Stomping Ground Comedy Theater & Training Center

What Stomping Ground Comedy Theater & Training Center does

Stomping Ground Comedy Theater & Training Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit comedy venue and education organization founded in Dallas, Texas in 2017. It operates a single physical theater at 1350 Manufacturing St. #109 in the Dallas Design District, hosting approximately 35+ live comedy events per month across formats including improv, stand-up, sketch, musical improv, family shows, and competitions (Thunderdome). The organization also runs a structured training center offering five levels of improv, three levels of musical improv, three levels of sketch comedy writing, two levels of clowning, and one level of stand-up, with class pricing ranging from $268.61 to $423.34 per course and youth camps at $399.

The organization monetizes through five distinct revenue streams: (1) ticketed live shows at $5-$20 per ticket, (2) multi-level comedy classes and youth camps, (3) Improv for Work corporate training (custom-quoted engagements for Fortune 500 and mid-market clients including Toyota, Microsoft, Pizza Hut, SMU, Stitch Fix, and UT Southwestern), (4) Improv for Life therapeutic programming combining improv with clinical techniques (CBT, biofeedback, mindfulness) for populations with anxiety, autism, dementia, and neurodiversity, led by Licensed Professional Counselors, and (5) donations/grants plus venue rentals. Pricing models include unit pricing, subscription season passes, pay-what-you-can for caregiver programs, and full/half scholarships.

Stomping Ground serves five primary customer segments: adult comedy students, youth ages 6-18, therapeutic/special populations, corporate/organizational clients (DFW and global), and live comedy audiences. It differentiates via a coopetition philosophy (described as Dallas' only nonprofit comedy theater), a clinically-supervised therapeutic curriculum with no direct Dallas competitor, a proprietary multi-discipline training curriculum, and a community ecosystem of 500+ performers, students, volunteers, and interns. Recognition includes the Dallas Observer Best of Dallas 2020 Best Comedy Club award and an academic publication in the Academic Psychiatry Journal with UT Southwestern on improv-based curriculum for psychiatry residents.

Name

Stomping Ground Comedy Theater & Training Center

Legal name

Stomping Ground Comedy Theater & Training Center

Website

https://stompinggroundcomedy.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Stomping Ground Comedy is a Dallas nonprofit comedy theater and training center offering live shows, multi-level improv classes, corporate team-building (Improv for Work), and clinically-supervised therapeutic improv (Improv for Life) to adult, youth, corporate, and special-needs populations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Education & Comedy Entertainment

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Improvisational Theatre (MPAGABAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Theater & Drama Education (Acting, Improvisation, Musical Theater) (EDAMAAAG), Stand-Up Comedy Shows (MPAGACAA)

Keywords

• Improv comedy classes
• Corporate team building
• Comedy theater shows
• Therapeutic improv programs
• Youth comedy camps

Headquarters

HQ city

Dallas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Live Comedy Shows and Events: Revenue from ticket sales for improv, stand-up, sketch comedy, and special themed performances. Shows range from $5-$20 for family shows to $15 for Thunderdome competitions. The theater hosts approximately 35+ events per month.
2. Comedy Classes and Training: Multi-level improv, musical improv, sketch comedy writing, clowning, and stand-up classes for adults. Youth camps and intensives. Therapeutic programs (Improv for Life) for anxiety, autism, caregivers, and seniors. Pricing varies by program; e.g., Improv for Public Speaking at $375.32, Improv for Anxiety at $423.34, Youth Triple Threat Comedy Camp at $399.
3. Corporate Improv Training (Improv for Work): Team building workshops, leadership development, stress management, and custom corporate events. Served clients including Toyota, UT Southwestern, Pizza Hut, SMU, Stitch Fix, and Microsoft. Pricing based on group size, session length, travel, and customization.
4. Donations and Grants: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Stomping Ground receives funding from individual donations and state or federal grants applied to therapeutic programs. EIN 82-1417970.
5. Space Rentals: Rental of theater space for private events, meetings, and rehearsals. Contact at [email protected] for booking (typically at least two months in advance).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Stomping Ground Comedy Theater & Training Center is a Dallas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that presents live comedy shows (improv, stand-up, sketch, musical improv) and operates a multi-level comedy training center for adults and youth. It also delivers corporate training (Improv for Work) and clinically-informed therapeutic improv programs (Improv for Life) for populations including people with anxiety, autism, caregivers, and seniors. Revenue comes from ticket sales, tuition, corporate contracts, donations, and grants, with surplus reinvested into programs.

