Curtain Call, Inc.

What Curtain Call, Inc. does

Curtain Call, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community theatre company founded in 1990 and headquartered at the Sterling Farms Theatre Complex, 1349 Newfield Avenue, Stamford, Connecticut. The organization operates two performance venues — The Kweskin Theatre (main stage) and The Dressing Room Theatre (intimate black box) — and produces 10 to 12 full-scale productions per year spanning musicals, comedies, mysteries, holiday shows, and dramatic works, serving approximately 30,000+ patrons annually across Fairfield County. Beyond ticketed performances, Curtain Call runs year-round educational programming (performing arts classes and workshops for ages 5 through adult), the Summer Youth Theatre production program (now in its 36th year, serving ~100 students with 100+ hours of rehearsal and performance), Summer Stock Full-Day Workshops, and special events.

The organization's revenue model is a diversified nonprofit mix spanning transaction-based ticket sales ($25–$46 per ticket plus a $3 service fee), subscription products (Flex Passes ranging $180–$390 for 5–10 tickets with exchange privileges), educational class fees ($50–$385), donations and planned giving, corporate show sponsorships and playbill advertising reaching the 30,000+ patron audience, one-time legacy gifts through the Buy a Chair ($250) and Buy a Brick ($250–$5,000) programs, and government grants from the CT Office of the Arts. Distribution occurs through an in-house box office (with extended hours on performance days), the Ludus online ticketing platform, and a group sales channel for parties of 20+. There is no proprietary technology stack beyond the standard Hibu website and Ludus third-party ticketing integration; the operation is fundamentally a labor- and venue-driven live entertainment business dependent on 300+ annual volunteers and a 33-person staff.

Curtain Call's strategic positioning rests on three pillars: a deep community ecosystem (the only year-round nonprofit producing theatre in Stamford, with deep volunteer roots), brand recognition (Governor's Award for Excellence in Culture and Tourism 2011, ACE Award 2016, 10 consecutive years as Fairfield County's Best Local Theatre Group), and a structural cooperation agreement with the City of Stamford that secures its venue footprint. Customer segments span the general public, youth and families, seniors and children, organized groups, and local business advertisers/sponsors. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors led by Chairperson Ted Yudain, Esq. and managed by long-tenured Executive Director Lou Ursone (named State Arts Administrator of the Year in 2008), with no parent company, subsidiaries, or external equity ownership.

Name

Curtain Call, Inc.

Legal name

Curtain Call Inc

Website

https://curtaincallinc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Curtain Call, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community theatre in Stamford, CT, operating two venues at the Sterling Farms Theatre Complex and producing 10-12 live performances annually for 30,000+ patrons, supplemented by year-round youth and adult performing arts education.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Theatre / Performing Arts

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Performing Arts Companies (7111), Other Performing Arts Companies (711190)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Theater, Musicals & Performing Arts (THAJAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Musical Theatre (Non-Broadway/Fringe) (MPAGABAG), Children’s & Youth Theatre (MPAGABAE)

Keywords

• Live theatre productions
• Community performing arts
• Theatrical education programs
• Musical theatre performances
• Youth theatre workshops

