THE AUDREY HERMAN SPOTLIGHTERS THEATRE, INC.

What THE AUDREY HERMAN SPOTLIGHTERS THEATRE, INC. does

The Audrey Herman Spotlighters Theatre, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community theatre founded in 1962 in Baltimore's Mt. Vernon neighborhood, producing approximately one live theatrical production per month in an intimate 65-100 seat theatre-in-the-round configuration. The organization presents plays and musicals across multiple seasons featuring diverse and challenging programming, with all artistic and operational roles filled on a volunteer, non-Equity basis. Core products include live theatrical productions, tiered ticketing ($16 Thursday discount, $21 member, $24 non-member), concessions, and private theatre buy-out rentals for community and corporate fundraising events.

The theatre's revenue model is multi-stream: ticket sales, tax-deductible donations and monthly sustaining memberships, Executive Producer production sponsorships ($1,500 per mainstage show covering royalty/licensing fees), SPOTS365 day sponsorships ($275/day), and group-rate ticket packages for parties of 10 or more. Technology infrastructure is minimal and entirely third-party: NEON ONE's Arts People platform handles online ticketing and credit-card processing, while marketing relies on the company's website, Facebook, YouTube, and email newsletters. Annual operating expenses exceed $150,000 for the 2025-2026 season, with approximately $275 per day needed from donations after ticket sales and grants. Major institutional funders include the Maryland State Arts Council, T. Rowe Price Charitable, and the William G. Baker Jr. Memorial Fund.

The organization is governed by a Board of Directors with an Associate Board of nine additional members, and operates with a small paid staff supplemented by an extensive volunteer base. Audience and participant segments include Baltimore-metro individual theatre patrons, emerging and experienced local artists seeking non-Equity opportunities, and community/corporate groups utilizing buy-out rentals for fundraising. The theatre is currently fundraising for a $34,000 HVAC system replacement and executing a grant-funded accessibility upgrade to add wheelchair access, both of which are necessary infrastructure investments for continued operations.

Name

THE AUDREY HERMAN SPOTLIGHTERS THEATRE, INC.

Legal name

The Audrey Herman Spotlighters Theatre, Inc.

Website

https://spotlighters.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1962

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Audrey Herman Spotlighters Theatre is a Baltimore-based 501(c)(3) non-profit community theatre, founded in 1962, producing live plays and musicals in an intimate 65-100 seat theatre-in-the-round for local patrons, volunteer artists, and community fundraising groups.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Theatre / Performing Arts

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Performing Arts Companies (7111)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Regional & Repertory Theatre Companies (MPAGABAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Theater, Musicals & Performing Arts (THAJAFAB), Musical Theatre (Non-Broadway/Fringe) (MPAGABAG)

Keywords

• Community theater productions
• Live theatrical performances
• Theater rental services
• Performing arts programming
• Volunteer theater programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Baltimore

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Primary revenue stream from individual performance tickets. Standard pricing at $21 for members and $24 for non-members (Season 63 2025-2026), with Thursday discount night at $16. Group sales available at reduced per-ticket rates for parties of 10 or more.
2. Donations and Membership: Tax-deductible donations at various levels. Minimum $25 donation qualifies for membership with member ticket pricing. Monthly sustaining donor program available. One-time donations fund specific needs (props, supplies, artist stipends, HVAC replacement).
3. Sponsorships and Executive Producer: Executive Producer sponsorship at $1,500 per mainstage show covers royalty and licensing fees. Show sponsorships and day-operations sponsorship (SPOTS365) at $275/day available. The theatre invests over $12,000 annually in royalties and licensing.
4. Theatre Buy-Out and Rentals: Community and corporate groups can buy out the entire theatre for $780 per performance. Organizations receive 65 tickets to sell at their chosen price point (typically $25-$50), enabling fundraising events that can generate $1,300-$3,000 for the purchasing organization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Spotlighters Theatre produces live theatrical performances including plays and musicals in an intimate 65-100 seat theatre-in-the-round setting in Baltimore's Mt. Vernon neighborhood. The organization operates a subscription-style season model with approximately one show per month, supported by ticketing, concessions, theatre rentals, and a volunteer-driven production program. Charitable giving, sponsorships, and community programs sustain operations as a 501(c)(3) non-profit.

