Pocket Theatre
Pocket Theatre is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 2020 that runs VR-filmed theatre programs — inc. (new play incubator), Direct Address, Re:working Chicago Theatre, and the Chicago Artist Database — to serve early-to-mid-career Chicago theatre artists.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Pocket Theatre does
Pocket Theatre is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) non-profit theatre company founded in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic to address a programming vacuum for early-to-mid-career theatre creatives. The organization operates a platform-plus-programmes model centered on four recurring offerings: inc. (a 3-month new play incubator, formerly Pocket Playfest, pairing six early-career directors with six playwrights per cohort), Direct Address (a monthly director-development series with industry guests), Re:working Chicago Theatre (a monthly roundtable on Chicago theatrical practice co-facilitated with American Theatre Magazine), and the Chicago Artist Database (a networking platform connecting artists with storefront companies). Each program is filmed with a 360-degree camera and spatial audio for VR distribution on YouTube, Patreon, and other virtual channels, creating archival portfolios for participating artists while extending audience reach beyond Chicago.
The organization's underlying technology is consumer-grade virtual reality production: 360-degree video cameras placed within the live audience, paired with 360 microphones, producing recordings viewable on desktop (A/S/D/W keys), mobile (motion sensing), or VR headsets (YouTubeVR). The business model is donation- and ticket-driven: tax-deductible contributions across $10-$40 tiers at weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annual cadences; Pay-What-You-Can or $15 Direct Address tickets; and recurring Patreon subscriptions for exclusive content. Operations are volunteer-run with no paid staff; payments flow to artistic team members as small stipends ($20) and reimbursements. The Producing Ensemble — led by Artistic Director Joel Willison and including Rashaad Bond, Brandii Champagne, Emma Durbin, and Erin Sheets — drives programming, with co-production partnerships anchored by Theatre L'Acadie (inc.) and Steppenwolf Theatre Company (Direct Address).
Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven: programming is staged at Chicago storefront venues (Steppenwolf, The Understudy, Hairpin Arts Center) and amplified through Instagram, newsletter signup, Linktree, and Google Forms-based applications, with virtual performance archives distributed globally via YouTube and Patreon. No revenue figures, external funding rounds, or institutional investors are disclosed; operations are funded through donations, program fees, and partner in-kind support.
Pocket Theatre firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Pocket Theatre
- Legal name
- Pocket Theatre
- Website
- https://pockettheatrics.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Pocket Theatre is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 2020 that runs VR-filmed theatre programs — inc. (new play incubator), Direct Address, Re:working Chicago Theatre, and the Chicago Artist Database — to serve early-to-mid-career Chicago theatre artists.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Pocket Theatre industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Theatre Production and Performing Arts
- NAICS
- Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (71111)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Community & Amateur Theatre (MPAGABAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Fringe & Experimental Performing Arts (MPAGABAI)
Keywords
Where Pocket Theatre is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Pocket Theatre business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tax-deductible donations as a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Supports production quality, artist pay, and virtual theatre research. Multiple giving tiers ($10, $20, $30, $40) with weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual options.
- Ticket Sales: Ticket sales for Direct Address events at $15 per ticket or Pay What You Can. Revenue distributed to actors, directors, and playwrights as stipends ($20) and reimbursements.
- Patreon Subscription: Monthly subscription content accessible through Patreon, including recorded performances and behind-the-scenes content.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Monthly | Suggested donation tiers for one-time or recurring support |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Pay What You Can ticket pricing for Direct Address events |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Pocket Theatre product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Pocket Theatre is a Chicago-based non-profit that produces theatre programming and artist development initiatives for early-to-mid-career creatives, including a new play incubator, director-development series, monthly roundtables, and a Chicago artist networking database. Productions are filmed with 360-degree VR cameras and spatial audio so performances can be viewed immersively online as well as in person.
Product overview
Pocket Theatre is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit theatre company founded in 2020 that operates as a platform-plus-programmes model. The company focuses on filling programming gaps for early-to-mid-career creatives through portable events and VR-enhanced productions. Its core offerings include Inc. (a new play incubator previously called Pocket Playfest), Direct Address (director development program), Re:working Chicago Theatre (monthly roundtable series), and the Chicago Artist Database (networking platform). Productions are filmed in 360-degree VR and streamed virtually, with the company pioneering accessibility in virtual theatre.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Inc. (New Play Incubator) A 3-month cohort program that pairs 6 early-career Chicago directors with 6 playwrights to develop new scripts, culminating in a filmed festival with professional development workshops and VR filming.
- Direct Address A director-centric program where early-career directors stage selected scenes, receive real-time feedback from industry professionals, and participate in craft discussions.
- Re:working Chicago Theatre A monthly roundtable series platforming diverse Chicago theatrical voices, work, and methods, co-facilitated with American Theatre Magazine and hosted by The Understudy Coffee and Books.
- Chicago Artist Database A collaborative platform supporting Chicago theatre artists through artistic connection, allowing artists to create profile pages highlighting their work and facilitating networking with storefront theatre companies.
