What The Bushwick Starr does

The Bushwick Starr is a Brooklyn-based nonprofit theater founded in 2007 that develops and presents new performance works while running education and community programs. Its core artistic output consists of three mainstage premieres per season at its single venue at 419 Eldert Street, complemented by the free Starr Reading Series for new-play development and the free Summers at the Starr community programming series each August. Education and community programming spans Big Green Theater (eco-playwriting for public elementary school students in Bushwick and Ridgewood), Creating Performance (teen theater-making run in partnership with social-justice organization El Puente since 2016), and Senior Storytelling (theater and writing for older adults, created in 2018). The 2026-2027 season is set to premiere works by Layla Khoshnoudi, Amando Houser with Kedian Keohan, and Tei Blow.

The organization's technology footprint is minimal — a Squarespace-hosted website (thebushwickstarr.org) and the OVATIONTIX third-party ticketing platform — and there is no proprietary software, app, or AI capability disclosed. Revenue is generated through a mix of individual donations, foundation grants (including The Revada Foundation of the Logan Family), government grants (NYC Department of Cultural Affairs via the SU-CASA program, NYC Department for the Aging, NYC Mayor's Office for Media and Entertainment, and NYC Council discretionary support), ticketed mainstage performances, an annual Starr Gala fundraiser, and sliding-scale fees ($300/week) for a children's summer theater camp. Most programming, including Summers at the Starr and the Starr Reading Series, is free and open to the community. The organization operates with 1-10 staff under a Board of Trustees chaired by Michael Contini, with actor Keanu Reeves among its members, and is governed as an independent New York nonprofit.

Name

The Bushwick Starr

Legal name

The Bushwick Starr

Website

https://thebushwickstarr.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Bushwick Starr is a Brooklyn-based nonprofit theater founded in 2007 that develops and premieres bold new performance works for adult audiences and runs free education programs for local elementary students, teens, and seniors in Bushwick and Ridgewood.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts / Theater

akta.pro primary industry

Fringe & Experimental Performing Arts (MPAGABAI)

Keywords

• Experimental theater productions
• New play development
• Arts education programs
• Community theater programming
• Nonprofit performing arts

Headquarters

HQ city

Brooklyn

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Charitable contributions from individuals, foundations, and organizations supporting the arts
2. Ticket Sales: Revenue from mainstage performances and theater productions
3. Annual Gala: Special fundraising event with ticket sales and sponsorships to support education and community programs
4. Government Grants: Funding from NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, NYC Department for the Aging, and NYC Mayor's Office for Media and Entertainment
5. Foundation Support: Grants from organizations like The Revada Foundation of the Logan Family
6. Program Fees: Sliding scale tuition for Summer Theater Camp ($300/week)

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Bushwick Starr is a nonprofit theater that develops and presents bold new theatrical works, producing three mainstage premieres per season alongside free community programming. The organization also runs free education and community programs including eco-playwriting for elementary students, theater-making for teens in partnership with El Puente, and storytelling/theater programs for older adults in Bushwick and Ridgewood.

Product overview

The Bushwick Starr is an award-winning nonprofit theater in Brooklyn offering a portfolio of theatrical programs. Its core offerings include Mainstage Productions (three bold premieres per season featuring new works by playwrights), the Starr Reading Series for new play development, and the free Summers at the Starr community programming series. The organization extends its impact through Education Programs including Big Green Theater (eco-playwriting for elementary students), Creating Performance (theater-making for teens in partnership with El Puente), and Senior Storytelling (theater for older adults). The annual Starr Gala raises funds for these community initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Summers at the Starr: Free, community-rooted programming throughout August featuring performances, music, markets, and family-friendly activities
• Starr Reading Series
• Big Green Theater
• Creating Performance
• Senior Storytelling
• Starr Gala

