The Elysian Theater

What The Elysian Theater does

The Elysian Theater is an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) live performance venue located at 1944 Riverside Dr in the Elysian Valley neighborhood of Los Angeles, founded in 2006 and currently operating with 17 employees. It runs three distinct performance spaces — the Main Stage, The Vault, and the Skunk Room — and stages a dense calendar of stand-up comedy, improv, clown, sketch, theatrical productions, and variety shows. Recurring programming includes the 20+ year-old Tomorrow! late-night variety show with Ron Lynch, the ROOMIES showcase, and the Famous People Improv Show; the venue also produces an annual multi-day Spaghetti Festival and weekly open mics.

The business operates on a direct-to-consumer model. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time ticket sales ($10–$20 in-person; $6 livestream), supplemented by recurring memberships and tax-deductible donations under its 501(c)(3) status, fees from classes and workshops (stand-up, sketch writing, clown, solo-show devising), and theater rentals. Tickets are sold through the Squarespace-hosted website and at the door. Customer acquisition is event-driven, supported by an email newsletter, social media, and earned media through partnerships including Netflix Is A Joke Festival and development programs linked to Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

The Elysian's strategic identity centers on alternative, experimental, and queer-affirming comedy, which differentiates it from mainstream LA clubs. Artist development is formalized through the Edinburgh Percolator, Company-In-Residence, and Playing Yourself programs, which have produced award-winning exports (International Fringe Encore Series, Hollywood Fringe Best Solo Theatre). The venue has no proprietary technology platform or app; its IP is artistic and community-based rather than technological.

Name

The Elysian Theater

Legal name

The Elysian

Website

https://elysiantheater.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Elysian Theater is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit live comedy and performance venue in Los Angeles operating three stages (Main, The Vault, Skunk Room) and hosting stand-up, improv, variety shows, classes, and an annual Spaghetti Festival.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Performance Venue

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (711310), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (71111), Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Nightclub & Small Live Venue Operations (Clubs, Bars with Stages) (MPAGALAF), Event Operations & Venue Services (Box Office, FOH/BOH, Concessions) (MPAIAFAL)

Keywords

• Live comedy venue
• Improvisational theater
• Comedy education
• Performance space rental
• Nonprofit arts organization

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

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

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Primary revenue stream from selling tickets to live performances including stand-up comedy, improv, theatrical productions, and variety shows across three performance spaces. Tickets range from $10-20 for most shows.
2. Classes and Workshops: Revenue from educational programming including stand-up classes, sketch writing classes, and other comedy instruction taught by professional performers.
3. Membership and Donations: As a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization, The Elysian accepts tax-deductible donations and offers membership programs to support the venue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Elysian Theater is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) live performance venue in Los Angeles that operates three performance spaces (Main Stage, The Vault, and Skunk Room) hosting live comedy, improv, theatrical productions, variety shows, and clown performances. It sells tickets directly to consumers and runs complementary programming including classes, workshops, weekly open mics, the annual Spaghetti Festival, theater rentals, and a membership program.

Product overview

The Elysian Theater is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) comedy and theater venue in Los Angeles operating three performance spaces (Main Stage, The Vault, and Skunk Room). The venue hosts a diverse portfolio of live comedy offerings including recurring shows like ROOMIES, Tomorrow! w/ Ron Lynch, and The Famous People Improv Show, as well as an annual Spaghetti Festival. Additional offerings include classes and workshops, weekly open mics, theater rentals, and a membership program. The venue is built on Squarespace with livestream capabilities for select shows.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Spaghetti Festival: Annual theater festival showcasing new works, experimental comedy, and emerging artists
• Spaghetti 2026
• Tomorrow!

