Rodeo Cinema

What Rodeo Cinema does

Rodeo Cinema Foundation is a 501(c)-style nonprofit operating Oklahoma City's only nonprofit arthouse cinema out of a single historic 1924 venue at 2221 Exchange Avenue in the Stockyards City district. The foundation screens curated independent, foreign, documentary, classic, and locally produced films, hosts four monthly recurring film programs (Echoes & Origins, Norman Film Society, Oklahoma Film Society, and Silent Fridays with live musical accompaniment), and operates the 166-seat venue with stage as a live performance space — including burlesque and jazz programming produced with Black Curtain Collective. The organization attracts 50,000+ visitors per year and runs entirely on volunteer labor with a small paid team led by General Manager Shannon Smith and a Board of Directors chaired by founding member Clark Wiens.

The technology footprint is intentionally minimal: historic cinema infrastructure supplemented by Bi-Polar Ionization Filtration Systems installed under the CinemaSafe COVID-safety program. There is no mobile application, no published API, no AI/ML capability, and no proprietary software beyond standard website-based ticketing at rodeocinema.org. Distribution occurs exclusively through the in-person box office, the website's e-commerce ticketing, email newsletter, and organic social channels (Facebook, Instagram).

The revenue model spans six streams: unit-priced ticket sales (adult/child with $2 member discount), annual individual and corporate memberships (subscription recurring), bespoke corporate sponsorship packages (subscription recurring), one-off venue rentals for private and corporate events, concessions including locally sourced beer and wine, and tax-deductible donations supporting local filmmakers, Oklahoma-made films, and historic preservation. The go-to-market motion is community-led and event-driven, relying on grassroots word-of-mouth, volunteer poster distribution, and sponsorship partnerships with local businesses rather than paid acquisition channels.

Name

Rodeo Cinema

Legal name

Rodeo Cinema Foundation

Website

https://rodeocinema.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Rodeo Cinema Foundation operates Oklahoma City's only nonprofit arthouse cinema from a 1924 historic Stockyards City venue, screening curated indie, foreign, and classic films, hosting live performances, and serving 50,000+ annual visitors through memberships, sponsorships, rentals, and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Arthouse Cinema Services

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Programming, Booking & Repertory Exhibition Services (MPADAKAL), Media Arts & Film/Photography Nonprofits (BPAGAHAJ), Alternative Content Exhibition (Live Broadcasts, Concert Films, Sports, Opera) (MPADAKAG)

Keywords

• Arthouse cinema
• Film screenings
• Venue rentals
• Live performances
• Independent films

Headquarters

HQ city

Oklahoma City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from individual film screenings and live performances. Adults and children priced differently, with member discounts available.
2. Memberships: Annual membership program offering $2 off regular admission, free birthday month admission with combo, free popcorn with member ticket purchases, access to member-exclusive events, and discounts on special screenings.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Bespoke corporate sponsor packages tailored to partnership objectives, targeting socially active and culturally aware audience. Over 50,000 annual visitors provide sponsorship value.
4. Venue Rentals: Historic venue available for private parties, corporate events, special screenings, live performances, and presentations. 166-seat capacity with stage venue capabilities.
5. Concessions: Traditional movie theater snacks including popcorn, candy, soft drinks, plus locally sourced beer, soda, and wine.
6. Donations: Tax-deductible donations supporting local filmmakers and artists, screening of Oklahoma-made films, and preservation of the historic venue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Rodeo Cinema Foundation operates a nonprofit arthouse cinema screening independent, foreign, documentary, classic, and local filmmaker films at a historic 1924 venue. The organization runs curated monthly film programs (Echoes & Origins, Norman Film Society, Oklahoma Film Society, Silent Fridays), hosts live performances, and offers venue rentals, memberships, concessions, and accepts donations.

