Campus Theatre

What Campus Theatre does

Campus Theatre is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit historic movie theater operating since January 17, 1941, at 413 Market Street in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. The company presents classic, independent, and art house films on a single 310-340 seat auditorium housed in an Art Deco building designed by architect David Supowitz — one of only five remaining open theaters from his portfolio of 31. Programming includes themed series such as Monday Marquee Movies, the Free Family Film Series, the Director Series, and Science on Screen (partnered with the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation), supplemented by theater and marquee rentals for private events. The operation is underpinned by the Campus Theatre, Ltd. nonprofit entity, a 13-member board, a full-time staff of approximately five led by an Executive Director, and a deepened financial partnership with Bucknell University that has secured stewardship of the landmark since 2011.

The theater monetizes through a diversified set of streams: unit-priced admissions ($9 adult / $8 kids, seniors, students, veterans / $6 members), concession sales with free refills (popcorn and drinks $3-$7), tiered individual memberships ($60-$2,500/year) and business memberships ($100-$2,000/year), facility and marquee rentals, film and series sponsorships, preshow advertising ($175-$1,200), gift certificates, and limited-edition art print collaborations. An adjacent product line — Campus Studio, an extended-stay lodging unit above the theater — generates additional revenue at $150-$800/night and is distributed via Airbnb and VRBO, with peak pricing tied to the Bucknell Graduation and Alumni weekend calendar. Distribution spans the website (campustheatre.org), online ticketing through Agileticketing, direct box office sales, social channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram), an email newsletter via Constant Contact, weekly print advertising in the Daily Item, and outreach through community partners.

Go-to-market is event-driven and community-anchored rather than digitally native. The proprietary "moat" is structural and physical — a landmark building, an 85-year operating history, and an institutional sponsor network (WellSpan, Geisinger, Fulton Bank, Milton Hershey School, Degenstein Foundation) each underwriting a distinct programming vertical. Open captioning, wheelchair accessibility, listening devices, and Science on Screen programming reflect a deliberate cultural and accessibility positioning that complements, rather than competes with, mainstream multiplex economics.

Name

Campus Theatre

Legal name

The Campus Theatre, LLC

Website

https://campustheatre.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1941

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Campus Theatre is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit historic single-screen Art Deco movie theater in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, founded in 1941, presenting classic, independent, and themed film programming and serving the local community and Bucknell University students.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent Movie Theater / Film Exhibition Services

NAICS

Motion Picture Theaters (except Drive-Ins) (512131), Motion Picture and Video Exhibition (51213)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830)

akta.pro primary industry

Screening Rooms & Cinematheques (Nonprofit/Institutional) (MPADAKAF)

Keywords

• Movie theatre screenings
• Art house film programming
• Historic art deco cinema
• Film membership programs
• Community nonprofit theatre

Headquarters

HQ city

Lewisburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Standard admission $9 for adults, $8 for kids/seniors/students/veterans, $6 for members. Revenue from showing diverse film programming including new releases (approximately 6 weeks after initial release), art house, classic, and family films.
2. Concession Sales: Popcorn, drinks, hot drinks, and candy sold at the concession stand. Prices range from $3-$7 with free refills on large sizes.
3. Membership Program: Individual memberships from $60/year (Take One) to $2,500/year (Movie Mogul). Business memberships from $100 (Colleague) to $2,000 (Benefactor). Monthly payment plans available.
4. Facility Rentals: Theater rentals for private events, weddings, corporate gatherings. Marquee rental at $50 for members, $30 additional lines. Outdoor screening equipment rental.
5. Sponsorships: Film and series sponsorships with benefits including onscreen pre-show announcements, marquee messages, marketing materials, lobby presence, and special thank-yous before screenings.
6. Advertising: Preshow advertising displayed before every film. Monthly rates from $175 to $1,200 annually. Average reach of over 38,000 local viewers per year.
7. Campus Studio Extended Stay: Extended stay retreat above the theater offering lodging. Rates from $180-200/night standard, $800 peak events. Weekly stays from $1,260. Extended stays at $150/day.
8. Donations and Grants: 501(c)(3) nonprofit relying on community support, grants, and donations for operations and historic preservation.
9. Shop and Gift Products: Gift certificates, limited edition giclée prints from artist collaborations (e.g., Sandy O'Connor's 'It's A Wonderful Life' at $500 each).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Campus Theatre operates a 1941 single-screen Art Deco movie theater in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, screening classic, independent, and art house films on a calendar-window basis (approximately six weeks after initial release). Programming includes recurring series such as Monday Marquee Movies, the Free Family Film Series, themed Director Series, and the Science on Screen series with the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. The organization generates ancillary revenue through concessions, memberships, theatre and marquee rentals, sponsorships, preshow advertising, and a separate extended-stay lodging property (Campus Studio) listed on Airbnb and VRBO.