Product overview

The Audrey Herman Spotlighters Theatre operates as a single-venue community theatre offering live theatrical productions in an intimate theatre-in-the-round configuration. The organization's core product is its season of theatrical performances (plays and musicals), supported by ticketing services, concessions, volunteer programs, and donation/sponsorship opportunities. The theatre also offers private buy-out rentals for community and corporate events. Productions span diverse genres and are presented across multiple performance times including Friday/Saturday evenings, Sunday matinees, and Thursday discount nights.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Live Theatrical Productions Seasonal schedule of plays and musicals presented live in an intimate theatre-in-the-round configuration. Targeted at Baltimore-area adult patrons and families seeking diverse, bold, and affordable dramatic and comedic works.
• Ticket Sales Online and in-person ticket sales for individual performances via Arts People (NEON ONE) platform and the on-site box office. Includes member pricing, Thursday discount nights, and group rate packages for 10 or more.
• Concessions On-site food and beverage service during performances, including water ($1), snacks ($2), and wine ($5). Cash, debit, credit, and tap-to-pay accepted.
• Donations and Sponsorship Programs Charitable giving programs including one-time donations, monthly sustaining memberships (minimum $25), Executive Producer show sponsorships ($1,500), SPOTS365 day sponsorships ($275/day), and designated fundraising for HVAC replacement and production costs.
• Volunteer and Participation Programs Non-Equity participation opportunities for community members to serve as actors, directors, designers, crew, and ushers. Includes open auditions, production proposal submissions, and a children's outreach program launched in 1974.
• Theatre Rental (Buy-Out) Full theatre buy-out rental at $780 per performance for community groups and corporate organizations. Includes 65 tickets for the host to resell at chosen price points for fundraising, typically generating $1,300-$3,000 for the purchasing organization.

Quantifiable outcome

• Theatre serves Baltimore community with approximately one show per month during active seasons
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Baltimore Playwrights FestivalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual partnership bringing new plays to the Spotlighters stage each summer. The Baltimore Playwrights Festival selects a new play for its first full stage production at Spotlighters, providing exposure for emerging playwrights and unique content for the theatre's season. This collaboration has produced multiple new works since the partnership began.
• NEON ONE (Arts People)coreTechnology or IntegrationThird-party ticketing and payment processing platform. All online ticket sales and recurring donation transactions are processed through the NEON ONE system via the arts-people.com domain. Secure credit card processing with no local storage of payment information.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Single Carrot Theatre: Small Baltimore-based theatre company producing adventurous programming with an ensemble-driven community model. Comparable as a smaller-scale Baltimore theatre producing live performances with similar volunteer/artist engagement.
• Chesapeake Shakespeare Company: Baltimore-based theatre producing Shakespeare and contemporary works with community-focused programming. Directly comparable as a Maryland community theatre producing live theatrical performances for local audiences.
• Baltimore Theatre Project: Long-running Baltimore experimental theatre presenting diverse performances. Comparable as a Baltimore-based not-for-profit theatre producing live performances for the local community with similar scale and mission.
• Everyman Theatre: Community-focused professional theatre in Baltimore producing a season of plays and musicals. Comparable as another Baltimore-based theatre company with subscription model, community programming, and donor-supported operations serving local audiences.
• Center Stage: Baltimore's flagship regional theatre producing bold classic and contemporary work. Directly comparable as a Baltimore-area theatrical producing organization with subscription seasons, donor base, and similar artistic mission.
• Arena Players: Baltimore's longest-running African American community theatre producing live theatrical performances. Directly comparable as a Baltimore community theatre with similar revenue model (tickets, donations, sponsorships) and intimate venue focus.

Broad incumbents

• Hippodrome Theatre: Large Broadway-style venue in Baltimore presenting major touring productions. Comparable as a Baltimore live entertainment presenter serving similar audiences but at significantly larger scale.

Regional players

• Olney Theatre Center: Maryland regional theatre producing plays and musicals in the greater Washington DC/Baltimore corridor. Comparable as a Maryland-based regional theatre with subscription model and community programming.
• Strand Theater Company: Community-based theatrical producing organization in the Baltimore region. Comparable as another Mid-Atlantic community theatre producing live performances with similar non-profit structure.
• Rep Stage: Professional regional theatre company in Howard County, Maryland producing contemporary and classic works. Comparable as a Maryland regional theatre producing live theatrical performances with similar artistic mission.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@spotlighterstheatre1962
• Facebookfacebook.com/Spotlighters
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-audrey-herman-spotlighters-theatre-inc-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 AUDREY HERMAN SPOTLIGHTERS THEATRE, INC.