Teatro SEA (Sociedad Educativa de las Artes, Inc.)

What Teatro SEA (Sociedad Educativa de las Artes, Inc.) does

Teatro SEA (Sociedad Educativa de las Artes, Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1985 by Dr. Manuel A. Morán and headquartered at The Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural & Educational Center on Manhattan's Lower East Side, with additional offices in San Juan, Puerto Rico and Florida. It operates as the nation's leading Latino Children's Theater, producing bilingual (Spanish/English) puppet theater, live performances, festivals, and educational programming that reaches over 75,000 children and young adults annually. Its core product portfolio spans main stage productions at a 110-seat, 2,800 sq ft venue, the secondary Punto SEA venue (opened October 2021), school tours and in-school residencies priced at $1,200 per presentation, the International Puppet Fringe Festival NYC (the only international fringe festival dedicated exclusively to puppetry, now in its 4th edition with 50+ productions from a dozen countries), MicroTeatro NY (15–20 minute micro-plays at $5/ticket), BORIMIX Puerto Rico Fest, Three Kings Day Festival, Arte Pa' Mi Gente, and the El Musical development program for new Latiné musicals.

The organization's underlying production model combines traditional bilingual puppetry, music, and storytelling with digital extensions including the El Avión The Airplane stop-motion animated web series and the SEA Kids Network YouTube channel (over 1 million views), audiobooks produced in partnership with Penguin Random House Audio (launched September 2023), and a bilingual picture book line (SEA Publications) sold via the Tienda SEA online store. Revenue mechanics are diversified across six streams: ticket sales through OvationTix, school and camp touring fees, theater and studio rentals, merchandise and publication sales (books at $20, postcards at $2–$10), special events including galas, and grant funding from sources including the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, NYC City Council, Manhattan Borough President, Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña, Puerto Rico Department of Education, and GEER funds. The go-to-market motion is event-driven, anchored by annual festivals and recurring community programming.

Leadership rests with founder/CEO/Artistic Director Dr. Manuel A. Morán and Managing Director & Associate Producer J. Edgar Mozoub (appointed September 2021). The organization has no parent company, no disclosed equity investors, and operates as a charitable nonprofit reliant on a mix of earned revenue and philanthropic funding. In 2025, Teatro SEA marked its 40th anniversary with a dedicated gala and anniversary season, coinciding with a $14 million accessibility and renovation project at The Clemente Center that caused a documented interruption of the Winter/Spring 2024 season.

Name

Teatro SEA (Sociedad Educativa de las Artes, Inc.)

Legal name

Sociedad Educativa de las Artes, Inc.

Website

https://teatrosea.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Teatro SEA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1985 that produces bilingual Latino children's theater, puppetry, festivals, and arts-in-education programming at its NYC venues and across Puerto Rico, reaching over 75,000 children and families annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts / Children's Theater

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Musical Theatre (Non-Broadway/Fringe) (MPAGABAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Regional & Repertory Theatre Companies (MPAGABAB), Touring Theatre Productions (MPAGABAC), Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB), Performing Arts & Cultural Event Venues (Theaters, Museums) (THAHAAAG)

Keywords

• Bilingual children's theater
• Puppetry performances
• Arts education programs
• Cultural theater productions
• School theater residencies

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from main stage performances, school shows, and outdoor theater productions. Ticketing through OvationTix platform.
2. School Tours and Residencies: Fees for bringing productions to schools in NYC and Puerto Rico, including in-school performances and workshops
3. Merchandise and Publications: Sales of bilingual books, postcards, clothing, and accessories through Tienda SEA online store
4. Venue and Theater Rentals: Rental income from the 2,800 sq ft, 110-seat theater facility and rehearsal studios at The Clemente Center
5. Grants and Donations: Funding from foundations including Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, City Council, Manhattan Borough President, and others. Annual fundraising campaigns including GivingTuesday.
6. Special Events: Revenue from galas including the 40th Anniversary Gala and other fundraising events

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Teatro SEA produces bilingual (Spanish/English) Latino children's theater, including main stage puppet and live performances at its 110-seat venue at The Clemente Center, touring school and camp productions, residencies, workshops, and annual festivals (International Puppet Fringe Festival NYC, BORIMIX, MicroTeatro NY, Three Kings Day). The organization also rents its theater, rehearsal studios, and event space, and sells bilingual publications, audiobooks, and merchandise through its Tienda SEA online store.

