Opening Nights at Florida State University

What Opening Nights at Florida State University does

Opening Nights at Florida State University is a performing arts presenter and educational outreach program operating as a unit within Florida State University, a public state university in Tallahassee, Florida. The organization curates a season of world-class live performances — including music, dance, theatre, comedy, and spoken word — staged primarily at FSU-owned venues: the 1,172-seat Ruby Diamond Concert Hall, Conradi Theatre, and Opperman Music Hall. Tickets range from $25 to $135 depending on event and seating tier, distributed through the program's own online platforms (my.openingnights.fsu.edu, mobile.openingnights.fsu.edu) and an on-site box office.

Beyond its public mainstage series, Opening Nights runs 'Opening Nights in Class,' a free K-12 educational initiative that brings touring artists into Leon County Schools and the broader Big Bend region (Leon, Gadsden, Wakulla, and Jefferson Counties). Since September 2017 the program has served more than 3,000 K-12 students through in-school performances, master classes, and curriculum-aligned workshops. Educational content — including performance-specific learning guides, activity packets, and multimedia tools — is co-developed with the Florida Center for Reading Research (FCRR) and an Education Committee of Leon County educators. The annual Arts Advocate Award (since 2019) recognizes outstanding Leon County Schools educators who advance arts education; sponsorship partners include Walmart, VyStar Credit Union, AT&T, Centennial Bank, and others.

Name

Opening Nights at Florida State University

Legal name

Opening Nights at Florida State University

Website

https://openingnights.fsu.edu

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Opening Nights at Florida State University is a university-based performing arts presenter in Tallahassee that stages ticketed live performances at FSU venues and delivers free K-12 arts education across the Big Bend region through its Opening Nights in Class initiative.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Presentation

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Fine Arts Schools (611610), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

University & Educational Venue Operations (Auditoriums, Campus Arenas) (MPAGALAI)

Keywords

• Performing arts presentations
• Arts education programs
• K-12 educational outreach
• Live entertainment events
• Community arts engagement

Headquarters

HQ city

Tallahassee

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue generated from public performances at venues including Ruby Diamond Concert Hall, Conradi Theatre, and Opperman Music Hall. Ticket prices range from $25 to $135 depending on event and seating tier.
2. Sponsorships & Donations: Corporate sponsors (Walmart, VyStar Credit Union, AT&T, Centennial Bank, etc.) and individual donors fund the Opening Nights in Class educational programs, enabling free access for K-12 students.
3. Membership Program: Producer's Circle Membership Benefits offered to season members, sponsors, and Arts Advocate Award recipients, providing priority access, reserved parking, and complimentary benefits.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Opening Nights at Florida State University is a performing arts presenter that curates and stages world-class music, dance, theatre, comedy, and spoken word performances on the FSU campus, primarily at Ruby Diamond Concert Hall, Conradi Theatre, and Opperman Music Hall. It also operates the Opening Nights in Class educational initiative, delivering free curriculum-aligned performances, workshops, and master classes to K-12 schools in the Big Bend region.

Product overview

Opening Nights at Florida State University is a performing arts presenting organization offering a portfolio of programs including the core Opening Nights mainstage performance series featuring world-class artists, the Opening Nights in Class educational initiative bringing artists into schools, the Arts Advocate Award recognizing exceptional educators, and Resources for Educators providing learning guides and materials. The organization operates primarily through venue partnerships including Ruby Diamond Concert Hall and Conradi Theatre, serving the Tallahassee and Big Bend region community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Opening Nights in Class: Educational initiative that connects students with world-class artists through interactive, curriculum-aligned school-day performances, workshops, and master classes
• Arts Advocate Award

Products and services

• Opening Nights in Class Educational initiative connecting K-12 students with world-class artists through interactive, curriculum-aligned school-day performances, workshops, and master classes offered at no cost across the Big Bend region.
• Arts Advocate Award Annual recognition program celebrating outstanding Leon County Schools educators who demonstrate exceptional dedication to inspiring students through the arts, sponsored by VyStar Credit Union.
• PRISM Annual Concert Annual performance showcase featuring FSU College of Music students and faculty, blending traditional and popular music in collaboration with the college. Tickets priced at $55 general / $40 selected seating.
• Resources for Educators and Caregivers Free educational materials including performance-specific learning guides, activity packets, and multimedia tools developed with the Florida Center for Reading Research to connect live performances with classroom learning goals.
• Opening Nights Mainstage Performance Series Year-round ticketed public performances featuring world-class artists across music, dance, theatre, comedy, and spoken word genres, staged at Ruby Diamond Concert Hall, Conradi Theatre, and Opperman Music Hall. Ticket prices range from $25 to $135 depending on event and seating tier.
• Producer's Circle Membership Recurring donor membership program offering season members, sponsors, and Arts Advocate Award recipients priority access, reserved parking, complimentary benefits, and recognition.

