Starlite Theatre
Starlight Theatre is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating the oldest continuously operating outdoor theatre in the United States in Kansas City, Missouri, presenting Broadway touring productions, concerts, and community programs serving 320,000+ patrons annually through ticketed entertainment, sponsorships, and an extensive education and community engagement portfolio.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1950
- HeadquartersKansas City, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Starlite Theatre does
Starlight Theatre Association of Kansas City, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit performing arts organization founded in 1950 and headquartered at 4600 Starlight Road in Kansas City's Swope Park. It operates the oldest and largest continuously operating outdoor theatre in the United States, comprising an 8,000+-seat open-air amphitheatre and a 464-seat climate-controlled indoor venue called the Cohen Community Stage House. The organization serves Kansas City residents and visitors with a summer program of Broadway touring productions (AdventHealth Broadway Series), popular music concerts (Capitol Federal Concert Series), family entertainment, and Movie Nights, alongside year-round indoor programming and community engagement initiatives.
The venue is supported by a multi-channel ticketing infrastructure including an online portal, the KC Starlight mobile app (developed with Kansas City-based technology firm FanThreeSixty), phone sales, an in-person box office, group sales, and season-ticket subscriptions. Beyond ticketed entertainment, Starlight operates an extensive portfolio of education and community programs — Blue Star Awards (est. 2003; 5,000+ high school students annually), Tech Theatre Training, Arts Bridge, Vincent Legacy Scholarship, Raise Our Voices, Just Imagine, Community Tickets, and the Bob Rohlf Internship Program — plus venue rentals, an Annual Benefit Gala, and the peer-to-peer Starry Night fundraising event.
The business model blends earned revenue (ticket sales, concessions, venue rentals) with contributed revenue (corporate sponsorships including AdventHealth, Capitol Federal, Pepsi, Stepp & Rothwell, and Janssen; foundation grants including a $150K Disney grant; and an active $40M Uniquely KC Capital Campaign funding venue improvements and program expansion). The organization is led by President & CEO Lindsey Rood-Clifford and an executive team of five C-suite officers, governed by an independent local Board of Directors.
Starlite Theatre firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Starlite Theatre
- Legal name
- Starlight Theatre Association of Kansas City, Inc.
- Website
- https://starlitetheatre.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1950
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Starlight Theatre is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating the oldest continuously operating outdoor theatre in the United States in Kansas City, Missouri, presenting Broadway touring productions, concerts, and community programs serving 320,000+ patrons annually through ticketed entertainment, sponsorships, and an extensive education and community engagement portfolio.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Starlite Theatre industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Live Performing Arts Venue
- NAICS
- Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Performing Arts Companies (7111)
- SIC
- Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Outdoor Amphitheater & Open-Air Venue Operations (MPAGALAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB), Concerts & Music Festivals (THAJAFAA)
Keywords
Where Starlite Theatre is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kansas City
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Starlite Theatre business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Ticket Sales: Revenue from Broadway shows, concerts, family performances, and special events. General parking included with tickets; premium parking available for additional fee.
- Venue Rentals: Event services division renting venue spaces for private events, corporate functions, and community gatherings through rental request process.
- Donations and Fundraising: Uniquely KC Capital Campaign ($40 million), annual benefit gala, Starry Night peer-to-peer fundraising, donor memberships, and raffle programs supporting community programs and venue improvements.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Partnership arrangements with companies including AdventHealth (Broadway Series), Capitol Federal (Concert Series), Pepsi, and others for naming rights and event sponsorship.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Season Tickets |
| Subscription | Per occurrence | Group Tickets |
| Unit Pricing | Per occurrence | Individual Event Tickets |
| Unit Pricing | Per occurrence | Movie Nights |
| Freemium | Per occurrence | Student Performance Tickets |
| Unit Pricing | Per occurrence | Starry Night Event Tickets |
| Unit Pricing | Per occurrence | Premium Parking |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels6 records
Starlite Theatre product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Starlite Theatre (Starlight Theatre Association of Kansas City, Inc.) operates the oldest and largest continuously operating outdoor theatre in the country, presenting a summer season of Broadway musicals and popular concerts in an 8,000+-seat open-air amphitheatre in Swope Park, Kansas City. The organization supplements ticketed entertainment with a 464-seat climate-controlled indoor venue, community engagement and arts education programs, venue rental services for private events, and donor-supported free student performances and outreach initiatives.
Product overview
Starlight Theatre is a performing arts venue offering live entertainment experiences. The organization operates as a single unified venue with multiple interconnected programs and services: the core Broadway and Concert experiences are the primary entertainment offerings, supported by an array of community engagement programs including the Blue Star Awards, Tech Theatre Training, Arts Bridge, Community Tickets, Just Imagine, Vincent Legacy Scholarship, and Raise Our Voices. Additional services include Student Performances, the Bob Rohlf Internship Program, venue rentals, and comprehensive ticket services. The organization also conducts major fundraising campaigns (Uniquely KC) and signature events (Annual Benefit Gala, Starry Night, Movie Nights).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Broadway Experience (AdventHealth Broadway Series) Live touring Broadway musical productions presented during the summer season at Starlight's outdoor amphitheatre; ticketed live entertainment for individual patrons, families, and groups.
