The National Theatre, Washington D.C.

What The National Theatre, Washington D.C. does

The National Theatre Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that owns and operates The National Theatre, a 1,700-seat historic venue located at 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., three blocks from the White House. Founded in 1835 and the second oldest theatre in the country, it is the oldest continuously operating business on Pennsylvania Avenue. The Foundation was incorporated in 1974 (originally as The National Theatre Corporation) to save the venue from demolition and was renamed in May 2021 to reflect its nonprofit mission; in February 2026 it acquired the property outright from Quadrangle Development Corporation for $4 million, placing the venue under nonprofit ownership for the first time in its 190-year history. Mainstage programming is operated by The Nederlander Organization under the Broadway at The National series, while the Foundation runs the venue's preservation, education, and community outreach activities.

The Foundation's core product portfolio includes Broadway at The National (mainstage touring productions), Saturday Morning Live! (40+ year free children's program for ages 3–6), Community Stages (formerly Community Stage Connections, 30+ year outreach program serving hospitalized children, elders, and isolated audiences), Teens Behind the Scenes (free Broadway access for 200+ high school students annually), and The National Theatre Archive (170+ years of historical materials being catalogued by a dedicated processing archivist). Supporting offerings include the Brandon Victor Dixon Awards for young DC talent, tiered membership programs (Friends of The National from $100 and National Theatre Circle from $1,000 to $25,000+), and the Dedicate-A-Seat donor recognition program. The venue's technology infrastructure includes a state-of-the-art Broadway-quality sound system installed in 2020, the GalaPro closed-captioning and audio description system installed in 2022, infrared assistive listening, ASL interpretation, removable wheelchair-accessible orchestra seats (since 1980), and modern CCTV/security systems. Distribution extends beyond the physical venue through YouTube, DC Public Library streaming partnerships, Zoom/WebEx/Teams virtual programming, and on-site delivery at Children's National Hospital and partner community sites.

The Foundation's revenue model is donor-dependent: it does not directly capture Broadway ticket revenue (handled by Nederlander) but benefits as venue steward, supplementing that stream with individual donations, corporate and foundation grants, government grants (DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, Events DC), membership subscriptions, seat dedications, and a 1:1 matching Curtain Call Challenge. Notable supporters include the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, Events DC, Kiplinger Family Foundation, J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation, Jacqueline Badger Mars, and Washington Children's Foundation. The Foundation is led by CEO Beryl Jolly with a small full-time staff (recently cited as 4–5) and a Board chaired by Sandy Wilkes, with recent additions including former DC Mayor Anthony A. Williams and Illumen Capital founder Daryn Dodson. Strategic direction is anchored by a SmithGroup-developed Master Facility Plan targeting phased renovations through the venue's 200th anniversary in 2035.

Name

The National Theatre, Washington D.C.

Legal name

The National Theatre Foundation

Website

https://nationaltheatre.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The National Theatre Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating the 190-year-old National Theatre on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington D.C., presenting Broadway touring productions via The Nederlander Organization and delivering free community and education programs to families, teens, and underserved populations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Venue

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB), Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music) (BPAGAHAB)

Keywords

• Live performing arts
• Broadway touring productions
• Arts education programs
• Community outreach programming
• Historic venue preservation

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Theatre Programming and Ticket Sales: The Nederlander Organization programs and operates Broadway at The National series. The foundation receives benefit from this arrangement as the property owner and steward of the venue.
2. Membership Programs: Friends of The National Theatre membership with multiple levels (Associates $100+, Sustainers $250+, Patrons $600+) and National Theatre Circle leadership donor program with additional benefits including website recognition, advance ticket access, complimentary beverages, and theatre tours.
3. Seat Dedications: Donors can dedicate seats in honor of loved ones with engraved plaques, framed certificates, and in-person unveiling ceremonies. Funds support educational programs and theatre maintenance.
4. Individual and Institutional Donations: Major donors, corporate sponsors, and foundation grants. Notable supporters include DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, Events DC, Kiplinger Family Foundation, J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation, Jacqueline Badger Mars, and many others at various giving levels.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The National Theatre Foundation owns and operates a historic 1,700-seat performing arts venue on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., presenting Broadway touring productions through its programming partnership with The Nederlander Organization, alongside free community performing arts programs for children (Saturday Morning Live!), teens (Teens Behind the Scenes), and isolated populations including hospitalized children and elders (Community Stages). The Foundation also delivers tiered membership programs, the Dedicate-A-Seat donor recognition program, and the National Theatre Archive.