- Pocket Playfest 2022 The 2022 edition of Pocket Theatre's new play festival, where early-career Chicago directors and playwrights developed new scripts culminating in a VR-filmed festival.
- Virtual Reality Theatre Productions 360-degree video productions filmed with VR cameras at live performances, streamed on YouTube for viewing on computers, phones, or VR headsets via the YouTubeVR app, making theatre accessible to remote audiences and producing archival portfolio content for artists.
Quantifiable outcome
- 22+ new plays developed through inc. program
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Pocket Theatre
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Pocket Theatre technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Pocket Theatre partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- The Understudy Coffee and BookscoreHost venue for Re:working Chicago Theatre monthly roundtable series. The Understudy provides physical space for monthly discussions platforming diverse Chicago voices. Partnership includes live audience, virtual streaming, and networking opportunities.
- American Theatre MagazinecoreCo-facilitation partnership for Re:working Chicago Theatre. American Theatre Magazine provides editorial expertise and platform through Gabriela Furtado Coutinho, actor/playwright and magazine editor, serving as series facilitator.
- Theatre L'AcadiecoreCo-producing partnership for inc. program. Theatre L'Acadie is a Chicago theatre company whose co-Artistic Directors (Brandii Champagne and Erin Sheets) serve as producers for inc. Pocket Theatre and Theatre L'Acadie collaborate on new play development and festival production.
- Steppenwolf Theatre CompanymajorHost venue for Direct Address events. Jonathan L. Green, Steppenwolf's Director of New Play Development, serves as featured guest director. Provides physical space and industry credibility for early-career director programming.
- Hairpin Arts CenterminorAcknowledged venue partner for Pocket Playfest 2022. Mentioned in special thanks for supporting festival productions.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Pocket Theatre competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Steppenwolf Theatre Company: Major Chicago theatre that hosts Pocket's Direct Address events and supplies featured guest directors from its New Play Development team. A broad incumbent that anchors Pocket's industry legitimacy.
Others
- American Theatre Magazine: National trade publication that co-facilitates Pocket's Re:working Chicago Theatre series. Operates as an industry media partner rather than a theatre company, lending editorial reach and credibility.
- The Understudy Coffee and Books: Chicago venue partner that hosts Pocket's Re:working Chicago Theatre series. Functions as a venue/ecosystem enabler rather than a direct competitor, providing physical space and foot traffic.
Direct peers
- Shattered Globe Theatre: Chicago storefront theatre producing bold new and established works. Comparable in scale and programming philosophy, with documented prior collaborations with Pocket's leadership.
- Definition Theatre Company: Chicago theatre company noted for developing diverse new voices. Pocket's Artistic Director has collaborated with Definition, and both share a focus on emerging and underrepresented artists.
- Theatre L'Acadie: Chicago theatre company that co-produces Pocket's inc. program. Co-Artistic Directors Brandii Champagne and Erin Sheets serve as producers for inc., making it the closest operational and programmatic peer.
- Freshly Brewed: New play development series co-founded by Pocket's Artistic Director Joel Willison. Comparable in scope (script development for early-career artists) and Chicago footprint, making it a sibling program with overlapping participants.
- Chicago Dramatists: Long-standing Chicago non-profit focused on new play development and playwright support. Directly comparable mission of nurturing emerging writers through workshops, readings, and residencies.
- Refracted Theatre Company: Chicago-based indie theatre with a comparable scale and mission of producing new work. Pocket's leadership has past collaboration with Refracted, indicating overlapping artist pools.
- Filament Theatre: Chicago storefront theatre producing new and devised work. Pocket's leadership has a collaboration history, and Filament's storefront model parallels Pocket's community-driven approach.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Pocket Theatre social profiles
Digital presencePocket Theatre financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Pocket Theatre leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Pocket Theatre funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Pocket Theatre M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Pocket Theatre
What does Pocket Theatre do?
Pocket Theatre is a Chicago-based non-profit that produces theatre programming and artist development initiatives for early-to-mid-career creatives, including a new play incubator, director-development series, monthly roundtables, and a Chicago artist networking database. Productions are filmed with 360-degree VR cameras and spatial audio so performances can be viewed immersively online as well as in person.
Is Pocket Theatre a public or private company?
Pocket Theatre is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Pocket Theatre founded?
Pocket Theatre was founded in 2020. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Pocket Theatre based?
Pocket Theatre is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does Pocket Theatre make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are ticket Sales and patreon Subscription.
Who are Pocket Theatre's main competitors?
Steppenwolf Theatre Company is listed as a broad incumbent. Others are American Theatre Magazine and The Understudy Coffee and Books. Direct peers are Shattered Globe Theatre, Definition Theatre Company, Theatre L'Acadie, Freshly Brewed, Chicago Dramatists, Refracted Theatre Company and Filament Theatre.
Does Pocket Theatre have an API?
No public API is recorded for Pocket Theatre.
What industry is Pocket Theatre in?
Pocket Theatre's product category is Theatre Production and Performing Arts. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGABAD, Community & Amateur Theatre, with a secondary code of MPAGABAI, Fringe & Experimental Performing Arts. Its NAICS code is 71111 and its SIC code is 7900.