Product overview

Rodeo Cinema Foundation operates Oklahoma's only nonprofit arthouse cinemas as a single unified venue—the historic Rodeo Theatre (est. 1924) in the Stockyards City district. The organization offers a core cinema product featuring diverse film screenings (independent, foreign, documentary, classic, family films) alongside curated film program series (Echoes & Origins, Norman Film Society, Oklahoma Film Society, Silent Fridays). Additional offerings include venue event rentals for private and corporate events, a membership subscription program with perks, live performances at the stage venue, and concessions. The portfolio centers on the single Stockyards location with a 166-seat capacity, emphasizing community-building through film and live entertainment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Rodeo Cinema Film Screenings Diverse film programming including narrative features, documentaries, classics, independent films, foreign films, local filmmaker works, and family films screened at the historic 1924 venue for individual audiences.
• Echoes & Origins Monthly Film Program Monthly film program on the first Friday showcasing contemporary filmmakers alongside classic films that inspired them, featuring local filmmaker shorts and hosted by Elijah Bigler.
• Norman Film Society Monthly Program Curated monthly film series on the second Friday, hosted by Broden Fulton, featuring diverse cinematic selections.
• Oklahoma Film Society Monthly Program Monthly film program on the third Thursday focused on empowering film creation and appreciation in Oklahoma, featuring films meant to intrigue and expand cinematic knowledge.
• Silent Fridays Classic Film Series Monthly silent film series on the last Friday featuring classic films like Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton with live musical accompaniment by Mike Evans, recreating the early cinema experience.
• Event Rentals (Venue Rental Service) Venue rental service for private parties, corporate events, special screenings, and live performances at the historic Rodeo Theatre with 166-seat capacity and stage venue.
• Annual Memberships Subscription membership program offering $2 off regular admission, free birthday month admission with Cowhand Combo, free popcorn with member tickets, access to exclusive member events, and discounts on special screenings.
• Live Performances Live entertainment events including music, burlesque shows, and interactive performances at the Rodeo Cinema stage venue, such as Terre Rouge Cabaret featuring live jazz and vintage burlesque.
• Concessions Traditional movie theatre snacks including popcorn, candy, and soft drinks, plus locally sourced beer, soda, and wine.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 50,000 annual visitors
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CinemaSafe ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRodeo Cinema is a CinemaSafe Program Partner, following Covid safety protocols including advanced bi-polar ionization filtration systems, regular seat cleaning, and sterilization. All theaters maintain CinemaSafe standards.
• Black Curtain CollectiveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecial events partner hosting performances at Rodeo Cinema. Black Curtain Collective produces live entertainment events featured at the venue.
• Mike EvanscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLive music accompanist for Silent Fridays programming, providing musical accompaniment for classic silent films. Monthly recurring performances on the last Friday of each month.
• Elijah BiglercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost for Echoes & Origins monthly film program featuring local filmmaker shorts alongside classic films that inspired them. First Friday of each month programming.
• Broden FultoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCurator and host of Norman Film Society monthly programming on second Fridays. Provides film selection and hosting for this recurring event series.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Metrograph: Independent arthouse cinema and film culture venue in New York City's Lower East Side combining theatrical exhibition, a restaurant/bar, and curated repertory programming. Comparable single-venue arthouse positioning with emphasis on programming identity.
• Coolidge Corner Theatre: Nonprofit independent cinema in Brookline, Massachusetts, with a mission-driven focus on repertory, independent, and educational programming. Directly comparable as a nonprofit arthouse with member programs, venue rentals, and educational initiatives.
• The Brattle Theatre: Independent nonprofit cinema in Cambridge, Massachusetts, specializing in classic, cult, independent, and foreign films with curated repertory programming. Comparable nonprofit arthouse model with educational and cultural mission.
• AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center: Nonprofit cultural cinema operated by the American Film Institute in Silver Spring, Maryland. Comparable as a nonprofit arthouse venue combining film exhibition with cultural programming and event rentals.
• Circle Cinema: Nonprofit arthouse cinema in Tulsa, Oklahoma, founded by Clark Wiens—the same founder of Rodeo Cinema Foundation. Most directly comparable peer given shared founder DNA, nonprofit structure, and Oklahoma regional focus.
• Film Forum: Independent nonprofit arthouse cinema in New York City screening independent, foreign, and classic films with curated programming. Comparable as a nonprofit single-location arthouse reliant on memberships, donations, and ticketing.
• Siskel Film Center: Nonprofit cinematheque in Chicago affiliated with the School of the Art Institute, screening independent, international, and repertory films. Directly comparable nonprofit arthouse model with membership and educational programming.

Broad incumbents

• Alamo Drafthouse Cinema: For-profit dine-in cinema chain with curated repertory and indie programming alongside mainstream releases. Comparable in combining film exhibition with food/beverage and event programming at much larger scale.
• Landmark Theatres: Largest U.S. arthouse cinema chain operating dozens of art-house theaters nationwide. Comparable as an arthouse exhibition operator but for-profit and at significantly larger scale than Rodeo.
• Angelika Film Center: For-profit arthouse cinema chain with locations in major U.S. cities focusing on independent and foreign films. Comparable arthouse product offering but commercial (not nonprofit) and concentrated in larger markets.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/RodeoCinema
• Instagraminstagram.com/rodeocinema
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rodeo-cinema

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Rodeo Cinema