Carlisle Theatre

What Carlisle Theatre does

Carlisle Theatre, legally the Carlisle Regional Performing Arts Center, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a 960-seat Art Deco historic venue at 40 West High Street in downtown Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Originally opened in May 1939 as The Comerford — one of three movie palaces downtown and the first centrally air-conditioned building in Carlisle — the theatre declined with the rise of cineplexes, closed in 1986, was purchased by a citizen group in 1991, restored through volunteer labor, and reopened in 1993. After a pandemic closure that reduced income by more than 75%, the theatre resumed full operations in August 2021 and currently presents programming across three tracks: Hollywood on High (independent, art, foreign, and repertory film), Players on High (live theatrical productions and summer youth camps), and concerts/live music. Supporting offerings include a Players Pass season subscription, a tiered donation program ($100 to $10,000+), gift cards, and venue and marquee rentals.

The venue's core technology is the physical Art Deco facility itself, equipped with state-of-the-art audio-visual infrastructure including an 18,000 Lumen projector, a digital film projection system, in-house sound and lighting, and wireless/handheld microphones — capabilities that support both first-party programming and third-party venue rentals. Tickets are sold through two third-party SaaS platforms, Showare (concerts and live theatre) and Veezi (films), supplemented by an on-site box office. Marketing is conducted through organic social channels (Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram), Constant Contact email newsletters, a content website, and local community partnerships with the Downtown Carlisle Association, Carlisle Summerfair, and regional sponsors.

Revenue is generated across six streams: ticket sales (with tiered pricing $5–$8 for films, ~$30 for special events), venue rentals (corporate events, weddings, private screenings, conferences), concessions (popcorn, candy, beverages), a tiered donation/sponsorship program supporting both general operations and live theatre productions, gift cards (HOH Card $60, Date Night Card $20), and $200/day marquee rentals. The customer base is highly diversified across film enthusiasts, theatre patrons, concert-goers, families, youth camp participants, local corporate event clients, and recurring donors within the Cumberland County catchment. The organization operates with a small paid executive staff of six managers supported by a volunteer workforce.

Name

Carlisle Theatre

Legal name

Carlisle Regional Performing Arts Center, Inc.

Website

https://carlisletheatre.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1939

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Carlisle Theatre is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit performing arts center operating a 960-seat Art Deco historic venue in downtown Carlisle, Pennsylvania, presenting films, live theatre, concerts, and youth summer camps under the Hollywood on High and Players on High brands since 1939.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Venue

NAICS

Motion Picture Theaters (except Drive-Ins) (512131), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (71111), Other Performing Arts Companies (71119)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830)

akta.pro primary industry

Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Alternative Content Exhibition (Live Broadcasts, Concert Films, Sports, Opera) (MPADAKAG), Musical Theatre (Non-Broadway/Fringe) (MPAGABAG)

Keywords

• Performing arts venue
• Film screenings
• Live theatre productions
• Concert events
• Facility rentals

Headquarters

HQ city

Carlisle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from selling tickets to films, live theatre productions, and concerts. Different pricing tiers for adults, seniors, military, children, and matinee performances.
2. Venue Rental: The theatre is rented out for corporate events, meetings, weddings, private film screenings, conferences, memorial services, and rehearsal dinners. Includes house seating, lobbies, technical support, and concession services.
3. Concessions: On-site concession stand offering popcorn, candy, and beverages. Accepts credit/debit cards with ATM available for cash.
4. Donations and Membership: Friends of the Theatre donation campaign with multiple tiers offering perks like pre-sale opportunities, exclusive emails, film patron passes, and live theatre tickets. CARES Act charitable giving incentives available.
5. Sponsorships: Live theatre sponsorship tiers from $250 (Props Master) to $10,000 (Producer), each offering complimentary tickets, program ads, website recognition, and promotional materials.
6. Gift Cards: HOH Card ($60) for 10 film admissions plus 10 small popcorns, and Date Night Card ($20) for 2 adult film admissions plus large popcorn or candy. Cards shipped via USPS with tracking.
7. Marquee Rental: Marquee rentals at $200 per day for personalized messages up to 3 lines, with optional flashing marquee for photos during open theatre hours.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Carlisle Theatre operates a 960-seat Art Deco historic performing arts center in downtown Carlisle, Pennsylvania, presenting film screenings through the Hollywood on High series, live theatrical productions under Players on High, and concerts. The venue also generates revenue through facility rentals for corporate events and private functions, gift cards, concessions, and a tiered donation and sponsorship program supporting the 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Product overview