Quantifiable outcome

• Provided free arts educational programming to more than 3,000 students (K-12) since September 2017
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Council on Culture & Arts (COCA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2019Collaborative partner in 'Arts Integration Full Circle' workshop developed with multiple organizations. COCA serves as the capital area's umbrella agency for arts and culture.
• John F. Kennedy Center's Partners in EducationflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2019Partnership for 'Math Dance' professional development workshops teaching elementary and middle school teachers to integrate dance into math instruction.
• Florida Alliance for Arts EducationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2019Partner organization in the 'PAInT Across Florida' initiative and 'Arts Integration Full Circle' collaborative workshop.
• Florida Center for Partnerships for Arts Integrated Teaching (PAInT)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2019Sponsor of 'Arts Integration Full Circle' workshop as part of 'PAInT Across Florida' initiative; Leon County was one of six counties committed to arts-integrated instruction.
• Focus 5, Inc.flagshipImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 26 June 2019National teaching artist Emily Smith led the 'Arts Integration Full Circle' workshop, providing arts integration training and consulting for K-8 educators.
• WalmartflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 November 2017Sponsor of the North Florida School Tour 'Echoes of Nature' program, which introduced more than 1,500 students to traditional Chinese art and music. Enables free programming for Leon and Jefferson county students.
• Florida Center for Reading Research (FCRR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing collaboration to create educational resources including performance-specific learning guides, activity packets, and multimedia tools that connect live performance experiences with educational goals. Resources developed for K-12 classrooms align with curriculum standards and enhance student engagement with performing arts.
• Leon County SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary educational partner for Opening Nights in Class program. Schools including Lincoln High School, Nims Middle School, Fairview Middle School, and elementary schools participate in master classes, performances, and educational workshops.
• VyStar Credit UnionflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerTitle sponsor of the Arts Advocate Award, supporting recognition of exceptional Leon County Schools educators who demonstrate outstanding dedication to enriching student lives through the arts.
• Tallahassee Symphony OrchestraflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presenting partner for 'Queens of Soul' event featuring Morgan James and Erica Gabriel backed by the orchestra under Darko Butorac's direction.
• FSU College of MusiccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual PRISM concert collaboration showcasing FSU College of Music students and faculty. Partnership also includes master classes, workshops, and collaborative compositions with visiting artists.
• Florida A&M UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMusic industry lecture by Shana Tucker for students in the Institute of Music Research and Music Industries Studies Department; Matt Dusk lecture for similar programming.
• AT&TflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor enabling school performance by DakhaBrakha at Lincoln High School for more than 400 students.
• Tallahassee Community CollegeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue partner for 'The Other Mozart' at Turner Auditorium; sponsored Cashore Marionettes workshop for TCC students.
• FSU Center for Global EngagementminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for 'Engage Your World Series: Intercultural Dialogue Series' featuring international artists including Hanzhi Wang and Julie Fowlis.
• FSU Autism InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost for Kevin Spencer magic-based workshops teaching magic tricks to improve cognitive, motor, communication, and social skills for individuals with autism.
• Boys and Girls Club of the Big BendminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecial partnership with FSU College of Motion Picture Arts to provide day-long film school experience for local Tallahassee students, sponsored by Prime.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Krannert Center for the Performing Arts (University of Illinois): University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's multi-venue performing arts presenter with extensive K-12 and community engagement. Direct comparable in campus-based presenting, multi-venue operations, and education-driven mission.
• Cal Performances at UC Berkeley: University-based performing arts presenter at UC Berkeley that brings world-class music, dance, and theater to its campus and broader community. Highly comparable as a peer university presenter combining public ticketed performances with educational outreach to local schools.
• 92nd Street Y (92NY): New York-based cultural and educational organization presenting performing artists alongside robust adult education and community programming. Comparable in combining ticketed presenting with a parallel educational mission.
• Lied Center for Performing Arts (University of Nebraska): University of Nebraska-Lincoln's presenting venue serving campus and broader community with touring artists and educational programs. Comparable as a regional university presenter combining ticket sales, sponsorships, and school outreach.
• Meany Center for the Performing Arts (University of Washington): UW's presenting organization bringing world-class artists to Seattle audiences with educational programming for students and community. Direct comparable in presenting model, university affiliation, and educational outreach focus.
• Celebrity Series of Boston: Non-profit performing arts presenter in Boston that books world-class artists across multiple venues with significant education and community engagement programming. Comparable business model (presenter, not producer) and educational outreach focus.
• Hancher Auditorium (University of Iowa): University of Iowa's presenting organization operating a major performance venue with educational K-12 and community engagement programs. Direct comparable as a university-affiliated presenter combining ticketed programming with school outreach and curriculum support.
• Touhill Performing Arts Center (UMSL): University of Missouri-St. Louis's venue operator and presenter serving a regional community with touring artists and educational programming. Comparable scale and structure as a state-university presenter with education mission.
• Center for the Performing Arts at Virginia Tech: Virginia Tech's presenting organization combining ticketed performances with arts-integration professional development for teachers. Direct comparable in combining university presenting with curriculum-aligned K-12 arts education.
• Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center (University of Maryland): University of Maryland's presenting organization offering multi-venue programming in music, dance, and theatre alongside K-12 engagement. Comparable scale, institutional structure, and educational mission to Opening Nights at FSU.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/openingnights
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/OpeningNightsVideos
• Facebookfacebook.com/openingnights
• Instagraminstagram.com/openingnights
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/opening-nights-fsu

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Opening Nights at Florida State University