Products and services

• Mainstage Productions Professional theatrical performances premiering new works by emerging and established playwrights. Features three bold premieres per season including the 2026-2027 season works by Layla Khoshnoudi, Amando Houser + Kedian Keohan, and Tei Blow. For theater audiences and the Bushwick/Ridgewood community.
• Summers at the Starr Free, community-rooted programming throughout August featuring performances, music, workshops, markets, and community events. All events are free and open to all. For the Bushwick neighborhood and broader Brooklyn community.
• Starr Reading Series Free, ongoing program inviting audiences into the development of new work, featuring readings from some of the city's most exciting playwrights. For theater enthusiasts and playwrights developing new work.
• Big Green Theater Eco-playwriting program for public elementary school students in Bushwick and Ridgewood. Brings young people's ideas about climate, justice, and community to the stage. For elementary school students.
• Creating Performance After-school theater-making program for local teens and young adults, run in partnership with El Puente. Teaches acting, writing, design, and technical theater skills. Includes 5-week summer workshops and 8-week winter courses. For teens and young adults in Bushwick.
• Senior Storytelling Free theater and writing program for older adults in Bushwick and Ridgewood. Uses storytelling, theater games, movement, writing, and conversation to build intergenerational connection. For older adults.
• Starr Gala Annual fundraising gala event celebrating the theater's Education and Community programs. Features cosmic disco/glam rock themed celebration. For donors and supporters of the theater.
• Summer Theater Camp A dynamic, weeklong experience for kids ages 8-14 to explore theater. Weekly tuition starts at $300 on a sliding scale. For children and their families.

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, featured and minor.

• El PuentecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Partnership with social justice organization El Puente for the Creating Performance teen theater program. Students participate in 5-week workshops in Summer and 8-week courses in Winter at El Puente's Bushwick Leadership Center. The partnership began in 2016.
• NYC Mayor's Office for Media and Entertainment (MOME)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner providing funding support for the Summers at the Starr free community programming series in August.
• NYC Department of Cultural AffairsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner supporting Senior Storytelling program through the SU-CASA Program.
• NYC Department for the AgingmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner supporting Senior Storytelling program in partnership with NYC Council.
• NYC Council (Councilmembers Jennifer Gutierrez and Sandy Nurse)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerElected officials providing support for Senior Storytelling program.
• ¡Oye! GroupfeaturedStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in association for production of 'I'm Not Even Half' (October 2026 mainstage production).
• Rule of ThirdsminorOthersEvent venue hosting the 2026 Starr Gala on October 26, 2026 at 171 Banker Street Brooklyn.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Flea Theater: Nonprofit Off-Off-Broadway theater in TriBeCa known for developing bold, experimental new work with a resident company of young artists; closely mirrors the Bushwick Starr's incubator role in NYC's experimental theater ecosystem.
• Clubbed Thumb: Nonprofit NYC theater company that commissions, develops, and produces bold new American plays; mirrors Bushwick Starr's experimental new-work development and education/community programming model.
• Dixon Place: Nonprofit performance venue on the Lower East Side presenting new works across theater, dance, and performance art; comparable as a small NYC platform for emerging experimental artists and new work development.
• Soho Rep: Nonprofit NYC theater dedicated to ambitious new work and artists at early stages of their careers; directly comparable as a small, mission-driven Off-Off-Broadway venue producing experimental work.
• The Tank: Nonprofit NYC theater and performance space supporting emerging artists and experimental work on a low-budget model; directly comparable in mission, scale, and experimental-theater focus.
• Theater for the New City: Long-running nonprofit Off-Off-Broadway venue in the East Village producing experimental work alongside community programming; directly comparable in combining experimental theater with free community-based events.
• Target Margin Theater: Brooklyn-based experimental theater company developing and producing bold, boundary-pushing new work; geographically and artistically aligned with the Bushwick Starr's experimental Brooklyn focus.
• HERE Arts Center: Long-running nonprofit Off-Off-Broadway venue in SoHo developing new hybrid performance works; directly comparable as a small-scale NYC incubator for experimental theater and multi-disciplinary programming.
• Ma-Yi Theater Company: Nonprofit NYC company producing new Asian American work and developing early-career playwrights; mirrors the Bushwick Starr's incubator-for-emerging-playwrights role at a similar small-NYC scale.

Broad incumbents

• New York Theatre Workshop: Established Off-Broadway nonprofit theater in the East Village known for developing new work by adventurous artists (e.g., Rent, Once); comparable mission but operates at a larger scale and broader institutional footprint than the Bushwick Starr.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/TheBushwickStarr
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-bushwick-starr

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 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 The Bushwick Starr