What Double Edge Theatre does

Double Edge Theatre is a nonprofit cultural cooperative founded in 1982 by Stacy Klein and based at a 110-acre Farm Center in Ashfield, Massachusetts. The organization produces immersive site-specific physical theatre performances, including the annual Summer Spectacles traveling through its rural grounds, indoor productions, and internationally touring works such as 'Leonora, la maga y la maestra' (PBS-broadcast). Its underlying methodology is a 40+ year ensemble-based physical theatre training approach integrating emotional, imaginative, physical, and vocal disciplines, delivered through intensives, open training sessions, and university workshops across 20+ institutions globally.

The organization operates six revenue streams: performance ticket sales (via Eventbrite), training program fees ($1,100 per Fall Intensive including housing/meals), tiered memberships ranging from $250 (Silver) to $5,000+ (Diamond), corporate sponsorships up to $20,000 (Season Partner), foundation and government grants (Barr Foundation, Mellon Foundation, NEA, Massachusetts Cultural Council), and merchandise sales through a Square webstore. Pricing for training and membership programs is publicly disclosed; total revenue is not publicly disclosed.

The organization serves a diversified customer base including regional theatre audiences, professional and emerging performing artists, K-12 youth (140 served annually through Franklin County and Springfield partnerships), BIPOC and LGBTQ communities through four Art Justice partnerships, corporate sponsors, and institutional foundation funders. Its 21 subsidized housing units, working farm producing 10,000 meals annually, and clean energy systems represent an integrated rural resilience infrastructure that functions as both operational backbone and programmatic differentiator. The ensemble is governed cooperatively, with key leadership including Co-Artistic Directors Travis Coe, Milena Dabova, and Jennifer Johnson alongside Founder Stacy Klein.

Name

Double Edge Theatre

Legal name

Double Edge Theatre

Website

https://doubleedgetheatre.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Double Edge Theatre is a nonprofit cultural cooperative producing immersive site-specific physical theatre performances and training programs at its 110-acre Farm Center in Ashfield, Massachusetts, serving regional audiences, professional artists, youth, and BIPOC/LGBTQ communities through performances, intensives, residencies, and Art Justice partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts / Live Theatre

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (71111), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Performing Arts Companies (7111)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Fringe & Experimental Performing Arts (MPAGABAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Performing Arts & Music Lessons (Dance, Drumming, Instrument Lessons, Theater) (THAJAKAC), Touring Theatre Productions (MPAGABAC), Regional & Repertory Theatre Companies (MPAGABAB)

Keywords

• Live theatre performances
• Physical theatre training
• Performing arts residencies
• Theatre education programs
• Site-specific performances

Headquarters

HQ city

Ashfield, Massachusetts

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, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Performance Ticket Sales: Revenue from ticketed performances including Summer Spectacles, Spring productions, and Fall performances. Tickets sold through Eventbrite platform.
2. Training Program Fees: Fees from intensives (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall), workshops at universities, and individualized mentorship programs. Fall Intensive priced at $1,100 including housing and meals.
3. Membership Programs: Annual membership tiers (Silver $250+, Gold $500+, Platinum $1,000+, Sapphire $2,500+, Diamond $5,000+) providing benefits including advanced ticketing, complimentary tickets, and member events.
4. Corporate Sponsorships: Business sponsorship tiers from $500 Business Member to $20,000 Season Partner, with recognition benefits across email newsletters, social media, programs, and performance venues.
5. Foundation and Government Grants: Support from foundations including Barr Foundation, Mellon Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Massachusetts Cultural Council, and local cultural councils. Also USDA rural development support.
6. Merchandise Sales: Webstore selling Double Edge merchandise including shirts, mugs, and other branded items through Square platform.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Double Edge Theatre is a cultural cooperative that produces 2–3 original, physically-based, ensemble-created live theatre productions per year at its 110-acre Farm Center in Ashfield, Massachusetts, including site-specific Summer Spectacles and indoor Fall Productions. Beyond performances, the company runs immersive Training Programs (Summer Intensives, Open Training, Adult Workshops, University Workshops), residencies, internships, and community programs such as Conversations and Convenings and Art Justice, while sustaining operations through memberships, grants, sponsorships, donations, and merchandise sales.

