The Little Theatre

What The Little Theatre does

The Little Theatre, legally The Little Theatre Film Society Inc., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit cinema and cultural center headquartered at 240 East Ave, Rochester, NY. The organization operates five screening rooms and The Little Café, presenting American independent, foreign, and art-house film alongside live music, visual art exhibitions in the cafe, and curated film series (LGBTQ+ Pride, Black Cinema Series, High Falls Women in Film, The Wachowskis, One Take Documentary, National Theatre Live broadcasts, and America 250 programming). The theatre retains 35mm film projection capability alongside digital projection and runs recurring specialty formats including Open Caption screenings (Thursday evenings and first-Sunday matinees), sensory-friendly screenings, and 35mm retrospectives.

The Little's go-to-market is direct-to-consumer: tickets are sold via the on-site box office and the Easy-Ware online ticketing platform (online sales close 30 minutes before showtime), with group sales and venue rentals handled through a dedicated business office at least 21 days in advance. It maintains a formal, long-term affiliation with WXXI Public Broadcasting and community co-presentation partnerships with the Rochester Association of Black Journalists, University of Rochester's On Film program, Strong National Museum of Play, and Planned Parenthood of Central and Western NY. Marketing spans the website, weekly Constant Contact email newsletter, the "Movies and a Microphone" podcast on Soundcloud and YouTube, and active Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Letterboxd channels.

Revenue is generated across five streams: (1) transaction-fee ticket sales priced $6–$15 depending on screening type, customer segment (senior, student, military, first responder), and membership status, with a $9 Discount Monday tier and premium 35mm pricing up to $14; (2) recurring membership dues that entitle members to discounted tickets and free passes (discounts expanded to all days effective October 1, 2024); (3) one-time venue and cafe rentals at $550–$985+ for private events, weddings, corporate meetings, school screenings, and film festivals, accommodating 2–270+ guests; (4) concessions and cafe sales including catering; and (5) tax-deductible donations plus grants from the New York State Council on the Arts and Monroe County.

Name

The Little Theatre

Legal name

The Little Theatre Film Society Inc.

Website

https://thelittle.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1929

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Little Theatre is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit cinema and cultural center in Rochester, NY, operating five theaters that screen American independent, foreign, and art-house films alongside live music, art exhibits, and private event rentals, with a formal affiliation to WXXI Public Broadcasting and diversified revenue from tickets, memberships, rentals, concessions, and government arts grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent Cinema / Cultural Arts Venue

NAICS

Motion Picture Theaters (except Drive-Ins) (512131), Motion Picture and Video Exhibition (51213), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830)

akta.pro primary industry

Screening Rooms & Cinematheques (Nonprofit/Institutional) (MPADAKAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Alternative Content Exhibition (Live Broadcasts, Concert Films, Sports, Opera) (MPADAKAG), Cinema Concessions & On-site F&B Operations (MPADAKAN), Nightclub & Small Live Venue Operations (Clubs, Bars with Stages) (MPAGALAF)

Keywords

• Independent film screenings
• Art house cinema
• Cultural venue rentals
• Community arts programming
• Film series events

Headquarters

HQ city

Rochester

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: General admission and member ticket sales for film screenings, special events, and limited-run films across five theaters. Revenue varies by showtime (evening vs matinee), customer type (general, senior, student, military, member), and special event pricing.
2. Membership Dues: Annual membership program providing discounted tickets, free passes, and other benefits. Members receive reduced ticket prices and free passes that can be redeemed at the box office.
3. Venue Rentals: Private event rentals including theatre rentals, seminars, school group screenings, wedding ceremonies, film festivals, birthday parties, and corporate meetings. Rental prices range from $550-$985+ depending on day and time.
4. Concessions and Cafe: Food and beverage sales including popcorn and cafe catering services for events and screenings.
5. Donations and Grants: Tax-deductible donations from members and supporters, plus grants from New York State Council on the Arts and Monroe County. The theatre is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Little Theatre operates a five-auditorium nonprofit cinema in Rochester, NY, screening independent, classic, foreign, and documentary films through curated film series and special events. Beyond film programming, it operates The Little Café (concessions and coffee), The Little Shop (retail), and rents its theatres to outside groups for private, corporate, and community events.

