7 Stages
7 Stages is a 501(c)(3) non-profit professional theatre in Atlanta's Little Five Points, operating two venues (Mainstage and BackStage) since 1979. It produces social-justice-focused theatrical productions, immersive experiences, Indigenous cultural festivals, youth training, and community dialogue programs funded by ticket sales, rentals, and grants.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1979
- HeadquartersAtlanta, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What 7 Stages does
7 Stages Theatre is a 501(c)(3) non-profit professional theatre company founded in 1979 by Del Hamilton and Faye Allen, headquartered at 1105 Euclid Ave NE in Atlanta's Little Five Points neighborhood. The organization operates two performance venues - a Mainstage Theatre with 170-200+ stadium-style seats and a BackStage black-box theatre - housed in a 1940s-era former Storey movie theatre that the company purchased in 1996 following a $1.4M capital campaign. The core product portfolio consists of Mainstage and BackStage productions presenting local, national, and international work centered on social, political, and spiritual themes, supplemented by an annual Indigenous-celebration festival (First Voices), immersive self-led experiences (Curious Sensory Encounters), new-play development (Home Brew Series), youth training (Youth Creates, 20+ years old), in-school residencies (Arts Fusion), community dialogue (Art of Activism), resource events (Service Saturdays), and paid internships/apprenticeships. The company also runs a year-round venue rental program serving other Atlanta arts organizations and touring productions at community-accessible rates.
The business model blends earned revenue (ticket sales, venue rentals, co-productions) with contributed revenue from individual donors and a diversified portfolio of public and private grants - including the National Endowment for the Arts, Georgia Council for the Arts, Fox Theatre Institute, Fulton County Board of Commissioners, City of Atlanta Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs, The Woodruff Foundation, and the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta. Pricing is intentionally accessible: standard tickets include a $1 Indigenous Land Use Fee donated annually to Indigenous organizations, while many community programs are free or pay-what-you-choose. The company's go-to-market is event-driven, relying on a mix of direct box-office and online (Eventbrite, 7stages.org) ticket sales, social media (Instagram @7stagesatl, Twitter), an email newsletter, co-marketing with neighborhood and festival partners, and earned local press. Customer segments span general theatre audiences, youth and emerging artists, local arts organizations, and Indigenous communities (particularly Muscogee/Creek and Lumbee). The company has 11-50 employees and has invested over $1M in facility improvements through an Asset Restoration Campaign, supported by ongoing LED lighting and HVAC modernization.
7 Stages firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- 7 Stages
- Legal name
- 7 Stages Theatre
- Website
- https://7stages.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1979
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- 7 Stages is a 501(c)(3) non-profit professional theatre in Atlanta's Little Five Points, operating two venues (Mainstage and BackStage) since 1979. It produces social-justice-focused theatrical productions, immersive experiences, Indigenous cultural festivals, youth training, and community dialogue programs funded by ticket sales, rentals, and grants.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
7 Stages industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Live Theatre and Performing Arts
- NAICS
- Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Performing Arts Companies (7111), Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Regional & Repertory Theatre Companies (MPAGABAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM), Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB), Theatre Education, Training & Conservatories (MPAGABAN)
Keywords
Where 7 Stages is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Atlanta
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
7 Stages business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Ticket Sales: Revenue from admission to theatrical productions, performances, and events at Mainstage and BackStage venues. Includes rental productions and special presentations.
- Venue Rentals: Theatre rental program offering two performance venues with stadium-style seating available year-round to local community and touring productions at comparatively low costs
- Donations and Grants: Support from individual donors, foundations, and government arts agencies including Fulton County Board of Commissioners, City of Atlanta Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs, and Georgia Council for the Arts
- Indigenous Land Use Fee: For each ticket sold, a $1 per ticket Land Use Fee is included, with proceeds donated to Indigenous organizations annually
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | Pay-as-you-go | Pay-What-You-Choose admission |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Standard ticket pricing with land use fee |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Complimentary community events |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
7 Stages product offering
Product offeringCore offering
7 Stages Theatre is a non-profit professional theatre company that produces, presents, and hosts live theatrical performances, immersive experiences, and culturally focused festivals in its two Atlanta venues. It also runs youth and community education programs and rents its performance spaces to other arts organizations.
