Carolina Theatre Of Greensboro, Inc.

What Carolina Theatre Of Greensboro, Inc. does

Carolina Theatre of Greensboro, Inc. is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a historic performing arts center at 310 S. Greene Street in downtown Greensboro, North Carolina. Originally opened on October 31, 1927 as a 2,200-seat vaudeville theatre and billed as 'The Showplace of the Carolinas,' the venue now operates three distinct spaces: the 1,130-seat Betty and Ben Cone, Jr. Auditorium (proscenium stage, counterweight fly system, professional lighting and sound), The Crown at the Carolina (a 200-capacity third-floor black-box space converted from the original 1927 sign shop), and the Renaissance Room (a 130-180 capacity second-floor banquet hall). Programming spans concerts, films, dance, theatre, comedy, and curated series including Carolina Kids Club (family programming with live STEAM-aligned stage acts) and Ethno USA (an international music residency co-presented with the NC Folk Festival).

The core technology stack is event-production hardware — ETC Ion lighting console, Yamaha CL-5 sound console, Meyer speakers, Panasonic projection, and Allen & Heath digital mixers — rather than software or AI. The venue welcomes more than 100,000 patrons annually, serves 30,000+ children through programming, supports 3,000+ local and national artists, and is cited as generating approximately $3.9 million in annual economic impact for downtown Greensboro.

The organization generates revenue across five streams: ticket sales (movies at $9, concerts $44.75-$270+, Carolina Kids Club $6 with snack pack), venue rentals ($300-$2,450 per event depending on space and timing), concessions and bar, corporate sponsorships (Duke Energy, Piedmont Natural Gas, Lincoln Financial Foundation, Smitty's McDonalds), and a tiered annual donation program (Actor $125 to Executive Producer $2,500+). Distribution is exclusively direct — owned website box office, physical box office, and phone — with explicit prohibition of third-party ticket resellers. Governance is provided by an 18+ member Board of Directors with the Executive Director Alexandra Arpajian leading day-to-day operations, supported by an 11-50 employee team.

Name

Carolina Theatre Of Greensboro, Inc.

Legal name

Carolina Theatre of Greensboro, Inc.

Website

https://carolinatheatre.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1927

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Carolina Theatre of Greensboro is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a 1927 historic performing arts center in downtown Greensboro, NC, presenting concerts, films, theatre, and family programming across three venue spaces, generating revenue through tickets, venue rentals, concessions, sponsorships, and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Venue

NAICS

Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711), Motion Picture and Video Exhibition (51213), Motion Picture Theaters (except Drive-Ins) (512131)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB), Performing Arts & Cultural Event Venues (Theaters, Museums) (THAHAAAG)

Keywords

• Performing arts venue
• Historic theater programming
• Concert and film screenings
• Venue rental services
• Community arts programming

Headquarters

HQ city

Greensboro

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from selling tickets to concerts, movies, theatre performances, dance shows, and other events in the main auditorium and The Crown. Includes ticketing fees and processing charges.
2. Venue Rentals: Rental income from offering spaces for private events including weddings, receptions, corporate meetings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, and other gatherings. Spaces include the auditorium, The Crown, and Renaissance Room with various pricing tiers.
3. Donations and Fundraising: Non-profit donations through annual fund drives, capital campaigns (Setting the Stage Capital Campaign, Centennial Campaign), and donor recognition programs with various giving levels from Actor ($125) to Executive Producer ($2,500+).
4. Concessions and Bar: Revenue from selling food, beverages, popcorn, and alcohol during events through the concessions stand and bars.
5. Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships from partners including Duke Energy, Piedmont Natural Gas, Lincoln Financial Foundation, Smitty's McDonalds, and others supporting specific programming like the Carolina Kids Club movie series.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Carolina Theatre of Greensboro operates a historic performing arts center presenting concerts, films, dance, theatre, and comedy events across three distinct venue spaces. It also rents its auditorium, black box theatre (The Crown), and Renaissance Room banquet hall for private events including weddings, corporate meetings, and community gatherings. Programming combines self-produced events with third-party presenter partnerships.