Product overview

The Little Theatre is a physical cinema venue and cultural center in Rochester, NY, affiliated with WXXI Public Broadcasting. The organization operates five theaters showing American independent and foreign films, with The Little Café for food service, live music events, and rotating art exhibits. The venue offers private event rentals for screenings and gatherings, a membership program with discounted tickets, an online shop, and a podcast called 'Movies and a Microphone.' Film programming includes curated series such as LGBTQ+ Pride, Black Cinema Series, High Falls Women in Film, The Wachowskis retrospective, sensory-friendly screenings, and National Theatre Live broadcasts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Film Screenings and Series
• Private Event and Theatre Rentals
• The Little Café
• The Little Shop
• Live Music Events and Concerts Ticketed live music and concert events (including seasonal concerts such as the Hurd Chorale Christmas concert) presented at the cinema.
• Art Exhibits Rotating art exhibits displayed in the cinema's public spaces for patrons and visitors to view alongside screenings and events.
• Membership Program Paid membership subscription program providing members with benefits such as member pricing on tickets and other perks, supporting the cinema's nonprofit operations.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• WXXI Public BroadcastingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormal, long-term affiliation between WXXI and The Little Theatre. The combined organization enhances the cultural life of the community and strengthens both institutions by pooling resources and experience in key mission areas. WXXI is the essential public media resource for the Greater Rochester area.
• Hart Hearing CenterscoreTechnology or IntegrationHart Hearing Centers provided support for installing Hearing Loop Systems in all five theatres, enabling telecoil-equipped hearing aids to receive audio directly.
• AiracoreTechnology or IntegrationAira Access Partner providing free on-demand sign language interpreting and visual interpreting services 24/7/365 for Deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors.
• Rochester Association of Black Journalists (RABJ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presenter of the Black Cinema Series, screening both scripted and non-fiction films about the Black experience with emphasis on independent filmmakers.
• On Film (University of Rochester)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerScreening partner for special events, co-hosting the Lizzie Borden double feature with filmmaker Q&A through the Graduate Program in Visual and Cultural Studies.
• Animatus StudiominorGTM or Marketing PartnerRochester-based animation studio partner, mentioned in connection with 'My Love Affair with Marriage' screening. Animatus has operated in Rochester since 1989.
• KultureCityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSensory-inclusive venue certification program providing sensory bags and weighted lap pads for patrons with sensory needs.
• New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA)coreOthersMajor funding support from NYSCA with support from the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
• Monroe County, NYminorOthersArts grant funding from Monroe County, State of NY, Office of the County Executive.
• Strong National Museum of PlayminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner for Barbie screening discussion, providing curatorial expertise from the museum's doll and toy collection.
• Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New YorkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner for 'Never Rarely Sometimes Always' screening, providing health resources and education.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• IFC Center: Independent film exhibition venue in Greenwich Village, NYC, focusing on curated independent, documentary, and repertory programming — closely comparable niche cinema model.
• American Cinematheque: Nonprofit organization operating the Aero and Egyptian Theatres in Los Angeles with curated independent, repertory, and special event programming — directly comparable nonprofit exhibition operator.
• Coolidge Corner Theatre: Nonprofit art-house cinema in Brookline, MA operating multiple screens with curated independent programming, membership model, and educational programming — direct comparable nonprofit community cinema.
• Brattle Theatre: Nonprofit repertory cinema in Cambridge, MA presenting curated independent, classic, and foreign films; closely comparable single-venue nonprofit exhibition model.
• Ragtag Cinema: Nonprofit independent film theater in Columbia, MO showing first-run independent, foreign, and documentary films with cafe and special events; comparable small-city nonprofit art-house cinema.
• The Loft Cinema: Nonprofit art-house cinema in Tucson, AZ with curated independent programming, membership program, and community partnerships — comparable nonprofit community cinema with venue rentals.
• Angelika Film Center: Art-house cinema chain showing independent, foreign, and specialty films to urban audiences; directly comparable curated programming model and exhibition-only focus.
• Gene Siskel Film Center: Nonprofit cinema venue in Chicago affiliated with the School of the Art Institute, presenting independent, international, and repertory films; direct comparable nonprofit art-house cinema.

Broad incumbents

• Landmark Theatres: Largest U.S. art-house cinema chain operating across multiple cities; broader incumbent with overlapping independent/foreign film programming but for-profit and multi-venue footprint.
• Alamo Drafthouse Cinema: For-profit cinema chain with curated programming and food/beverage service; broader incumbent whose dinner-and-a-movie model overlaps with The Little's cafe-plus-exhibition concept.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCpzArN0oLVl6O7jORwYH7yA
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheLittleTheatreROC
• Instagraminstagram.com/thelittletheatre
• Xx.com/TheLittleRoch
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-little-roc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Little Theatre