Product overview
7 Stages is a professional, non-profit theatre company offering a portfolio of theatrical productions, educational programs, and venue rental services. The core products include Mainstage and BackStage Theatre productions featuring local, national, and international emerging artwork of social, political, and spiritual importance. Supporting programs include Youth Creates (summer training for teenagers), Home Brew Series (platform for works in development), Service Saturdays (community resource events), Art of Activism (dialogue series), Arts Fusion (in-school residencies), and Internships/Apprenticeships. Special offerings include the annual First Voices Festival celebrating Indigenous cultures and the immersive Curious Sensory Encounters experience. The company also operates a Theatre Rental Program making their two venues available to the community.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Mainstage Productions Professional theatrical performances presented on the Mainstage Theatre featuring local, national, and international emerging artwork of social, political, and spiritual importance. Targeted at general Atlanta audiences and the broader community.
- BackStage Theatre Secondary performance venue with stadium-style seating used for productions, rentals, and more intimate theatrical experiences.
- Youth Creates Summer theatre training program for teenagers providing experiential learning and performance opportunities. Students collaborate through playwriting, design, and performance to create an original production. Includes an international exchange component with the Dutch KASSETT music theatre collective.
- Home Brew Series Platform that provides resources and production opportunities for new and emerging playwrights developing works in progress.
- Service Saturdays Complimentary community events providing vital resources such as food, clothing, and personal protective equipment, bringing together local community-driven organizations with audiences.
- Art of Activism Community dialogue series convening experts, artists, and patrons for conversations on social justice, othering, and intolerance, often tied to specific productions.
- Arts Fusion (In-School Residencies) Co-teaching experiences in which professional artists and classroom teachers work together to bring artistic practice into education, tailored to middle schools, high schools, and universities.
- Internships and Apprenticeships Training programs for emerging artists covering administrative, production, and artistic aspects of theatre, including short-term internships and longer-term paid apprenticeships with stipends.
- First Voices Festival Annual celebration of Indigenous cultures produced in collaboration with Turtle Island Trading, Zintkala Zi PowWow, and other partners, featuring Powwow, storytelling, film screenings, and cultural programming.
- Curious Sensory Encounters Ever-changing self-led immersive journey exploring artistic themes through numerous performances and installations throughout the theatre, featuring multiple artistic disciplines with pay-what-you-choose admission.
- Theatre Rental Program Two performance venues with stadium-style seating available year-round for rental to local community and touring productions at community-accessible rates.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over $1 million invested in facility improvements resulting in significant energy savings
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use 7 Stages
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
7 Stages technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
7 Stages partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- LifeSouth Community Blood CentersminorBlood drive partner for Service Saturdays, providing complimentary health resources alongside theatrical performances and community programming.
- New Georgia ProjectminorCivic engagement partner for Service Saturdays, providing voter registration and community resources at theatre-hosted community events.
- Fulton County Board of HealthminorPublic health resource partner for Service Saturdays, providing health information and resources to community members.
- Wild CumberlandminorPartnered on Art of Activism: Stewards of the Wild event, curating immersive experience bringing together scientists, artists, and community members.
- Hands In MotionminorASL interpretation provider for Curious Sensory Encounters and other performances, ensuring accessibility for deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences.
- Hush Harbor LabcoreDevelopment partner for 'Eunice in Paris' production. Co-founded by Amina S. McIntyre, Hush Harbor Lab develops works exploring themes of mental health, history, and identity.
- Sean Dorsey DancecoreSan Francisco-based transgender choreographer returned to 7 Stages with Atlanta premiere of 'The Lost Art of Dreaming' - a powerful work featuring queer, trans and gender-non-conforming dancers.
- Georgia Center for the BookminorCollaborated on 'Poetry as Protest' event inspired by Ilya Kaminsky's Deaf Republic, hosted at Decatur Library with performances by local poets.
- Turtle Island TradingcorePartner in First Voices Festival, collaborating on Indigenous cultural celebrations including Powwow events, storytelling, and artisan markets at Little 5 Points venue.
- Zintkala Zi PowWowcoreLed by Tatankala 'Buffalo' Yellowbird, Zintkala Zi PowWow partners with 7 Stages for annual Powwow events celebrating Indigenous cultures and dance traditions.
