SAN DIEGO DANCE THEATER

What SAN DIEGO DANCE THEATER does

San Diego Dance Theater (SDDT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit performing arts organization founded in 1972 by George Willis and headquartered at ARTS DISTRICT Liberty Station in San Diego, California. It operates as both a modern dance company and a dance school, serving four primary customer segments: children ages 2-8 (Creative Movement, Ballet/Tap, Ballet/Jazz, Hip Hop), adults (Contemporary Modern, Horton-based technique, Functional Mobility, Untitled Movement), seniors 55+ (Aging Creatively, Mindful Movement Conditioning), and pre-professional dancers 17+ (Summer Workshop with scholarships up to $10,000). The organization also runs an in-house work-study program providing free classes in exchange for teaching/operations support, with approximately 12 active work-study students.

SDDT generates revenue through four streams: recurring dance class fees (priced at $15–$20 drop-in or $90/month unlimited for adults, and $234–$322 per children's session); performance ticket sales through TicketLeap for events including the Annual Repertory Concert, Summer Workshop Showcase, Trolley Dances, Live Arts Fest, and School Showcase; venue rentals of its owned Light Box Theater (125-seat black-box with Marley floor and full technical infrastructure) and Studio 106; and individual donations/grants processed through Bloomerang. Its proprietary content asset is the trademarked Trolley Dances™, a site-specific performance series presented 25+ years in partnership with the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System that is unique to the region. There is no proprietary technology; the operating stack is Wix-hosted website, TicketLeap for ticketing, Bloomerang for donations, and Google Calendar for venue-rental bookings.

The organization is led by Executive Artistic Director Terry Wilson (MFA, University of Michigan; 35+ years in the field), with a small management team (Operations & Development Director Matthew Armstrong, Education & Outreach Manager Kayla Remo, General Manager Maribel Durazo, Venue Manager Wes Gonzalez, Digital Communications & Content Coordinator Milana Aernova) and five resident company dancers. It pursues a cross-border San Diego–Tijuana programming strategy through co-founded entities (ConnectArte Multidisciplinary Space, Borboleta: Inclusive Art), engages in outreach via Kids on Board (350+ K-12 students annually), Aging Creatively, and Expressive Moving Arts at San Diego Youth Services Storefront, and in 2025 launched its first international cultural-exchange partnership with Mademoiselle Cinema of Tokyo.

Name

SAN DIEGO DANCE THEATER

Legal name

San Diego Dance Theater

Website

https://sandiegodancetheater.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

San Diego Dance Theater is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit modern dance company and school in San Diego, California offering classes, performances, workshops, and community outreach for children, adults, seniors, and pre-professional dancers, anchored by the trademarked Trolley Dances site-specific series.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Dance Education

NAICS

Dance Companies (71112), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Contemporary & Modern Dance (MPAGADAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Dance Education (Ballet, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Cultural Dance) (EDAMAAAH)

Keywords

• Modern dance company
• Dance education
• Performing arts
• Community dance programs
• Dance school

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

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, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Dance Class Fees: Revenue from children's classes, adult classes, Aging Creatively classes, and specialty workshops. Classes are offered on a per-session, drop-in, and monthly subscription basis.
2. Performance Tickets: Revenue from ticketed performances including Annual Repertory Concert, Summer Workshop Showcase, Trolley Dances, Live Arts Fest, and school showcases.
3. Studio and Theater Rentals: Revenue from renting Light Box Theater and Studio 106 to outside groups for performances, classes, and events.
4. Donations and Grants: Nonprofit organization (501(c)(3), EIN# 23-7112940) accepting donations from individuals, with donors keeping the organization going for over 50 years.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

San Diego Dance Theater is a nonprofit modern dance company and school that provides dance education programs (children's classes, adult classes, Aging Creatively classes for seniors), intensive summer and winter workshops, ticketed live performances, and rental of its Light Box Theater and Studio 106 venue. The organization serves individual dancers, audience members, and community groups in the San Diego region through in-person classes, performances, and outreach programs.

Product overview

San Diego Dance Theater is a nonprofit performing arts organization operating as a modern dance company and school. The organization offers a unified portfolio of dance education programs (Children's Program for ages 2-8, Adult Classes, Aging Creatively Classes for 55+), intensive workshops (Summer Workshop and Winter Workshop), performance events (Annual Repertory Concert, School Showcase, Trolley Dances, Live Arts Fest, Emerging Choreographers Showcase & Awards), community outreach programs (senior outreach, foster youth programs, scholarships, K-12 workshops), and venue rentals (Light Box Theater black box performance space and Studio 106 dance studio). The Work Study Program provides scholarships in exchange for teaching assistance. All offerings are tied together through unified ticketing and donation systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Trolley Dances™: A site-specific dance performance created by former Artistic Director Jean Isaacs, presented annually in partnership with San Diego Metropolitan Transit System. Audience members tour on and off the trolley to view original choreography at various sites throughout San Diego.
• Live Arts Fest
• Summer Workshop
• Emerging Choreographers Showcase & Awards (ECSA)
• Kids on Board
• Aging Creatively