Product overview

Teatro SEA (Sociedad Educativa de las Artes, Inc.) is the nation's premier Bilingual Arts-in-Education Organization and Latino Children's Theatre, founded in 1985. The organization operates a portfolio of live performance products including main stage bilingual theater productions at its 110-seat facility, the annual International Puppet Fringe Festival NYC (the world's only fringe festival dedicated to puppetry), MicroTeatro NY (intimate 15-20 minute micro-theater performances), El Musical (musical development program), BORIMIX Puerto Rico Fest, and Three Kings Day Festival. Supporting these core productions are SEA Kids Network (YouTube channel featuring El Avión The Airplane bilingual music series), SEA Publications (bilingual picture books based on productions), Teacher Resource Guides (classroom educational materials), and venue rental services including the main theater and Punto SEA performance space. The organization also operates the Arts for the Community Program (ACP) and outdoor summer theater series. All offerings celebrate and preserve Latino heritage through bilingual, culturally enriching theatrical experiences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EL MUSICAL: A seed grant and development program dedicated to the development, promotion, and strengthening of Latiné musical theater through programs educational, artistic mentorship, development of new works, and community linkage.
• El Avión The Airplane
• SEA Publications
• MicroTeatro NY
• BORIMIX Puerto Rico Fest
• International Puppet Fringe Festival NYC (IPFFNYC)
• Arte Pa' Mi Gente
• Three Kings Day Festival
• Punto SEA

Products and services

• Teatro SEA Main Stage Productions Bilingual (Spanish and English) theater productions for children, families, and communities, including puppet theater performances at the 110-seat main stage facility in Lower East Side, Manhattan.
• International Puppet Fringe Festival NYC The world's only international fringe festival dedicated exclusively to puppetry, featuring 50+ performances, films, exhibitions, workshops, and panels from artists from a dozen countries.
• MicroTeatro NY Innovative theater format featuring micro-works lasting 15-20 minutes with maximum 15 spectators per show, presented in intimate alternative spaces. Tickets priced at $5 per performance.
• EL MUSICAL Development Program Seed grant and development program for new Latiné/Latino musical theater projects, providing $2,500 seed grants, mentorship, rehearsal space, and industry visibility for selected projects.
• BORIMIX Puerto Rico Fest Month-long citywide festival celebrating Puerto Rican arts, music, and culture through theatrical productions, live music concerts, dance exhibitions, and art displays during Puerto Rican Heritage Month.
• Three Kings Day Festival