Product overview

The National Theatre Foundation operates The National Theatre as a unified platform combining main stage Broadway programming with community outreach and educational initiatives. The core portfolio includes Broadway at The National (main stage theatrical programming), Saturday Morning Live! (children's programming), Community Stages (outreach to underserved populations), and Teens Behind the Scenes (youth education). Supporting programs include membership tiers (National Theatre Circle and Friends of The National), the historical archive, Dedicate-A-Seat donor recognition, and the Brandon Victor Dixon Awards. All educational and community programs are provided free of charge to expand access to the performing arts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Saturday Morning Live! Free weekly program engaging children ages 3-6 and their families with live performing arts performances at The National Theatre mainstage and in DC public libraries. Programs are interpreted into American Sign Language (ASL) and take place in wheelchair-accessible spaces.
• Community Stages (formerly Community Stage Connections) Program providing free, high-quality live performing arts experiences to communities facing barriers to accessing the arts, including Children's National Hospital, adult day healthcare centers, and assisted living facilities in the greater Washington area.
• Teens Behind the Scenes

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 200 high school students annually receive free Broadway access through Teens Behind the Scenes
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Ally Theatre CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Partner in ANCRD Voices program using Theatre of The Oppressed techniques for social justice education. Ally Theatre Company, led by Artistic Director Lori Pitts, provides theatrical tools to amplify voices of those currently and formerly incarcerated.
• Ship and Anchor LLCminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Partner in ANCRD Voices program led by CEO Devin Smith. Ship and Anchor LLC provides business consulting and strategic services, developing curriculum with Ally Theatre Company for Georgetown A.S.K. program.
• Children's National HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Since 2019, The National Theatre Foundation has partnered with Children's National Hospital to host live and virtual performing arts experiences for young patients and their families. Programming takes place in the Costco Wholesale Atrium and Healing Garden. Includes puppetry workshops, Sunflower Music Festival, and performances by artists including Words, Beats & Life.
• The Nederlander OrganizationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Nederlander Organization (based in New York City) programs The National Theatre, including the popular 'Broadway at The National' series. The organization has been synonymous with great entertainment on Broadway and throughout the country since 1912. Led by James L. Nederlander, they operate historic theatres and present theatrical entertainment and concert events.
• DC Public LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide live performances streamed on DC Public Library Facebook and YouTube pages during pandemic and beyond. Extends reach of Saturday Morning Live! and other programs to library patrons.
• Georgetown After School Kids (A.S.K.) ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeorgetown program created in 1987 serving at-potential teens in DC metropolitan area. Focuses on disrupting school-to-prison pipeline through social justice education and socio-emotional learning skills. Partner venue for ANCRD Voices program.
• Social Justice SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner venue for ANCRD Voices program serving 5th and 6th grade scholar activists. Opened in August 2020 with curriculum focusing on social justice and design thinking.
• Alex and OlmstedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternationally acclaimed puppet theater company (Alex Vernon and Sarah Olmsted Thomas) partnered since 2016 for Community Stage Connections. Created puppet-making workshops for Children's National Hospital dialysis unit. Award-winning company with Jim Henson Foundation grants and Maryland State Arts Council recognition.
• SmithGroupminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRenowned design firm engaged to develop comprehensive Master Facility Plan for The National Theatre's 200th anniversary in 2035. Funded by DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities grant.
• Compass Greater WashingtonminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvided pro bono consulting grant for strategic alignment evaluation. Worked with NTF team and Board to develop tools for evaluating program impact and mission alignment.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Shakespeare Theatre Company: DC-based nonprofit theatre company operating the Sidney Harman Hall and Lansburgh Theatre with classical and contemporary productions. Comparable DC venue operator with education programs and member/donor fundraising.
• Signature Theatre: Virginia-based (DC metro) nonprofit theatre operating its own venue with producing, education, and access programs. Comparable DMV-area venue operator with similar membership and donor programming.
• Goodman Theatre: Chicago-based nonprofit theatre producing and presenting work with strong education and community programs. Comparable regional performing arts organization with venue operations, education programs, and donor/membership model.
• Round House Theatre: Maryland-based (DC suburb) nonprofit theatre company producing plays with education programs. Comparable DMV-area performing arts nonprofit, though smaller scale and primarily a producing theatre.
• Arena Stage: Washington D.C. regional theatre company operating its own venue with a producing model and community engagement programming. Comparable DC-based nonprofit performing arts organization with a venue, though Arena Stage produces rather than presents.
• Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company: Washington D.C. nonprofit theatre producing new plays with community engagement programming. Comparable DC-based performing arts nonprofit, though smaller scale and producing-focused rather than venue-presenting.

Direct peers

• Center Theatre Group: Los Angeles nonprofit operating the Ahmanson Theatre, Mark Taper Forum, and Kirk Douglas Theatre. Comparable multi-venue presenting organization with Broadway touring, education, and community programming, similar scale and operating model.
• John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts: National cultural center in Washington D.C. operating multiple theatre and concert venues with broad performing arts programming, education initiatives, and federal support. Directly comparable as a major DC-based performing arts presenter and venue operator.
• Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts: New York-based complex hosting multiple resident performing arts companies and presenting Broadway, opera, ballet, and orchestral programming. Comparable multi-venue operator with education and community outreach programming alongside commercial rentals.

Broad incumbents

• Smithsonian Institution: Federal cultural institution operating multiple DC performance and exhibition venues with education programming. Comparable as a major DC cultural venue operator with national reach, though much larger scale and government-funded.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCDKiKdqBgUNMgGAZqsYDOZA
• Facebookfacebook.com/nattheatredc
• Instagraminstagram.com/nattheatredc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-national-theatre-washington-d-c-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 National Theatre, Washington D.C.