The Paper Bag Players Inc
The Paper Bag Players is a New York-based non-profit theater company founded in 1958 that creates and tours original live musical theater for children ages 3 through 9, serving schools and families across the NYC metropolitan area and Northeast via in-school shows, regional venue performances, and virtual formats.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1958
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Paper Bag Players Inc does
The Paper Bag Players Inc is a New York-based 501(c)-style non-profit theater company founded in 1958, producing original live musical theater for children ages 3 through 9. It is governed by a Board of Directors under Co-Artistic Directors Kevin Richard Woodall and John Stone, with John Stone additionally serving as Executive Director since 2023. The company travels with five actor-performers and one musician, delivering roughly 55-minute shows composed of 10-12 sketches each, with a signature low-tech aesthetic in which props, sets, and costumes are built from paper and cardboard.
The product portfolio centers on in-school shows (35-minute or 55-minute formats adaptable to cafeterias, gyms, and auditoriums), field-trip shows at six regional NYC and Connecticut venues (Kaye Playhouse, Hostos Community College, Queensborough Performing Arts Center, LaGuardia Community College, Theater at City Tech, Klein Memorial Auditorium), and a virtual show product ('Out and About and Together Again'). Supporting offerings include study guides tied to current productions and the 'Theater For All' accessibility program for underserved schools. The new creative ensemble that emerged in 2010 has produced 78 new works over 13 seasons, with the mainstage show rotating annually (current: 'Your Friend Is My Friend' running January through May 2027).
Revenue is generated through a hybrid non-profit model combining ticket sales ($10 general, $8.50 bulk, $9 early bird; $20 family virtual; $150-$700 virtual school field trips), donations from foundations, individuals, and corporations (including Warner Bros. Discovery), and government grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, New York State Council on the Arts, and NYC Department of Cultural Affairs. Customer segments are schools serving grades 3-K through 4 and families with young children in the New York City metropolitan area and Northeast; the organization is also pursuing underserved schools via its access program. The company's brand is supported by an Obie Award, six American Theater Wing Awards, a Children's Theater Foundation Medallion, and ongoing press coverage including a 2024 New York Times feature.
The Paper Bag Players Inc firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Paper Bag Players Inc
- Legal name
- The Paper Bag Players Inc
- Website
- https://thepaperbagplayers.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1958
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Paper Bag Players is a New York-based non-profit theater company founded in 1958 that creates and tours original live musical theater for children ages 3 through 9, serving schools and families across the NYC metropolitan area and Northeast via in-school shows, regional venue performances, and virtual formats.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where The Paper Bag Players Inc is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Paper Bag Players Inc business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Ticket Sales: Revenue from school-time shows, field trip performances, and weekend/family performances at various venues. Tickets priced at $10 per person with bulk discounts for groups of 20+.
- Donations and Grants: Non-profit organization supported by foundations, corporations, individuals, NEA, NYSCA, NYC Cultural Affairs, and Warner Bros. Discovery. Donations support the 'Theater For All' free/reduced ticket program.
- Virtual Products: Sale of virtual shows including 'Out and About and Together Again' - $20 for families, $150-$700 for school groups based on number of classes.
- Merchandise: Online store sells tickets and potentially other Paper Bag Players merchandise.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard In-Person Show Ticket |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Virtual Family Field Trip |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Virtual School Field Trip |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
The Paper Bag Players Inc product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Paper Bag Players is a non-profit children's theater company that creates and performs original musical theater productions for children ages 3–9 using a signature low-tech aesthetic—props, sets, and costumes made from paper and cardboard, combined with audience participation, music, dance, and poetry. Performances are delivered as in-school shows (35- or 55-minute formats), weekend/family performances at regional venues, and on-demand virtual field trips, reaching approximately 65,000 children per year across 130+ shows. The company also runs the "Theater For All" program providing free and reduced-price tickets to underserved schools.
Product overview
The Paper Bag Players offers a unified portfolio of live and virtual theatrical experiences for children. The core product is the mainstage show (currently 'YOUR FRIEND IS MY FRIEND') featuring original musical theater with paper-and-cardboard props, sets, and costumes. This is delivered through in-school shows, field trip performances at regional venues, and a virtual show option ('OUT AND ABOUT AND TOGETHER AGAIN'). The portfolio also includes the 'Theater For All' accessibility program and study guides as supporting components. The company travels with five actors and one musician, delivering 10-12 sketches per show lasting approximately 55 minutes.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- YOUR FRIEND IS MY FRIEND Mainstage original children's musical theater production for children ages 3 through 9, featuring audience participation, music, dance, and the company's signature paper-and-cardboard props and costumes. Sold via the online store and through venue box offices; $10 per ticket with bulk and early-bird discounts.
- HEY THERE, HOWDY, EVERYBODY! 67th season mainstage children's musical theater production for young audiences, performed live at schools and regional venues with audience participation and paper-and-cardboard scenic design.
- OUT AND ABOUT AND TOGETHER AGAIN (Virtual Show) Virtual on-demand children's theater experience designed for remote viewing by families and schools. Includes a guided craft segment; priced at $20 for families and $150–$700 for school groups on a per-class sliding scale.
- In-School Performances
Quantifiable outcome
- Reaches approximately 65,000 children annually through 130+ performances
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use The Paper Bag Players Inc
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Paper Bag Players Inc technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Paper Bag Players Inc partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Kaye Playhouse at Hunter CollegecorePrimary Manhattan venue for The Paper Bag Players' school-time and family performances. Located at 695 Park Ave, NY 10065.
- Hostos Community College - Center for Arts & CulturecoreBronx venue hosting The Paper Bag Players performances at 450 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451.
- Queensborough Performing Arts CentercoreQueens venue (at Queensborough Community College) hosting The Paper Bag Players at 222-05 56th Avenue, Oakland Gardens, NY 11364.
- LaGuardia Community College - Performing Arts CentercoreLong Island City venue hosting The Paper Bag Players at 45-50 Van Dam at 47th Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101.
- Theater at City TechcoreBrooklyn venue hosting The Paper Bag Players at 285 Jay Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201.
- Klein Memorial AuditoriumcoreBridgeport, CT venue hosting The Paper Bag Players at 910 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06605.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Paper Bag Players Inc competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Customer concentration
The Paper Bag Players Inc social profiles
Digital presenceThe Paper Bag Players Inc financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Paper Bag Players Inc leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
The Paper Bag Players Inc funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Paper Bag Players Inc 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 The Paper Bag Players Inc
What does The Paper Bag Players Inc do?
The Paper Bag Players is a non-profit children's theater company that creates and performs original musical theater productions for children ages 3–9 using a signature low-tech aesthetic—props, sets, and costumes made from paper and cardboard, combined with audience participation, music, dance, and poetry. Performances are delivered as in-school shows (35- or 55-minute formats), weekend/family performances at regional venues, and on-demand virtual field trips, reaching approximately 65,000 children per year across 130+ shows. The company also runs the "Theater For All" program providing free and reduced-price tickets to underserved schools.
Is The Paper Bag Players Inc a public or private company?
The Paper Bag Players Inc is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Paper Bag Players Inc founded?
The Paper Bag Players Inc was founded in 1958. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Paper Bag Players Inc based?
The Paper Bag Players Inc is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Paper Bag Players Inc make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Ticket Sales are the primary driver. The others are donations and Grants, virtual Products and merchandise.
Does The Paper Bag Players Inc have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Paper Bag Players Inc.