What Stuart's Opera House does

Stuart's Opera House is a nonprofit performing arts organization founded c. 1880 in Nelsonville, Ohio, operating a historic venue at 52 Public Square that serves as the cultural anchor of the historic Public Square and a regional arts center for southeastern Ohio. Its core products include live concerts and theatrical performances at the main opera house, the annual Nelsonville Music Festival and Happy Hollow Old-Time Music Gathering held at the Snow Fork Event Center, Gallery 1879 rotating art exhibitions, and an arts education vertical spanning afterschool music/audio programs, Summer Arts Camp, Drama Club, Poetry Out Loud, and Paint & Pour craft nights. The organization also operates venue rentals (including a Verity Hall Airbnb), an online merchandise storefront, and a monthly Open Mic Night in the grand lobby.

The technology stack is entirely off-the-shelf and non-proprietary: Tixr for digital ticketing, WooCommerce for the merchandise e-commerce shop, Square for payment processing, and JotForm for Open Mic Night performer sign-ups. No AI, machine learning, data platform, or custom software systems are disclosed. Distribution spans a physical box office (Monday-Friday 10am-4pm plus one hour before showtime), the Tixr online platform, the WooCommerce storefront with global reach, and the Airbnb platform for Verity Hall.

Revenue is generated through seven distinct streams: live event ticket sales, merchandise sales, corporate sponsorships, individual donations and memberships (including Kroger Community Rewards), venue rentals, food vendor fees at NMF, and arts education program fees. Pricing varies materially by event — Hot Tuna Acoustic reserved seats start at $50 and box seats at $70, while Paint & Pour events are tiered from $30 to $40 and merchandise ranges from $2 stickers to $1,500 gallery artwork. The primary customer segments are general public/arts enthusiasts, K-12 students and educators (notably Nelsonville-York Schools), corporate partners seeking tax-deductible community visibility, and Nelsonville Music Festival attendees. Go-to-market is event-driven, anchored on the annual programming calendar and supported by organic social (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube), an email newsletter, the website, press releases, and community partnerships.

Name

Stuart's Opera House

Legal name

Stuart's Opera House

Website

https://stuartsoperahouse.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1880

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Stuart's Opera House is a historic nonprofit performing arts venue in Nelsonville, Ohio, founded c. 1880, that presents live performances, runs the Nelsonville Music Festival, delivers K-12 arts education, and operates a gallery and venue rentals for southeastern Ohio communities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Venue

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (71111), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music) (BPAGAHAB), Performing Arts & Cultural Event Venues (Theaters, Museums) (THAHAAAG), Community Theatre & Storytelling Festivals (MPAGAEAI)

Keywords

• Live music venue
• Performing arts
• Music festival
• Arts education
• Community events

Headquarters

HQ city

Nelsonville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Live Event Tickets: Revenue generated from ticket sales for live performances including concerts, comedy shows, and special events. Tickets are sold through the Tixr platform and at the physical box office. Pricing varies by event with reserved seats and premium box seat options.
2. Merchandise Sales: Online shop selling branded merchandise including NMF (Nelsonville Music Festival) apparel, Gallery 1879 art pieces, festival memorabilia, and general SOH merchandise. Products range from clothing and accessories to artwork and food vendor fees.
3. Corporate Sponsorship: Corporate partners sponsor Stuart's Opera House events and programs, gaining visibility through marketing materials including print ads, press releases, email, posters, handbills/flyers, website, radio, and social media. Sponsorship is tax-deductible.
4. Individual Donations and Membership: Individual supporters can become members or make direct donations. Additional giving options include Kroger Community Rewards program where a portion of purchases is donated to Stuart's.
5. Venue Rental: Stuart's Opera House and Verity Hall are available for rent for private events, providing rental income from community use of the facility.
6. Food Vendor Fees: Application and participation fees for food vendors at the Nelsonville Music Festival.
7. Arts Education Programs: Revenue from programs including Paint & Pour craft nights, Summer Arts Camp, and other educational offerings with tiered pricing for participation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Stuart's Opera House is a historic 1879 nonprofit performing arts venue in Nelsonville, Ohio that presents live music concerts, music festivals (including the Nelsonville Music Festival and Happy Hollow Old-Time Music Gathering), gallery exhibitions, and K-12 arts education programs. The organization operates multiple facilities including the main opera house, the Snow Fork Event Center, Gallery 1879, and Verity Hall, and sells related event tickets, merchandise, and venue rentals.

Product overview

Stuart's Opera House is a historic performing arts venue located at the cornerstone of the historic Public Square in Nelsonville, Ohio. The organization operates as both a live event venue and an arts education center, offering a portfolio of products and services including: the main venue hosting live concerts and theatrical performances; the annual Nelsonville Music Festival and Happy Hollow Old-Time Music Gathering; comprehensive Arts Education Programs (Afterschool Music and Audio Programs, Summer Arts Camp, Poetry Out Loud, Drama Club); Gallery 1879 featuring rotating art exhibitions; monthly Open Mic Night series; seasonal Craft Night events including Paint & Pour; and an Online Merchandise Shop selling branded NMF and SOH merchandise. Additional offerings include venue rentals, Verity Hall accommodation, membership/donation programs, corporate sponsorships, and volunteer opportunities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Nelsonville Music Festival (NMF): Annual music festival held at Snow Fork Event Center featuring diverse performers
• Happy Hollow Old-Time Music Gathering
• Gallery 1879
• Verity Hall (Airbnb)

