works (Shakespeare, Moliere, Shaw, O'Neill) and lesser-known or contemporary pieces (Caryl Churchill, Charles Ludlam, Jane Martin), as well as world premieres of translations and original scripts by Austin artists. Over its 45-year history, Different Stages has staged more than 130 productions, performed at multiple partner venues across Austin (The Vortex, Santa Cruz Theatre, Trinity Street Theatre, Ground Floor Theatre) without owning a permanent theatre building, and earned recurring B. Iden Payne and Austin Critics' Table recognition.

The company is led by Producing Artistic Director Norman Blumensaadt, who has held the role since founding, supported by an Operational Board formed in 1993 (Blumensaadt, Paula Gilbert, Royce Gehrels, Michael Growblewski). Operationally, Different Stages relies on standard small-nonprofit infrastructure: a Wix-hosted website, Ticketweb for online ticket sales (with will-call and print-at-home options), and phone support via a single listed number. There is no proprietary technology platform; the company's digital footprint is limited to Facebook, YouTube, an email newsletter, and earned media coverage from Austin Chronicle, Broadway World, CTX Live Theatre, austin360, and Austin Entertainment Weekly.

Different Stages generates revenue from four streams: individual ticket sales under a $15-$39 pick-your-price model, annual season subscription passes, tiered charitable donations ranging from $20 to $5000+ with corresponding benefits (guest passes, season tickets, fundraiser access), and an annual fundraiser event. The company is a 501(c)-style nonprofit (Texas-incorporated), supported by the Bennett Raccah Charitable Fund, and is an affiliate of ATX Theatre. Customers are Austin-area theatre patrons and donors, with no enterprise or commercial client base.

Name

Different Stages

Legal name

Different Stages

Website

https://differentstagestheatre.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Different Stages is an Austin, Texas-based nonprofit theatre company producing live theatrical performances ranging from classical to contemporary works, serving local audiences and donors through ticket sales, season passes, and charitable contributions across multiple partner venues.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Theatre / Performing Arts

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Regional & Repertory Theatre Companies (MPAGABAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Theater, Musicals & Performing Arts (THAJAFAB)

Keywords

• Live theatre performances
• Nonprofit theatre company
• Theatrical productions
• Season subscriptions
• Community arts

Headquarters

HQ city

Austin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from individual show tickets sold online through Ticketweb, with prices ranging from $15-$39 (pick-your-price model).
2. Season Passes: Annual season subscription passes providing access to multiple productions throughout the year.
3. Donations: Tax-deductible charitable donations at multiple giving levels ($20-$5000+) with corresponding benefits including guest passes, season tickets, and event access. The company is a nonprofit organization.
4. Fundraising Events: Annual fundraiser events with free ticket benefits for high-level donors ($1000+).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Different Stages is a nonprofit theatre company that produces and stages live theatrical performances for Austin-area audiences, ranging from classical works (Shakespeare, Moliere, Shaw, O'Neill) to contemporary plays and world premieres. The company sells individual show tickets and season passes, and supplements revenue through tax-deductible donations and annual fundraising events. Performances are held at multiple partner venues across Austin, as the company does not own a permanent theatre building.