Product overview

Stomping Ground Comedy Theater & Training Center is a nonprofit comedy venue offering a unified portfolio of comedy education and entertainment services. The core offerings include a Training Center with multi-level programs in improv, musical improv, sketch comedy, stand-up, and clowning; Live Comedy Shows featuring various formats like Thunderdome, Big Dang Friday, and musical improv productions; Improv for Life therapeutic programs for populations with unique needs; and Improv for Work corporate training services. Youth Programs provide camps and intensives for children and teens, while support programs include scholarships, internships, and venue rental. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to making comedy accessible to all.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Improv for Life: Therapeutic improv program using comedy for mental wellness, social-emotional learning, and support for unique populations including caregivers, people with anxiety, autism, and seniors.
• Improv for Work

Products and services

• Live Comedy Shows
• Improv Training Center
• Improv for Life
• Improv for Work
• Youth Programs

Quantifiable outcome

• Improved communication skills, confidence, and mental health outcomes documented through participant feedback and scholarship program testimonials.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• GaldermaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPharmaceutical company listed as an Improv for Work client partner, receiving corporate team building and training services.
• ToyotacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor corporate client receiving Improv for Work team building and training. Featured as a key client on the corporate training page.
• UT Southwestern Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner receiving Improv for Healthcare Professionals training. Additionally, Andrea K. Baum co-authored a case report published in Academic Psychiatry Journal with UTSW Psychiatry Residents on an improv-based curriculum for communicating with patients with Major Neurocognitive Disorder.
• Pizza HutcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured corporate client of Improv for Work, receiving team building and training services.
• SMU (Southern Methodist University)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerEducational partner through Improv for Work (Student Affairs, School of Theology departments) and Improv for Life programming. Listed as both a client and community partner.
• Stitch FixminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate client of Improv for Work team building and training workshops.
• MicrosoftcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEnterprise-level corporate client receiving Improv for Work training. Listed as a client on both the Improv for Work and Clients & Partners pages.
• Alzheimer's Association - Dallas and Northeast Texas ChaptercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partner for Improv for Caregivers program supporting families impacted by Alzheimer's and dementia. Megan Rowe, Program Manager at Alzheimer's Association, serves on the SG Board of Directors.
• Winston SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAfter-school Improv for Neurodiverse Learners and Improv for Autism program partner. Stomping Ground instructors deliver programming on-site at the school.
• Oak Hill AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school for Improv for Autism & All Abilities after-school program. Stomping Ground delivers neurodiversity-focused improv programming on-site.
• Booker T Washington School for the Performing & Visual ArtsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAfter-school improv program partner. Stomping Ground provides improv curriculum to students at this Dallas arts magnet school.
• Sudie Williams TAG AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAfter-school improv partnership delivering programming to students at this Dallas TAG academy.
• UT Southwestern Surgery DepartmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner collaborating with Stomping Ground on therapeutic improv training for medical professionals.
• GreystarminorGTM or Marketing PartnerReal estate company listed as an Improv for Work client partner.
• AARPminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization partner supporting Improv for Seniors programming for older adults.
• Big ThoughtminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDallas arts education nonprofit partner, collaborating on youth programming and community arts initiatives.
• CitySquareminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDallas nonprofit partner addressing poverty, collaborating on community programming.
• Mommies in NeedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDallas nonprofit partner supporting caregivers, aligned with Improv for Caregivers programming.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Unexpected Productions: Seattle-based improv comedy theater offering shows, classes, and corporate training. Closely comparable nonprofit-style improv theater combining performance, training ladder, and applied improvisation for organizations.
• Magnet Theater: New York City-based improv theater and training center with a multi-level curriculum, musical improv program, and performance teams. Comparable in delivering structured improv levels, musical improv training, and nightly shows under one roof.
• iO Theater (Improv Olympic): Long-form improv theater and school offering multi-level classes, performances, and corporate workshops. Directly comparable as an improv-focused venue combining theater, structured training curriculum, and team-building services.
• Four Day Weekend: Fort Worth-based improv comedy theater offering shows, classes, and corporate team-building training. Closest geographic peer, sharing DFW market with overlapping live-show, training, and corporate training revenue model.
• Improv Asylum: Boston-based improv comedy theater with multi-level training programs, scripted and improvised shows, and corporate team-building services. Comparable as a regional improv theater operator running both education and corporate verticals.
• The Second City: Chicago-based improv comedy theater and training center with conservatory programs, touring companies, and corporate communications training. Most directly comparable global improv institution to Stomping Ground, with shared model of performance, multi-level training, and corporate work.
• The Groundlings: Los Angeles improv and sketch comedy theater with progressive levels of training, house teams, and corporate programming. Comparable in operating a theater + training center hybrid focused on sketch and improv performance skills.
• Dallas Comedy House: Dallas-based improv comedy club and training center featuring shows, multi-level classes, and corporate workshops. Direct DFW competitor with overlapping improv theater, classes, and team-building offerings.
• Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB): Improv and sketch comedy training center with multi-level curriculum, performance venues, and corporate workshops. Closely comparable in combining a structured improv school ladder with theater shows and applied improvisation for organizations.
• ComedySportz: Improvised comedy competition format with licensed troupes across multiple cities, offering classes and corporate entertainment. Comparable as an improv theater business combining short-form shows, training, and team-building events.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/StompingGComedy
• Instagraminstagram.com/stompinggroundcomedy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stompinggroundcomedy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles23 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 Stomping Ground Comedy Theater & Training Center