- Concert Experience (Capitol Federal Concert Series) Live popular music concerts featuring nationally known artists and bands performing at the outdoor venue; ticketed live entertainment for individual patrons and groups.
- Venue Rentals / Event Services Private event hosting services including rental of outdoor amphitheatre spaces, indoor Cohen Community Stage House, production capabilities, and catering options for corporate events, weddings, and community gatherings.
- Ticket Services (Season Tickets & Group Tickets) Online, phone, and in-person ticket purchasing services for Broadway shows, concerts, and special events, including season ticket subscription packages for the Broadway Series and dedicated group sales for bulk purchases.
- Movie Nights Outdoor summer movie screenings under the stars, offering family-friendly entertainment at reduced ticket prices at the venue.
- Student Performances (Performances for Young Audiences) Free field trip performances for local K-12 students featuring international, award-winning theatre companies, held in the climate-controlled Cohen Community Stage House.
- Tech Theatre Training Program Nine-month technical theatre training program for high school students teaching lighting, costuming, scenic design, audio, and stage management skills; partners include I.A.T.S.E., The Arts Asylum, A to Z Theatrical, and New Theatre & Restaurant.
- Blue Star Awards Program Annual high school musical theatre awards program recognizing achievement and excellence among Kansas City area students; serves 5,000+ participants annually and feeds winners into the national Jimmy Awards.
- Arts Bridge Program Community space rental program allowing Kansas City-area arts organizations and nonprofits to host free events, performances, and workshops at the Starlight venue.
- Just Imagine Program Traveling interactive theatre program reaching hundreds of children annually at schools, community centers, and nonprofits across Kansas City.
- Community Tickets Program Donation of complimentary tickets to thousands of community members each season to reduce barriers to attending live performances.
- Vincent Legacy Scholarship Scholarship program awarding $2,500 to BIPOC middle school students for professional training in the performing arts, established in 2006 with support from Greg and Rebecca Reid.
- Raise Our Voices Performance Series Performance series amplifying social awareness by providing opportunities for artists from diverse backgrounds to share their perspectives through live performance.
- Bob Rohlf Internship Program Full-time paid summer internship program across multiple departments for college students supporting the next generation of arts professionals; established in 2021.
- KC Starlight Mobile App Mobile app developed with FanThreeSixty providing seamless ticket purchasing, digital wallet access, and connected show-night experience for patrons.
Quantifiable outcome
- 320,000+ patrons attend annual Broadway and concert productions
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Starlite Theatre
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Starlite Theatre technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Starlite Theatre partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
21 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and supporting.
- AdventHealthflagshipPresenting sponsor of AdventHealth Broadway Series at Starlight, supporting major theatrical productions and contributing to community access programs.
- Capitol FederalflagshipPresenting sponsor of Capitol Federal Concert Series, supporting popular music performances at the venue.
- PepsicoreBeverage sponsor providing products for concessions and dining experiences at Starlight events.
- AARP Kansas CitycoreCommunity partner offering membership benefits and programming for senior audiences attending Starlight events.
- Southwest AirlinescoreGenerous sponsor providing transportation for two Blue Star Awards winners to travel to New York City for Jimmy Awards competition.
- Jeannette & Jerome Cohen Philanthropic FundcoreJewish Community Foundation fund supporting Jimmy Awards participation and various community engagement programs at Starlight.
- FanThreeSixtycoreKansas City-based technology company partnered with Starlight to develop the new KC Starlight mobile app for ticketing and event access.
- International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (I.A.T.S.E.)coreLabor union partnering with Tech Theatre Training program to expose high school students to career paths in technical theatre disciplines.
- The Arts AsylumsupportingKansas City arts organization partner providing hands-on training opportunities for Tech Theatre Training participants.
- A to Z TheatricalsupportingTheatrical supplier partner offering training exposure for Tech Theatre Training program students.
- New Theatre & RestaurantsupportingPartner arts organization providing site visits and professional exposure for Tech Theatre Training participants.
- Community Builders of Kansas CitycoreNonprofit partner utilizing Arts Bridge program for community building activities at Starlight venue.
- Kansas City Friends of Alvin AileycoreDance organization partner hosting free performances and cultural programming through Arts Bridge initiative.
- LINC (Local Investment Commission)coreCommunity nonprofit partner utilizing Arts Bridge for neighborhood engagement and programming.
- UMKC Center for NeighborhoodscoreUniversity partner hosting annual celebration nights and community connection events through Arts Bridge program.
- Variety KCcoreCharitable organization partner hosting inclusive family events like Variety KC Family Sweetheart Dance through Arts Bridge.