Headquarters

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

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: Primary revenue stream from individual tickets to mainstage productions. Ticket prices range from $25-$43 depending on age category, with additional service fees. Provides main source of operating revenue.
2. Flex Pass Subscriptions: Subscription-based revenue through Flex Passes offering 5-10 tickets at discounted rates compared to single ticket purchases. Encourages customer commitment and advance revenue.
3. Educational Programming Fees: Revenue from performing arts classes for ages K through adult, including Summer Stock Workshops, Spring/Winter classes, and Summer Youth Theatre. Fees range from $50 for Summer Youth Theatre to $385 for performance classes.
4. Advertising & Sponsorships: Revenue from playbill advertisements, show sponsorships, and presenting sponsor opportunities targeting the 30,000+ annual patrons. Advertisers receive free tickets based on ad size.
5. Donations & Contributions: Tax-deductible donations supporting youth programming, particularly the Summer Youth Theatre program. Includes planned giving and legacy gift options.
6. Buy a Chair/Buy a Brick Program: One-time purchases of personalized commemorative chairs ($250) or bricks ($250-$5,000) in theatre, creating lasting legacy donations.
7. City & State Funding: Support from CT Office of the Arts / Department of Economic Development and cooperation with City of Stamford for programming at Sterling Farms Theatre Complex.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Curtain Call, Inc. produces and presents live theatrical performances at two venues — The Kweskin Theatre and The Dressing Room Theatre — at the Sterling Farms Theatre Complex in Stamford, CT. The company stages 10-12 full-scale productions annually, including musicals, comedies, mysteries, and holiday shows, while also offering performing arts education programs (Summer Youth Theatre, year-round classes, Summer Stock Workshops) for participants from kindergarten through adult.

Product overview

Curtain Call, Inc. is a nonprofit community theatre company operating two performance venues at the Sterling Farms Theatre Complex in Stamford, CT: The Kweskin Theatre (main stage) and The Dressing Room Theatre (intimate black box). The company's core product is live theatrical entertainment, producing 10 to 12 full-scale productions annually spanning musicals, dramas, comedies, and mystery plays. Supporting products include the Summer Youth Theatre (a full production program for ages 9-21), educational programming (classes in acting, dance, music, and improv for ages 5 through adult), Summer Stock Full-Day Workshops (intensive summer programs), and special events (comedy nights, concert readings). Ancillary revenue products include playbill advertising, show sponsorships, and the Buy a Chair/Buy a Brick legacy program. The company also offers group ticket sales with volume discounts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Kweskin Theatre: Main stage theatre venue operated by Curtain Call.
• The Dressing Room Theatre

Products and services

• Mainstage Productions (The Kweskin Theatre) Full-scale theatrical productions performed at The Kweskin Theatre, the main stage venue at Sterling Farms Theatre Complex. Includes musicals, dramas, comedies, mysteries, and holiday shows produced as part of the annual 10-12 production season for general audiences and theatre enthusiasts.
• Intimate Productions (The Dressing Room Theatre) Smaller-scale productions and special events held in an intimate black-box performance space with cabaret-style seating and a BYOEverything format, offering a more immersive viewing experience for audiences.
• Summer Youth Theatre Intensive production program for young performers entering 4th grade through age 21. Participants audition for roles in a full-scale musical production and receive professional-level training in acting, music, and choreography over approximately 100 hours of rehearsal and performance.
• Year-Round Performing Arts Classes Performing arts classes and workshops for ages 5 through adult, covering acting, musical theatre, dance, improv, and technical theatre. Includes spring, winter, and fall sessions, plus a 'From Script to Character' workshop for adults.
• Summer Stock Full-Day Workshops Full-day theatre curriculums for students entering K through 12th grade, with specialized tracks in Creative Theatre, Musical Theatre, and Junior Sessions. Students rotate among three areas of study and present a showcase at the conclusion of each two-week session.
• Special Events Beyond regular performances, Curtain Call offers comedy nights, concert readings of new musicals, and other cultural events featuring both local talent and guest performers.
• Playbill Advertising and Show Sponsorships Advertising and sponsorship opportunities for local businesses, including full-page, half-page, quarter-page, and business card-sized playbill ads reaching 30,000+ patrons annually, plus presenting sponsor packages that place the sponsor's name above the show title across all marketing materials.
• Buy a Chair / Buy a Brick Legacy Program Legacy commemoration program allowing individuals to purchase a personalized chair in The Kweskin Theatre auditorium ($250) or a brick in the lobby ($250-$5,000 depending on tier), creating permanent recognition within the theatre.
• Flex Pass Subscriptions Subscription-based ticket bundles offering 5 or 10 admissions at discounted per-ticket rates compared to single ticket purchases, with no per-ticket service fee. Includes Adult Flex Pass ($205 for 5 tickets), Adult Super Flex Pass ($390 for 10 tickets), Senior Flex Pass ($180), and Senior Super Flex Pass ($238 for 7 tickets).
• Group Ticket Sales Discounted group ticket rates for parties of 20 or more, with dedicated group sales service via the box office for organizations, businesses, and social groups planning group outings.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30,000+ patrons entertained annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 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