Products and services

• Main Stage (Performance Space) Primary performance space at The Elysian Theater hosting live comedy, improv, theatrical productions, and variety shows for audiences in Los Angeles.
• The Vault (Performance Space) Intimate performance space at The Elysian Theater hosting comedy shows, stand-up showcases, and theatrical productions for smaller audiences.
• Skunk Room (Performance Space) Intimate performance space at The Elysian Theater featuring alternative and experimental comedy performances and recurring shows such as ROOMIES.
• Spaghetti Festival Annual multi-day comedy festival at The Elysian Theater featuring emerging talent, solo shows, and theatrical productions.
• Classes and Workshops Educational programming at The Elysian Theater including stand-up comedy classes, sketch writing classes, and clown workshops taught by professional comedians, intended for aspiring performers.
• Weekly Open Mics Regular open mic nights at The Elysian Theater providing stage time opportunities for emerging comedians and performers.
• Theater Rentals Venue rental options at The Elysian Theater for productions, events, and private bookings across the three performance spaces.
• Elysian Membership Program Membership program offering benefits to supporters of the nonprofit 501(c)(3) theater, including supporters of the venue's programming.
• ROOMIES (Recurring Show) Recurring free comedy showcase hosted by Dylan Adler, Sam Morrison, and Kylie Vincent in the Skunk Room at The Elysian Theater.
• Tomorrow! w/ Ron Lynch Weekly late-night variety show hosted by Ron Lynch at The Elysian Theater, in its 20th+ year, featuring rotating comedians and specialty acts.
• The Famous People Improv Show Improvised comedy show at The Elysian Theater featuring guest monologists and LA's finest improvisers, available both in-person and via livestream.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Netflix Is A Joke FestivalcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Elysian Theater serves as an official venue partner for Netflix Is A Joke Festival, hosting featured shows including Bizarre Bazaar and The Tomorrow Show with Ron Lynch. This partnership provides high-profile exposure and access to major comedy talent.
• Edinburgh Festival FringecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThrough programs like Edinburgh Percolator and Company-In-Residence, The Elysian develops shows specifically for Edinburgh Fringe. Shows like Martha's Umbra and Gregory Nussen: QFWFQ have been developed at The Elysian and taken to Edinburgh.
• Playing Yourself WorkshopminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Elysian's solo show devising workshop led by Artistic Director Jacquelyn Landgraf develops new solo performances, with shows like Put Together emerging from this program.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Groundlings: Long-running LA improv and sketch comedy theater with an attached training school and regular performance programming; overlaps directly with The Elysian's improv and sketch classes plus repertory show calendar.
• Largo at the Coronet: Intimate LA performance venue hosting comedy, music, and variety shows with limited capacity and curated programming; directly comparable format and audience size to The Vault/Skunk Room.
• The Pack Theater: LA-based independent theater focused on improv, sketch, and alternative comedy, with training programs. Closely comparable niche positioning and target audience to The Elysian.
• Dynasty Typewriter: LA performance venue hosting comedy, variety, and live shows in a similar alt-comedy programming lane; competes for the same Los Angeles live-comedy audience as The Elysian.
• UCB (Upr Citizens Brigade Theatre): Upright Citizens Brigade operates comedy/improv theaters with training programs and recurring shows, directly mirroring The Elysian's combination of performance venue, classes, and improv programming for LA-based comedy audiences.

Broad incumbents

• The Comedy Store: Iconic Sunset Strip stand-up comedy venue operating multiple rooms with established headliner programming. Much larger and more mainstream than The Elysian but serves the same LA live-comedy demand.
• The Second City: National comedy institution with theaters and training centers (Chicago, Toronto, LA). Comparable mix of stand-up/improv/sketch training plus performance programming, though much larger scale and broader brand.

Regional players

• Bootleg Theater: LA independent arts venue in a similar neighborhood-scale operation model hosting experimental theater, comedy, and live performance with comparable nonprofit/community programming ethos.
• Zebulon: LA arts venue combining music, comedy, and experimental performance programming with a community-focused ethos overlapping The Elysian's alt-comedy positioning in the same city.

Others

• Hollywood Fringe Festival: Annual LA festival ecosystem where The Elysian shows (e.g., QFWFQ) compete and tour. Closely thematically linked as a festival partner/channel rather than a direct venue competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-elysian-theater

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 The Elysian Theater