Product overview

Different Stages is a nonprofit theatre company offering live theatrical productions and performances. The company produces a seasonal program of plays ranging from classical works (Shakespeare, Moliere, Shaw, O'Neill) to contemporary pieces and world premieres. Their productions include mainstage plays like Stage Blood, Something Wicked This Way Comes, Marjorie Prime, and The League of Youth, with ticket-based admission and season subscription passes available. The company operates without a permanent theatre building, performing at various Austin venues including The Vortex, Santa Cruz Theatre, Trinity Street Theatre, and Ground Floor Theatre.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Stage Blood Live theatrical production of Charles Ludlam's 'Stage Blood' directed by Norman Blumensaadt, performed at The Vortex in Austin. Targeted at Austin theatre audiences interested in works by playwright Charles Ludlam.
• Something Wicked This Way Comes Stage adaptation of Ray Bradbury's 1962 dark fantasy novel, directed by Melissa McKnight. Targeted at Austin theatre audiences and fans of dark fantasy literature.
• Marjorie Prime Jordan Harrison's play exploring artificial intelligence and human identity, directed by Karen Jambon at Trinity Street Playhouse. Targeted at Austin theatre audiences interested in contemporary dramatic works with technology themes.
• Reading of a New American Play Staged reading of a new American play scheduled for Spring 2027. Targeted at Austin theatre audiences interested in new and developing American dramatic works.
• The League of Youth Henrik Ibsen's political comedy directed by Norman Blumensaadt. Targeted at Austin theatre audiences interested in classical works and Ibsen.
• 2026-2027 Season Pass Annual subscription pass providing access to multiple Different Stages productions throughout the 2026-2027 season, sold through Ticketweb. Targeted at repeat Austin theatre patrons seeking season-long access.
• Charitable Donation Program Tax-deductible donation program with tiered giving levels ($20 to $5,000+), offering benefits ranging from program recognition and 2-for-1 guest passes to complimentary season tickets and annual fundraiser access. Targeted at individuals and organizations supporting the Austin arts community.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ATX TheatrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProud affiliate of ATX Theatre, which unites Austin theatre makers and audiences to expand Austin's economic and cultural vitality, cultivate access to live theatre, and foster community.
• The VortexcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustin theatre venue at 2307 Manor Rd where Different Stages performs productions including Stage Blood.
• Trinity Street Theatre / Trinity Street PlayhousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustin theatre venue used for productions including Marjorie Prime (January 2027).
• Ground Floor TheatrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustin theatre venue at 979 Springdale Rd used for recent productions.
• Austin Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (AGLCC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting LGBTQ+ business community in Austin.
• Rude MechanicalsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustin theatre company, previously hosted Different Stages at The Off-Center venue.
• Salvage Vanguard TheatreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustin-based theatre company listed as a partner organization.
• Theatre Communications GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization for theatre; listed as a partner.
• City TheatreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustin theatre company at 3823 Airport Blvd, previously hosted Different Stages productions.
• Austin PlayhouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustin theatre company listed as a partner organization.
• Santa Cruz Center for CultureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural venue listed as a partner organization.
• Main.orgminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustin arts organization listed as a partner.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Others

• ATX Theatre: ATX Theatre is a collective of Austin theatre makers and audiences. Different Stages is a proud affiliate, making ATX Theatre a peer organization and umbrella ecosystem rather than a direct competitor.
• Theatre Communications Group: Theatre Communications Group is a national nonprofit service organization for the American theatre field. It is a partner organization of Different Stages and represents the broader institutional ecosystem in which the company operates.

Direct peers

• Austin Playhouse: Austin Playhouse is a long-running Austin theatre company producing a subscription season of plays and musicals. It is explicitly listed as a partner organization of Different Stages and serves the same patron base.
• Penfold Theatre Company: Penfold Theatre is a Central Texas regional theatre company producing a season of plays for Austin-area audiences. It is comparable in scale, mission, and operational model to Different Stages.
• Rude Mechanicals: Rude Mechanicals is an Austin theatre company known for ensemble-driven, experimental productions. Previously hosted Different Stages at The Off-Center venue and is an explicit partner organization.
• Hyde Park Theatre: Hyde Park Theatre is an Austin-based small professional theatre producing contemporary and original works. It operates in a similar venue-rental model to Different Stages and targets the same local arts audience.
• Ground Floor Theatre: Ground Floor Theatre is an Austin-based theatre at 979 Springdale Rd that hosts other companies including Different Stages. It operates as a peer nonprofit theatre serving overlapping Austin audiences.
• ZACH Theatre: ZACH Theatre is Austin's largest professional producing theatre, staging plays and musicals across multiple venues. It is the most comparable Austin-based theatre company to Different Stages in scope and customer base.
• The Vortex: The Vortex is an Austin theatre venue and producing company at 2307 Manor Rd. Different Stages performs productions there, including Stage Blood, making it both a venue partner and a comparable peer in the Austin theatre ecosystem.
• Salvage Vanguard Theatre: Salvage Vanguard Theatre is an Austin-based experimental theatre company producing original and devised work. It is listed as a partner organization of Different Stages and shares the same local nonprofit theatre ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC_fECWP3fpedd9vsmzeM7Ng
• Facebookfacebook.com/DifferentStages
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/different-stages

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Different Stages