Product overview

Campus Theatre operates as a single-screen historic movie theatre combined with hospitality offerings. The core product is the Campus Theatre itself—a 1941 Art Deco single-screen movie palace in Lewisburg, PA—presenting classic, independent, and art house films. Programming includes special film series such as Monday Marquee Movies (free weekly screenings sponsored by WellSpan Health), the Free Family Film Series (sponsored by the Degenstein Foundation and Bucknell), Director Series highlighting specific filmmakers, and Science on Screen (partnered with the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation). Adjacent to the theatre, the Campus Studio offers extended-stay lodging accommodations listed on Airbnb and VRBO. Additional revenue streams include membership programs (individual and business tiers), theatre and marquee rentals, gift certificates, film sponsorship, preshow advertising sales, accessibility-focused Open Caption screenings (sponsored by Geisinger), BYOB nights, and limited edition art prints. The theatre utilizes Agile Ticketing for online sales and Constant Contact for email newsletters.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Campus Theatre Studio: An extended stay retreat located above the historic Campus Theatre in Lewisburg, PA, offering accommodations with views of the classic marquee and historic storefronts.

Products and services

• Movie Screenings Regular programming of classic, independent, and art house film screenings at the historic 310-seat single-screen Art Deco theater in Lewisburg, PA, available to the general public, families, and Bucknell University students.
• Monday Marquee Movies Weekly free film series sponsored by WellSpan Health, featuring popular movies with free admission for the local community.
• Free Family Film Series Free family-friendly movie screenings on weekend mornings and afternoons, co-sponsored by the 1994 Charles B. Degenstein Foundation and the Bucknell Community Engagement Fund, serving local families.
• Director Series - Billy Wilder Themed film series showcasing the works of director Billy Wilder, with free admission screenings sponsored by Fulton Bank.
• Science on Screen Film and discussion series pairing classic and contemporary films with expert commentary from scientists, authors, and industry professionals, presented in partnership with the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
• Campus Studio Extended Stay Lodging Extended-stay lodging located above the historic Campus Theatre in Lewisburg, PA, offering one bedroom with king bed, queen bed, fold-out couch, and full kitchen for up to six guests; distributed through Airbnb and VRBO.
• Theatre Rentals Private event rentals of the historic Campus Theatre for weddings, corporate gatherings, parties, and special occasions, with capacity up to 340 guests.
• Marquee Rental Rental of the outdoor 1941 Art Deco marquee sign for custom messages and announcements at $50 per line for members and $30 per line for non-members.
• Membership Programs (Individual and Business Tiers) Annual membership program with individual tiers from $60 (Take One) to $2,500 (Movie Mogul) and business tiers from $100 (Colleague) to $2,000 (Benefactor), providing complimentary tickets, free admission, concessions, seat reservations, and theatre rental discounts.
• Film Sponsorship Program Sponsorship opportunities for individual films or entire themed series with recognition benefits including on-screen pre-show announcements, marquee messages, marketing inclusion, and lobby presence.
• Preshow Advertising 30-minute pre-show advertising feature shown before every film, presenting 7-second ads three times at $175/month with three-, six-, and twelve-month packages reaching over 38,000 local viewers annually.
• Gift Certificates Gift certificates and gift cards available for purchase in-person at the box office or online, redeemable for theatre admissions, concessions, and memberships.
• Limited Edition Giclée Art Prints Limited edition fine art giclée prints of original watercolor artwork inspired by classic films, sold in collaboration with artists such as Sandy O'Connor to raise funds for the nonprofit.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 38,000 local viewers reached annually through preshow advertising
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration11 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bucknell UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Strategic partnership for financial leadership and stewardship of the historic theater. Bucknell University takes financial leadership role for preservation while Campus Theatre LTD continues management through its board with vision, programming, and staffing. Partnership secured future of landmark in January 2011. BU course screenings are free and open to public.
• Fulton BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsors Director Series - Billy Wilder film series. Includes free admission screenings and marquee recognition.