- Theatre LeaguecoreProducing partner supporting student performance series and touring productions at Starlight.
- Children's MercycoreHealthcare partner supporting student performances and young audience programming at Starlight.
- PNCsupportingFinancial services sponsor supporting student performances and educational programming.
- Stepp & RothwellflagshipPresenting sponsor of Starry Night 2026, contributing to Bob Rohlf Internship program fundraising.
- JanssenflagshipCo-presenting sponsor of Starry Night 2026 supporting internship program.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Starlite Theatre competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Blossom Music Center: Blossom Music Center is an outdoor amphitheatre near Cleveland operated by the Cleveland Orchestra, presenting summer concerts and touring acts. Comparable as a regional outdoor venue pairing classical/orchestra programming with popular concerts and education.
- Hollywood Bowl: The Hollywood Bowl is a large-capacity (17,500) outdoor amphitheatre presenting summer concerts and Broadway-style programming. It is a direct comparable on venue type, programming mix, and operating model, though in a much larger metro with broader touring acts.
- Ravinia Festival: Ravinia is a nonprofit outdoor concert and pavilion venue north of Chicago combining summer concerts, family programming, and community education. It is directly comparable as a regional outdoor amphitheatre with strong sponsor and donor support and a community engagement mission.
- The Muny: The Muny in St. Louis is the closest direct peer: an outdoor amphitheatre presenting Broadway musicals and concerts on a similar seasonal model, with comparable education/outreach programming and historic legacy (founded 1919). Both are nonprofit, summer-anchored outdoor musical theatre venues serving Midwestern metros.
- Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts: Wolf Trap operates the Filene Center, a 7,000-seat outdoor amphitheatre plus indoor venue, presenting concerts, Broadway, and family programming with extensive education programs. Directly comparable on venue type, mixed indoor/outdoor operation, and nonprofit mission.
- Tanglewood / Boston Symphony Orchestra: Tanglewood is the BSO's summer outdoor venue with a large shed and lawn seating, offering classical and popular concerts plus education. Comparable as a heritage outdoor performing arts venue with multi-stream nonprofit funding and education focus.
- Paper Mill Playhouse: Paper Mill Playhouse is a regional nonprofit theatre presenting Broadway musicals, concerts, and extensive education programs (similar to Blue Star Awards). Comparable as a nonprofit presenting house with strong education mission and Broadway touring model, though indoor.
Regional players
- Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts: The Kauffman Center is Kansas City's primary indoor performing arts venue (opera, symphony, ballet, Broadway touring), located in the same metro as Starlight. Regional peer with overlapping Broadway programming and donor base, but operates indoors with a different venue model.
Others
- Theatre League: Theatre League is the producing partner that books touring Broadway productions at Starlight and other Midwestern venues. Included as an ecosystem participant / partner that directly influences Starlight's content pipeline rather than a direct competitor.
Broad incumbents
- Fox Theatre (Detroit / Atlanta / St. Louis): The Fox Theatre chain operates large historic theatres presenting Broadway touring productions, concerts, and community programming. Broader incumbent in the live entertainment space with overlapping programming (Broadway series, sponsorships) but operating indoor historic theatres.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Starlite Theatre social profiles
Digital presenceStarlite Theatre financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Starlite Theatre leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Starlite Theatre funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Starlite Theatre M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Starlite Theatre
What does Starlite Theatre do?
Starlite Theatre (Starlight Theatre Association of Kansas City, Inc.) operates the oldest and largest continuously operating outdoor theatre in the country, presenting a summer season of Broadway musicals and popular concerts in an 8,000+-seat open-air amphitheatre in Swope Park, Kansas City. The organization supplements ticketed entertainment with a 464-seat climate-controlled indoor venue, community engagement and arts education programs, venue rental services for private events, and donor-supported free student performances and outreach initiatives.
Is Starlite Theatre a public or private company?
Starlite Theatre is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Starlite Theatre founded?
Starlite Theatre was founded in 1950. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Starlite Theatre based?
Starlite Theatre is headquartered in Kansas City, United States, in the North America region.
How does Starlite Theatre make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Ticket Sales are the primary driver. The others are venue Rentals, donations and Fundraising and corporate Sponsorships.
Who are Starlite Theatre's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Blossom Music Center, Hollywood Bowl, Ravinia Festival, The Muny, Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, Tanglewood / Boston Symphony Orchestra and Paper Mill Playhouse. Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts is listed as a regional player. Theatre League is listed as an others. Fox Theatre (Detroit / Atlanta / St. Louis) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Starlite Theatre have an API?
No public API is recorded for Starlite Theatre.
What industry is Starlite Theatre in?
Starlite Theatre's product category is Live Performing Arts Venue. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGALAG, Outdoor Amphitheater & Open-Air Venue Operations, with a secondary code of MPAGALAB, Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses). Its NAICS code is 71131 and its SIC code is 7990.