Quantifiable outcome

• Reaches over 75,000 children and young adults annually through programs
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• The Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural & Educational CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 August 2026Home venue for Teatro SEA since 1985. Co-presenting partner for International Puppet Fringe Festival, BORIMIX, and other major events. Teatro SEA is a cornerstone resident theater organization at The Clemente Center, which underwent a $14 million accessibility and renovation project. The IPFFNYC serves as a soft launch event following the renovation completion.
• Grupo Morán (The Morán Group)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 August 2026Co-producer of International Puppet Fringe Festival NYC. Independent presenting/producing group under direction of Dr. Manuel A. Morán with multi-disciplinary creative professionals capable of comprehensive production services.
• Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME)majorGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 August 2026Official supporter of International Puppet Fringe Festival NYC. Commissioner Rafael Espinal has voiced support for the festival's commitment to artistic innovation, cultural exchange, and expanding access to the arts in NYC.
• The Jim Henson FoundationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 August 2026Festival partner supporting puppetry arts, with historical connection to the field through Jim Henson's legacy.
• Hispanic FederationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 August 2026Partner organization supporting the International Puppet Fringe Festival NYC.
• UNIMA-USAminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 August 2026Festival partner for International Puppet Fringe Festival NYC, supporting puppetry arts community.
• Vineyard TheatreminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 June 2026Provided 50 free tickets for Vega Baja students to attend production II: Girls :II: Chance :II: Music :II by Pulitzer finalist Eisa Davis, offering first exposure to Off-Broadway theater.
• Museum of BroadwayminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 June 2026Partner for educational experience for Vega Baja students visiting NYC, providing immersive experience about Broadway theater history and evolution.
• R.Evolución Latina / Luis Salgado / Denisse AmbertminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 June 2026Collaborators for musical theater workshop at Pearl Studios for Vega Baja students, part of EL MUSICAL's mission to connect young artists with professional opportunities.
• Municipio de Vega BajaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 June 2026Puerto Rico municipality partnering with EL MUSICAL for student cultural exchange, coinciding with Vega Baja's 250th anniversary celebration.
• Teatro LateacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 March 2026Co-presenting partner for MicroTeatro NY since its founding in 2012, providing alternative performance spaces in NYC's Lower East Side for the innovative short-form theater concept originated in Madrid, Spain.
• Instituto de Cultura PuertorriqueñamajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 February 2026Government cultural institute sponsoring the Gira Escolar de Teatro de Títeres school tour in Puerto Rico, supporting performances in public schools.
• Departamento de Educación de Puerto RicomajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 February 2026Puerto Rico Department of Education providing support for school puppet theater tour reaching multiple public schools.
• CENTRO (Center for Puerto Rican Studies of CUNY)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024Co-presenting partner for BORIMIX Puerto Rico Fest, a month-long citywide festival celebrating Puerto Rican arts and culture. BORIMIX Gala held at CENTRO's Silberman School of Social Work Auditorium.
• Teatro LATEAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024Co-presenting partner for BORIMIX Puerto Rico Fest alongside Teatro SEA, Teatro LATEA, CENTRO, and The Clemente.
• Penguin Random House AudiomajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 September 2023Partnership to produce audiobooks of Teatro SEA's beloved bilingual children's stories. Audiobooks narrated by full casts with music and sound effects, featuring notable Latinx voice actors. Initial release September 2023 for Hispanic Heritage Month.
• Alliance of Teatros Latinos NYcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 March 2023Teatro SEA is a member of the Alliance of Teatros Latinos, participating in citywide festivals like Teatro Fest 2025 across nine NYC theaters.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• New Victory Theater: New York's leading performing arts venue dedicated to kids and families, programming theater, dance, puppetry, and circus for young audiences. Most direct U.S. peer for Teatro SEA's children's-theater focus and NYC venue-based model.
• Childsplay: Arizona-based professional theater company producing work specifically for young audiences, including school touring productions and educational programming. Comparable to Teatro SEA in mission and school-tour-driven revenue mix.
• Imagination Stage: Maryland-based professional theater for young audiences offering productions, classes, and community engagement. Comparable in scope of programming, education focus, and venue-based nonprofit theater model.
• Main Street Theater: Houston-based theater company operating a mainstage season and a dedicated Theater for Youth touring program that includes bilingual Spanish/English productions for schools. Closest bilingual children's theater peer to Teatro SEA.
• Teatro LATEA: NYC Latino theater co-presenting partner on MicroTeatro NY and BORIMIX Puerto Rico Fest. Directly comparable to Teatro SEA as a fellow NYC Lower East Side Latino arts organization with shared programming models.

Others

• Alliance of Teatros Latinos NY: Consortium of NYC Latino theaters in which Teatro SEA participates, co-presenting citywide festivals like Teatro Fest 2025. Indirect peer representing the broader NYC Latino theater ecosystem.
• The Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural & Educational Center: Host venue and long-standing strategic partner of Teatro SEA at 107 Suffolk Street, Lower East Side. Not a direct peer but the venue ecosystem in which Teatro SEA operates and co-produces festivals.
• Centro de Estudios Puertorriqueños (Hunter College, CUNY): Co-presenting partner on BORIMIX Puerto Rico Fest and the leading academic/cultural institution supporting Puerto Rican arts in NYC. Adjacent ecosystem participant rather than a direct children's theater competitor.

Regional players

• Atlantic Theater Company: Off-Broadway NYC theater company with an adjacent children's/youth programming arm. Comparable as a NYC-based nonprofit producing company, though not focused on bilingual Latino programming.
• Alliance Theatre: Atlanta-based regional theater with a notable children's/youth programming initiative including school tours. Comparable in scale of regional children's theater and education programming, though broader in thematic focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/teatrosea
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/SEAKidsNetwork
• Facebookfacebook.com/teatroseanyc
• Instagraminstagram.com/teatrosea
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/teatro-sea-society-of-the-educational-arts-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries11 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 Teatro SEA (Sociedad Educativa de las Artes, Inc.)