Product overview

Double Edge Theatre is a cultural cooperative offering a portfolio of performing arts products and programs centered around its 110-acre Farm Center in Ashfield, Massachusetts. The core offerings include: (1) Performances – immersive Summer Spectacles that travel through outdoor landscapes and indoor productions; (2) Training Programs – intensives, open training, and workshops teaching their holistic physical methodology; (3) Residencies – artist residencies and mentorships; (4) Community Programs – conversations, convenings, and community days; (5) Membership – tiered membership benefits; and (6) Scholarships and Internships – supporting emerging artists. The organization positions itself as a living system integrating arts, land stewardship, and community building.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Summer Spectacles (site-specific outdoor productions) Original, physically-based, ensemble-created live theatre performances staged outdoors across the company's 110-acre Farm Center in Ashfield, MA. Intended for general theatre audiences, arts patrons, and visitors attracted to immersive site-specific spectacle theatre rooted in the company's Living Culture philosophy.
• Indoor Fall Productions Original ensemble-created indoor theatre productions staged at the Farm Center each fall. Intended for general audiences and arts patrons as part of Double Edge Theatre's annual 2–3 production cycle.
• Training Programs (Summer Intensives, Open Training, Adult Workshops) Multi-format immersive on-site training programs in physical ensemble theatre, including intensive summer sessions, ongoing open training, and adult workshops. Targeted at performing arts trainees, professional artists, and adult learners seeking rigorous ensemble-based skill development.
• University Workshops Workshops delivered for university theatre departments and graduate programs, exposing students to Double Edge Theatre's physical ensemble training methodology. Targeted at college and university theatre students and faculty.
• Residencies, Internships, and Scholarships On-site artistic residencies, internships, and scholarships providing extended immersive engagement with the company's ensemble creation and training methodology. Targeted at professional and pre-professional artists, including those from MFA and international programs.
• Membership Program (Supporter, Contributor, Sustainer, Patron) Annual tiered membership program with four giving levels (Supporter, Contributor, Sustainer, Patron) that provides recurring financial support and member benefits. Targeted at individual arts patrons and community supporters.
• Conversations and Convenings Public-facing community engagement program of conversations and convenings hosted at the Farm Center, complementing the company's performance and training work. Targeted at community members, artists, and local audiences.
• Art Justice Program Community-based program integrating the company's artistic practice with social justice engagement. Targeted at community members, partner organizations, and audiences interested in the intersection of art and justice.
• Merchandise Shop (T-shirts, Sweatshirts, Mugs, Hats) Branded merchandise shop selling apparel and accessories including T-shirts, sweatshirts, mugs, and hats. Targeted at audiences, members, and supporters seeking company-branded goods.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves 140 youth per year through workshops and performances
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Jupiter Performance StudiocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2024Long-term partnership beginning in 2017 with Ebony Noelle Golden, initially through Betty's Daughter Arts Collaborative. Co-presented 'again, the watercarriers: Ceremonies from in the name of the m/other tree' as the final chapter of the Ceremonies series. Jupiter Performance Studio was founded by Golden in 2020. Deep collaboration centered on Black diasporic performance traditions.
• Teatr Brama (Poland)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2023International presenting partner for 'Leonora, la maga y la maestra' in June 2023. Polish theatre venue that hosted DE's touring production.
• Porsgrunn Internasjonale Teaterfestival (Norway)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2023International theatre festival that presented 'Leonora, la maga y la maestra' in June 2023. Norwegian festival dedicated to international contemporary theatre.
• Apollo TheatercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 June 2022Apollo Theater and National Black Theatre co-commissioned 'In The Name Of The Mother Tree'. Originally commissioned by Apollo Theater with support from National Black Theatre. Work developed in residency at Double Edge Theatre.
• National Black TheatrecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 June 2022Co-commissioned 'In The Name Of The Mother Tree' with Apollo Theater. Theatre institution dedicated to Black cultural works, providing platform for the production's development and presentation.