• WellSpan HealthminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsors Monday Marquee Movies series with free admission screenings throughout the year.
• Geisinger Health SystemminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsors open captioning for Saturday 5:00 PM screenings, making films accessible to deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons through digital text on screen.
• Milton Hershey SchoolminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsors free screening of The Goonies for community benefit.
• 1994 Charles B. Degenstein FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-sponsors Free Family Film Series with Bucknell Community Engagement Fund, enabling free admission family screenings.
• Bucknell Community Engagement FundminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-sponsors Free Family Film Series with Degenstein Foundation for free family entertainment programming.
• Driesbach ChurchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsors free admission screening of David (August 16) as community outreach.
• Alfred P. Sloan FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerScience on Screen program presented in partnership with Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Series pairs classic and contemporary films with expert commentary from scientists, authors, and industry experts.
• WVIAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as community sponsor supporting Campus Theatre operations and programming.
• Susquehanna Valley United WayminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity sponsor supporting local nonprofit organizations including Campus Theatre.
• Seven Mountains MechanicalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity sponsor listed among theatre supporters.
• SBC (SelinsgroveBreweries)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity sponsor listed among theatre supporters.
• Blaise Alexander Auto dealersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity sponsor supporting Campus Theatre.
• Daily Item (newspaper)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerWeekly newspaper advertising partner, promotes theatre programming in local community.
• Farm Credit Farm CreditminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity sponsor supporting Campus Theatre.
• SRVVB (Susquehanna Regional Visitor Bureau)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional tourism partner supporting local attractions including Campus Theatre.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• The Egyptian Theatre: The Egyptian Theatre in Boise, ID is a nonprofit historic single-screen cinema presenting independent, classic, and special event films with memberships and community sponsorship, comparable to Campus Theatre's programming approach.
• The Avon Theatre: The Avon Theatre is a nonprofit historic single-screen movie palace in Stamford, CT featuring independent, classic, and foreign films with memberships and community programming analogous to Campus Theatre's operations.
• The Brattle Theatre: The Brattle Theatre is a nonprofit repertory cinema in Cambridge, MA specializing in classic, foreign, and independent films with membership programs, paralleling Campus Theatre's repertory and art-house programming strategy.
• The Byrd Theatre: The Byrd Theatre is a nonprofit, historic single-screen movie palace in Richmond, VA operating since 1928, with similar community-based programming, sponsorships, and historic preservation mission comparable to Campus Theatre's nonprofit model.
• Michigan Theater (Ann Arbor): The Michigan Theater is a nonprofit historic single-screen movie palace operated by the University of Michigan, featuring classic/independent films, rentals, and membership programs that closely mirror Campus Theatre's model with university partnership.
• The Loft Cinema: The Loft Cinema is a nonprofit art-house cinema in Tucson, AZ offering independent, classic, and foreign films with memberships and educational programming, sharing a comparable nonprofit film exhibition model with Campus Theatre.
• Tampa Theatre: Tampa Theatre is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) historic movie palace in Tampa, FL, hosting films, special events, and rentals with a comparable mix of repertory programming, sponsorships, and event-based revenue analogous to Campus Theatre.

Broad incumbents

• Alamo Drafthouse Cinema: Alamo Drafthouse is a large for-profit cinema chain known for repertory, classic, and special-event programming with dine-in service; it competes broadly in the same art-house/classic exhibition space but at a national commercial scale very different from Campus Theatre's nonprofit model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks2 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/campustheatre
• Facebookfacebook.com/campustheatre
• Instagraminstagram.com/thecampustheatre
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/campus-theatre

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 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 Campus Theatre