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Stamford Community Arts CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1990Founded in 1990 in association with The Stamford Community Arts Council, which helped establish the theatre company.
• CELCO Heating and Air ConditioningminorGTM or Marketing PartnerShow sponsor providing support in exchange for recognition and visibility among theatre patrons.
• Cingari Family MarketsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerShow sponsor - local grocery retailer providing marketing support for productions.
• Fairfield County BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerShow sponsor - local financial institution supporting theatre productions.
• Riko's PizzaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerShow sponsor - local restaurant contributing to production support.
• Ring's EndminorGTM or Marketing PartnerShow sponsor - local hardware retailer supporting theatre productions.
• Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Clean UpminorGTM or Marketing PartnerShow sponsor providing support for theatre productions.
• City of StamfordcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAll programming presented in cooperation with the City of Stamford. Theatre complex located at Sterling Farms with city partnership since 1992.
• CT Office of the Arts / Department of Economic DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunded in part by CT Office of the Arts / Department of Economic Development supporting operations and programming.
• Vinny's BackyardminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRestaurant partner offering discounts to Flex Pass subscribers. Serves super-thin crust pizza and terrific wings.
• The StilleryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRestaurant partner offering discounts to Flex Pass subscribers. Features happy hour with beverages and appetizers.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• White Plains Performing Arts Center: White Plains, NY-based performing arts center presenting a season of plays, musicals, and concerts with educational programs. Comparable on programming mix and ticketed family/community entertainment, though operating in a different metro market.

Direct peers

• Goodspeed Musicals: Connecticut-based nonprofit musical theatre company operating the Goodspeed Opera House and The Terris Theatre. Comparable to Curtain Call as a Connecticut-focused, year-round nonprofit producing musical theatre with strong educational programming and a similar ticket/subscription/donation revenue mix.
• Westport Country Playhouse: Historic Fairfield County, CT nonprofit professional theatre producing a main-stage season of plays, musicals, and new works. Closely comparable on geography, nonprofit structure, subscription/season model, and educational outreach for youth and adults.
• Long Wharf Theatre: New Haven, CT-based nonprofit regional theatre producing a season of plays, musicals, and new works, plus education programs. Directly comparable as a Connecticut nonprofit producing theatre with subscription ticketing, classes, and donor-supported operations.
• Playhouse on Park: West Hartford, CT community-based professional theatre producing a season of plays and musicals with educational programming. Comparable community-theatre scale, subscription model, and emphasis on youth/adult classes.
• Norwalk Community Players: Long-running Norwalk, CT community theatre producing a season of plays and musicals with volunteer performers. Comparable on community-theatre scale, volunteer-driven model, and Fairfield County audience.
• Wilton Playshop: Wilton, CT volunteer-driven community theatre producing a season of plays and musicals. Directly comparable on community-nonprofit structure, volunteer-heavy production model, and Fairfield County audience base.
• Darien Arts Center: Darien, CT community arts organization offering performing arts classes, productions, and youth programming. Closely comparable as a neighboring Fairfield County nonprofit combining live theatre, youth education, and ticket-based programming.
• TheaterWorks Hartford: Hartford, CT nonprofit professional theatre producing a year-round season of contemporary plays and musicals. Comparable as a Connecticut nonprofit producing theatre with subscription ticketing, donor funding, and education initiatives.

Broad incumbents

• Broadway Rose Theatre Company: Oregon-based professional nonprofit musical theatre company producing a year-round season. Comparable on nonprofit producing theatre model with subscription ticketing, education programs, and donor/sponsor support, though at a larger and more established scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/curtain-call-inc.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 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 Curtain Call, Inc.