Carlisle Theatre operates as a multi-venue performing arts center offering three primary programming divisions: Hollywood on High (film programming), Players on High (live theatre productions), and concerts/live music events. The 960-seat Art Deco theatre, established in 1939 and renovated in 1993, also generates revenue through facility rentals, gift cards (HOH Card and Date Night Card), and tiered sponsorship/donation programs (Friends of the Theatre and Live Theatre Sponsorship Tiers ranging from $250-$10,000). Additional offerings include summer camp theatre programs for students and marquee rentals for personalized messages.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hollywood on High Film Programming

Named customers3 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Scotty ProductionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduces live theatrical productions at Carlisle Theatre including 'Once Upon A Pointe Shoe' and 'Dancing in the Aisles - The Ultimate Motown Experience'. Acts as a production partner bringing professional theatre content to the venue.
• Realms of EntropycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presents TTRPG live-play shows and family-friendly programming with Players on High, including 'Pest Control: The Beach Episode' and 'Nostalgic Summer Kids' film screenings.
• Crystal Oakman, LLCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Summer Classic Horror Series - provides financial support for Wednesday night horror film screenings in July.
• Carlisle SummerfairminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsors free film screenings including 'National Treasure' and supports community film programming.
• Downtown Carlisle AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsors LoveCarlisle Film Special screenings like 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' to promote downtown Carlisle.
• The Winery at the Long Shot FarmminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-sponsor of Books to Film series screening 'Call Me By Your Name', supporting literary-themed programming.
• Phil The Thrill StudiosminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCreates custom movie posters for Summer Classic Horror Series, partnering with Carlisle Theatre for creative visual content.
• Players on HighcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLive theatre branch of Carlisle Theatre producing theatrical productions, summer camps for elementary and middle school students, and family programming. Houses the theatre's educational outreach mission.
• Hollywood on HighcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFilm branch of Carlisle Theatre presenting independent, art, and foreign films plus popular repertory events. Generates revenue through ticket sales and gift cards.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Alamo Drafthouse Cinema: Specialty cinema chain focused on repertory, independent, and alternative film exhibition with dine-in service. Comparable in the Hollywood on High programming niche (alternative and repertory film exhibition) but operates a for-profit, multi-location model.

Broad incumbents

• AMC Theatres: Largest U.S. motion picture exhibitor operating thousands of screens. Relevant as the broader incumbent competing for film exhibition attendance and historically responsible for displacing single-screen venues like the original Comerford theatre.

Regional players

• Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts: Harrisburg, PA-based nonprofit performing arts and cultural center offering film, theatre, and concerts. Comparable Pennsylvania nonprofit cultural venue, though broader in mission (includes science exhibits) and larger in scale.

Direct peers

• The Colonial Theatre: Restored historic theatre in Phoenixville, PA operating as a nonprofit with film, live music, and community programming. Closely matches Carlisle Theatre's restored historic single-venue nonprofit model in the same Pennsylvania market.
• Hershey Theatre: Historic Pennsylvania performing arts venue that presents touring Broadway, concerts, and film programming under a comparable operating model. Same regional Pennsylvania market context and similar heritage-venue positioning.
• Strand Theatre: Historic single-screen art-deco theatre in Hudson, NY operating as a nonprofit performing arts venue with film, live performance, and rental programming. Closely comparable to Carlisle Theatre in scale, venue type, programming diversification, and nonprofit community-venue model.
• Regent Theatre: Arlington, MA-based restored historic theatre operating as a nonprofit presenting film, live theatre, concerts, and rentals. Highly comparable community-anchor nonprofit venue model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/carlisletheatre
• Facebookfacebook.com/CarlisleTheatre
• Instagraminstagram.com/carlisletheatre
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/carlisle-theater

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Carlisle Theatre