Products and services

• Live Music Concert Series
• Nelsonville Music Festival Annual multi-day music festival presented by Stuart's Opera House in Nelsonville, Ohio, featuring live music performances for festival attendees from the region and beyond.
• Happy Hollow Old-Time Music Gathering Old-time music gathering and community event hosted at the Snow Fork Event Center at 5685 Happy Hollow Road, Nelsonville, Ohio for attendees of traditional and old-time music.
• Arts Education Programs In-school and after-school music and performing arts education programs delivered to K-12 students and schools in the southeast Ohio region, coordinated by the Music Education Programs Manager.
• Gallery 1879
• Venue Rental - Stuart's Opera House and Snow Fork Event Center Rental of the historic Stuart's Opera House venue and the Snow Fork Event Center at 5685 Happy Hollow Road for private events such as weddings, receptions, and community gatherings.
• Verity Hall Short-Term Rental Short-term overnight rental of the Verity Hall property via Airbnb for individual travelers and guests.
• Stuart's Opera House Merchandise Branded merchandise and apparel sold online via the organization's WooCommerce storefront with Square payment processing, and at events.
• Membership and Donation Program Membership tiers and individual donation program that provide contributed revenue to support Stuart's Opera House programming and arts education.
• Corporate Sponsorship Program Corporate and small business sponsorship packages that support the Nelsonville Music Festival and year-round programming in exchange for marketing visibility.

Quantifiable outcome

• Elise Stephan, Nelsonville-York High School Principal: 'As we were leaving Stuart's Opera House, I had a very excited student tell me that was the greatest thing they had ever seen and thanked me for having us attend.'

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Fur Peace ProductionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing partnership with Fur Peace Productions to bring touring artists like Hot Tuna to Stuart's Opera House. Fur Peace Productions, founded by Jorma Kaukonen, continues to book and produce shows at the venue.
• Nelsonville Music Festival PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStuart's Opera House organizes the annual Nelsonville Music Festival (NMF) at Snow Fork Event Center. The festival involves numerous partners including OHIO Live and the Baird Brothers Foundation for concert sponsorship.
• Ohio University Performing ArtsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a supporter/organization partner, indicating collaborative relationship for regional arts programming.
• KrogerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThrough Kroger Community Rewards program, shoppers can link their Kroger Plus card to Stuart's Opera House and a portion of purchases is donated. Requires annual re-enrollment in August.
• Jackie O's TaproomminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal brewery in Athens, Ohio hosting Stuart's Paint & Pour events during Ohio Brew Week, creating cross-promotional opportunities.
• Chef Katie Mosher / River Willow CulinaryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChef Katie Mosher serves as Stuart's Chef-in-Residence, providing catering for rentals and special events, and hospitality for visiting artists and audiences.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• The Birchmere: Established for-profit music venue in Alexandria, VA, hosting Americana, folk, bluegrass, and roots acts. Comparable on programming genre mix and touring-artist ticket economics, but operates as a commercial venue with broader scale.

Direct peers

• The Ark: Nonprofit folk and roots music club in Ann Arbor, MI, presenting year-round live concerts. Directly comparable as a similarly sized regional nonprofit venue focused on acoustic, folk, and Americana programming for a community audience.
• Caffe Lena: Historic nonprofit folk and roots music venue in Saratoga Springs, NY, presenting live performances, open mics, and arts education. Directly comparable as a small-town heritage performing arts nonprofit with similar programming mix and community-based revenue model.
• The Kent Stage: Historic restored theater in Kent, Ohio, presenting live concerts, comedy, and community events. Comparable as another Ohio-based heritage theater of similar scale serving a regional audience with touring artist bookings.
• Station Inn: Legendary small live-music venue in Nashville focused on bluegrass, Americana, and roots acts. Comparable as a heritage intimate venue with similar programming genre and touring-artist pipeline, though operated as a for-profit.
• Freight & Salvage: Nonprofit folk/roots music venue in Berkeley, CA, offering ticketed concerts and arts education. Closely comparable as a mission-driven performing arts nonprofit with diversified earned and contributed revenue streams and educational programming.
• Colonial Theatre (Phoenixville): Restored historic nonprofit performing arts venue in Phoenixville, PA, presenting live music, film, and community events. Comparable as a heritage theater nonprofit with a similarly diversified calendar of live performances and community programming.
• Old Town School of Folk Music: Nonprofit arts education organization in Chicago operating concert venues and extensive folk/roots music classes. Comparable as a nonprofit combining live performance programming with deep arts education offerings — a more urban, scaled version of Stuart's model.
• Appel Farm Arts & Music Center: Nonprofit arts campus offering concerts, residencies, and summer arts education programs. Comparable in combining a festival/event calendar with structured arts education programming for K-12 and community audiences.
• Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival: Annual roots/bluegrass festival in upstate New York. Comparable to the Nelsonville Music Festival as a regional roots-music destination event with similar audience demographics, multi-stage programming, and festival sponsorship model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/stuartsoperahouse
• Facebookfacebook.com/stuartsoh
• Instagraminstagram.com/stuartsoperahouse
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stuart-s-opera-house

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries3 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 Stuart's Opera House