- Little 5 Points Business AssociationminorCollaborates on First Voices Festival and community events in the Little 5 Points neighborhood, co-promoting cultural events and supporting local arts ecosystem.
- Plaza TheatrecorePartner venue for film screenings as part of First Voices Festival. Donated 170+ seats to 7 Stages renovation. Owned by Christopher Escobar who saved Tara Theatre from destruction. Atlanta's oldest operating and only minority-owned independent cinema.
- Dutch-American Exchange ProgramcoreTen-year collaboration (2012-2022) with Dutch playwright Frank Siera and KASSETT music theatre collective, including Youth Creates and Bootcamp international training exchanges. Frank Siera graduated from Dutch theatre academy in Maastricht.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
7 Stages competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Out Front Theatre Company: Atlanta's LGBTQ-focused non-profit theatre producing works that explore queer and gender-non-conforming experiences, overlapping with 7 Stages' programming and partnership ecosystem (Southern Fried Queer Pride).
- Horizon Theatre Company: Atlanta-based non-profit professional theatre with a comparable mission-driven, social-issue programming focus and similar two-venue model serving intown Atlanta audiences.
- Actor's Express: Intown Atlanta non-profit theatre producing contemporary and provocative work with a similar commitment to bold, issue-driven programming and comparable organizational scale.
- Theatrical Outfit: Atlanta's downtown resident professional theatre producing socially engaged new works and classics, comparable in scale, non-profit structure, and venue-operations model to 7 Stages.
- Synchronicity Theatre: Atlanta-based non-profit theatre producing bold, socially relevant work by women, with comparable funding profile (corporate, foundation, government grants) and audience development approach.
Broad incumbents
- Alliance Theatre: Largest regional theatre in Atlanta with significantly larger operating budget, programming scale, and facility footprint; serves as the dominant incumbent in Atlanta's professional theatre landscape against which smaller non-profits like 7 Stages compete for audience and funding.
- Center for Puppetry Arts: Atlanta-based non-profit performing arts organization with comparable educational programming, family/youth programming, and venue operations, though distinct in artistic discipline.
- Aurora Theatre: Established Gwinnett County-based professional theatre with larger scale, broader commercial programming mix, and educational programming — comparable as a regional professional non-profit theatre competitor in the Atlanta metro.
Emerging players
- La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club: New York-based non-profit dedicated to developing new work and experimental performance with international playwright development programs, sharing 7 Stages' mission-driven, artist-development focus and Home Brew Series model.
- Atlanta Fringe Festival: Festival organizer that rents 7 Stages' BackStage and Mainstage venues for indie productions, making it both a customer (renter) and a partial distribution partner; reflects the broader indie/experimental ecosystem in Atlanta.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
7 Stages social profiles
Digital presence7 Stages financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
7 Stages leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
7 Stages funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
7 Stages 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 7 Stages
What does 7 Stages do?
7 Stages Theatre is a non-profit professional theatre company that produces, presents, and hosts live theatrical performances, immersive experiences, and culturally focused festivals in its two Atlanta venues. It also runs youth and community education programs and rents its performance spaces to other arts organizations.
Is 7 Stages a public or private company?
7 Stages is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was 7 Stages founded?
7 Stages was founded in 1979. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is 7 Stages based?
7 Stages is headquartered in Atlanta, United States, in the North America region.
How does 7 Stages make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Ticket Sales are the primary driver. The others are venue Rentals, donations and Grants and indigenous Land Use Fee.
Who are 7 Stages's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Out Front Theatre Company, Horizon Theatre Company, Actor's Express, Theatrical Outfit and Synchronicity Theatre. Broad incumbents are Alliance Theatre, Center for Puppetry Arts and Aurora Theatre. Emerging players are La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club and Atlanta Fringe Festival.
Does 7 Stages have an API?
No public API is recorded for 7 Stages.
What industry is 7 Stages in?
7 Stages's product category is Live Theatre and Performing Arts. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGABAB, Regional & Repertory Theatre Companies, with a secondary code of MPAGABAM, Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking). Its NAICS code is 711110 and its SIC code is 7900.