• The HinterlandsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 June 2022Presented 'Will You Miss Me?' as part of DE's Constellations Festival celebrating the 40th anniversary of RITES. The Hinterlands (Detroit, MI) is a performance company whose work was previously featured in DE's Ashfield Town Spectacle.
• Norwegian Theatre AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020University partner for training workshops in 2020. International theatre education institution that hosted DE ensemble artists for residency and training exchange.
• Ohketeau Cultural CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2019Co-presented 'Howling at the Moon' with Larry Spotted Crow Mann. The Ohketeau Cultural Center, co-founded by Larry Spotted Crow Mann and Rhonda Anderson, is dedicated to Native American cultural preservation in Massachusetts. Partnership connects DE to Nipmuc Nation and regional Indigenous communities.
• American University of SharjahminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019University partner for training workshops in 2017 and 2019. International university in UAE where DE ensemble led training residencies.
• Boston Conservatory at BerkleeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019University partner for training workshops in 2019. Boston-based conservatory where DE ensemble delivered training methodology.
• Peak Performances at Montclair State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2018Primary presenting partner for 'Leonora, la maga y la maestra' premiere in March 2018. Hosted multi-camera video capture broadcast nationally on PBS. Ongoing relationship for DE productions.
• ArtsEmerson (Boston)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 February 2015Boston-based presenting organization that has hosted multiple DE productions including 'The Grand Parade' in 2015. Part of Emerson College, presenting international contemporary performance.
• Arena Stage (Washington, DC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2013Major presenting partner where 'The Grand Parade' premiered in February 2013. Regional theatre in Washington D.C. that has hosted DE's major productions.
• National Performance NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational network of ensemble theatres and artists supporting touring and collaboration. DE has received support and touring opportunities through this network.
• Greenfield Savings BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting Sponsor providing business sponsorship support to DE's operations and marketing.
• Wright BuildersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting Sponsor representing local construction/business partner supporting DE.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SITI Company: Ensemble-based theatre company co-founded by Anne Bogart, focused on training and devising original physical theatre works, comparable in methodology and touring model to Double Edge Theatre.
• The Living Theatre: Historic experimental ensemble known for politically engaged, immersive performance, comparable in radical theatrical framing and ensemble-driven creation.
• Mabou Mines: Long-running experimental ensemble theater focused on devised performance and physical work, sharing the small-ensemble, director-driven, original-works model.
• Dell'Arte International: Rural-based physical theatre company combining ensemble training, original devised work, and community engagement, highly comparable to Double Edge's Farm Center model.
• Synetic Theater: Physical theater ensemble specializing in wordless, movement-driven adaptations of classic works, sharing Double Edge's commitment to non-traditional performance vocabularies.
• Bread and Puppet Theater: Internationally recognized experimental theater company using large-scale puppetry, site-specific outdoor performance, and community-rooted rural operations, overlapping strongly with Double Edge's aesthetic and structural model.
• Wooster Group: Long-running NYC ensemble known for experimental, physically rigorous devised performance and integration of multiple art forms, comparable to Double Edge's innovative physical-theatre approach.

Emerging players

• Touch Mime Theater: Touring physical theatre ensemble producing original works with ensemble members, comparable in scale and physical-devised methodology.
• The Hinterlands: Detroit-based experimental performance company featured at Double Edge's Constellations Festival, working in devised physical performance that intersects with Double Edge's touring ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• National Theater of the Deaf: Established nonprofit ensemble theater producing touring original work and educational programming, with overlapping touring, training, and youth-engagement model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/double-edge-theatre

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Double Edge Theatre