Products and services

• Children's Program Dance education program for children ages 2-8, offering Creative Movement, Ballet/Tap, Ballet/Jazz, and Hip Hop classes in a non-competitive, welcoming environment.
• Adult Classes Recreational and professional dance training for adults including Contemporary Modern, Horton-based Technique, Functional Mobility, Mindful Movement Conditioning, Modern, and Untitled Movement classes.
• Aging Creatively Classes Dance and movement classes designed for dancers aged 55 and up, promoting strength, agility, coordination, memory, creativity, balance, mental clarity, and connection.
• Summer Workshop Two-week intensive workshop in July for aspiring professional dancers (ages 17+), offering training with respected teaching artists and culminating in a showcase performance.
• Winter Workshop Three-day mini-series of specialty classes offered in January to keep dancers engaged during the short break in regular Adult and Aging Creatively classes.
• Work Study Program Scholarship program where students assist teachers during weekly classes in exchange for free classes, discounted rentals, and professional support in dance administration, teaching/choreography, operations, or technical support.
• Trolley Dances Annual site-specific performance series in partnership with San Diego MTS where audience members ride the trolley to view original choreography at various locations throughout San Diego.
• Live Arts Fest Multi-night festival curated by Executive Artistic Director Terry Wilson, celebrating and supporting multigenerational dance artists featuring performances from around the US and the world.
• Emerging Choreographers Showcase & Awards Annual competition that awards three prizes (Best Overall Choreography, Best Dancer, and Audience Favorite) to newly emerging dancemakers to bring exposure and support to growing choreographers.
• Annual Repertory Concert Main company performance event featuring the resident company dancers in original choreography and repertoire.
• School Showcase Annual student performances in Spring and Winter where talented students showcase their skills and achievements, featuring Children's Classes, Adult and Aging Creatively Classes, Work Study dancers, and SDDT Company.
• Light Box Theater Rental Rental of a 125-capacity black box theater featuring Marley performance floor, 26 programmable LEDs and 8 conventional pars, HDMI projector, stereo PA, electric console piano, and sprung wooden floor.
• Studio 106 Rental Rental of a 50-capacity dance studio with sprung wood floor, 12-foot ceilings, mirrors on one wall, natural lighting, and pre-installed sound system.

Quantifiable outcome

• Provided $10,000 in scholarships for pre-professional and professional local artists
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

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

• San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership spanning over 25 years for Trolley Dances, an annual site-specific dance event where audience members ride the trolley to view original choreography at various locations. This partnership makes dance accessible to the entire San Diego community by taking art to the people.
• Mademoiselle Cinema of Tokyo, JapanflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural arts bridge partnership. SDDT hosted the Japanese company in San Diego in July 2025, with a consequent tour of SDDT's Resilient Skies II: Bridging Waters in Tokyo in March 2026. Represents international cultural exchange and artistic collaboration.
• San Diego Youth Services Storefront Youth Emergency SheltercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 2022, SDDT has offered movement and wellness classes plus free access to live dance and performance art events for young people ages 12-17 residing in the shelter. Implements somatic healing, body awareness, sound healing, and positive coping skills.
• ConnectArte Multidisciplinary Space (Tijuana, Mexico)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founded by Matthew Armstrong (SDDT Operations & Development Director) with Raúl Navarro and Pamela Macías. Alternative studio/forum offering performances, workshops, and master classes in dance and other art disciplines for the Tijuana, Baja California community.
• Borboleta: Inclusive Art (Tijuana, Mexico)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit social impact program co-founded in 2016 by Matthew Armstrong providing inclusive dance and art experiences including workshops, master classes, and performance opportunities for children and adults with and without disabilities.
• Malashock DanceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMatthew Armstrong worked with Malashock Dance from 2022-2024 as a dancer and choreographer.
• Lux BorealminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMatthew Armstrong worked with Lux Boreal dance company from 2011-2022, including serving as coordinator of International Relations developing professional relationships in the San Diego/Tijuana region.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Malashock Dance: San Diego-based contemporary/modern dance company offering company performances, classes, and community programs. Closest direct peer — both are mid-size San Diego modern dance nonprofits producing original choreography with educational outreach arms.
• City Ballet of San Diego: San Diego-based professional ballet company presenting repertory and offering dance education. Comparable as a San Diego performing dance nonprofit with school programs, performance season, and community classes.
• California Ballet Company: San Diego-based professional ballet company with a school and performance series. Direct peer — same city, similar operating model combining education, performance, and community outreach.
• Lux Boreal: Tijuana-based contemporary dance company with strong U.S./Mexico cross-border ties. Direct peer in regional modern dance ecosystem; Matthew Armstrong (SDDT Ops Director) previously danced and served as international-relations coordinator there.

Broad incumbents

• Mark Morris Dance Group: Major modern dance nonprofit combining company performances with a robust education/community programs division. Broad incumbent — much larger scale than SDDT, but same model of performance-plus-school-plus-community work in modern dance.
• Pilobolus: Internationally touring modern dance company with an educational/outreach arm and performances beyond traditional venues. Broad incumbent — broader scale and reach than SDDT, but structurally comparable as a modern-dance nonprofit creating original choreography and educational programming.
• Smuin Ballet: San Francisco-based contemporary ballet company with school and touring programs. Broader incumbent in the modern/contemporary dance nonprofit space; comparable via school-plus-company model and mix of classics and new choreography.

Regional players

• La Silla Danza: Contemporary dance organization founded and directed by Maribel Durazo (now SDDT's General Manager) in Tijuana. Direct peer in the cross-border modern-dance ecosystem, though based in Mexico rather than competing in San Diego.

Others

• La Jolla Playhouse: Tony Award-winning regional theater in San Diego County producing new and established works. Adjacent — not dance-specific, but a San Diego performing-arts nonprofit of similar structure with school/education programming and rented performance venues.
• ARTS DISTRICT Liberty Station: The San Diego arts-and-culture complex where SDDT operates its headquarters, Light Box Theater, and Studio 106. Adjacent — landlord/host district ecosystem providing shared audience traffic, neighboring tenants, and venue synergy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/sandiegodancetheater
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SanDiegoDanceTheater
• Facebookfacebook.com/sandiego.dancetheater
• Instagraminstagram.com/sandiegodancetheater
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/san-diego-dance-theater

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 SAN DIEGO DANCE THEATER