Product overview

The Carolina Theatre of Greensboro is a historic performing arts center offering a portfolio of venue spaces and programming. The core offerings include the Betty and Ben Cone, Jr. Auditorium (main theatre with ~1,130 capacity), The Crown at the Carolina (intimate third-floor black box space), and the Renaissance Room (second-floor banquet hall). The venue supplements its rental model with curated programming including the Carolina Kids Club (family movie series), the Carolina Theatre Presents Series (touring artist performances), and Ethno USA (international music residency). Additional services include gift vouchers and educational programming serving 30,000+ children annually.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Crown at the Carolina: A high-tech, flexible black-box performance and rental space located on the third floor of the historic theatre, used for live theatre, concerts, spoken word, dance, weddings, private functions, and community events. Originally the theatre's sign shop from 1927.
• Carolina Kids Club
• Carolina Theatre Presents Series

Products and services

• Betty and Ben Cone, Jr. Auditorium The main auditorium venue of the Carolina Theatre, featuring 1,095 fixed seats plus ADA spaces (total capacity 1,130), a proscenium stage, orchestra pit, counterweight fly system with 42 lines, and professional lighting and sound systems. Used for concerts, movies, live events, dance, and theatre performances.
• The Crown at the Carolina A third-floor black box performance and rental space featuring exposed brick walls, high ceilings, and lead-paned windows. Capacity: up to 200 standing, 150 seated. Used for live music, theatre, spoken word, dance, weddings, private functions, and community events.
• Renaissance Room A second-floor banquet hall measuring 48' x 48' with a 24' x 16' parquet dance floor. Used for parties, receptions, business gatherings, and performer meet-and-greets. Capacity: 130 seated, 180 standing (up to 250 with Mezzanine Lobby).
• Carolina Kids Club Family-friendly movie programming featuring classic and current films with live stage entertainment including Mad Science and Musical Petting Zoo, offering STEAM learning opportunities outside the classroom. Tickets include snack packs at $6 per ticket.
• Carolina Theatre Presents Series A curated performance series featuring nationally touring artists and diverse cultural programming. Proceeds benefit the theatre's mission to preserve its historic venue and expand access to the arts.
• Ethno USA An 11-day international music residency bringing together 30+ young musicians (ages 18-30) from across the globe, culminating in performances at the Carolina Theatre as part of the North Carolina Folk Festival.
• Venue Rental Services Rental of Carolina Theatre spaces including the main auditorium, The Crown, and Renaissance Room for concerts, movies, stage shows, meetings, conferences, weddings, receptions, and private parties. Pricing ranges from $300 for small weekday use to $2,450 for weekend auditorium rentals.
• Gift Vouchers Gift vouchers valid for any event at CarolinaTheatre.com in either the Betty and Ben Cone, Jr. Auditorium or The Crown at the Carolina. Available in customizable amounts.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100,000+ annual patrons
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and supporting.

• Duke EnergymajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of the Carolina Theatre. Duke Energy logo appears on the Partners & Sponsors section of the website alongside other major community partners.
• Piedmont Natural GasmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor of the Carolina Theatre. Logo appears on Partners & Sponsors section supporting the theatre's mission.
• Lincoln Financial FoundationmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor specifically for the Carolina Kids Club programming, supporting family-friendly movie screenings with educational components.
• City of GreensborocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner through Creative Greensboro department. The theatre is a city-owned cultural asset with ongoing support for arts and cultural programming.
• Guilford CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty government partner supporting regional arts and cultural initiatives. Non-profit rental discounts extend to Guilford County-based organizations.
• North Carolina Arts CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState arts agency partner providing funding and support for arts programming at the regional level.
• Arts Council of Greater Greensboro (ACGG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal arts council that originally saved the theatre from demolition in 1975 and managed it until 2006 when it became independent. Ongoing partnership and support.
• Smitty's McDonaldssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor for Carolina Kids Club programming supporting family-friendly movie events.
• North Carolina Folk FestivalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presenter of Ethno USA music residency program and performances. Partnership brings international musicians to the theatre for cultural exchange.
• League of Historic American TheatressupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional membership organization for historic theatres. The Carolina Theatre is a member, gaining access to best practices and industry resources.
• Our State MagazinesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional media sponsor supporting the Carolina Theatre's programming and events.
• New GardensupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal business sponsor supporting theatre programming.
• TSI GeorgiesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor listed on Partners & Sponsors page.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Fabulous Fox Theatre: Larger 4,665-seat historic 1929 performing arts venue in Atlanta presenting Broadway tours, concerts, and film. Operates with broader programming scope, larger staff, and a more national booking profile than Carolina Theatre.

Direct peers

• Tennessee Theatre: Historic 1928 atmospheric theatre in Knoxville, TN, presenting concerts, films, and Broadway tours as a non-profit performing arts venue. Near-identical operating model, vintage, and programming mix to Carolina Theatre.
• Blumenthal Performing Arts: Charlotte, NC-based operator of multiple historic performing arts venues (Belk Theater, Booth Playhouse, Stage Door Theater) presenting Broadway, concerts, and community programming. Operates a comparable multi-format venue portfolio with strong patron and donor engagement model.
• Louisville Palace Theatre: Historic 1928 theatre in Louisville, KY, presenting concerts, comedy, and films as a Live Nation-operated venue. Comparable vintage and event mix though operated under commercial management rather than non-profit governance.
• Florida Theatre: Historic 1926 performing arts venue in Jacksonville, FL, operating as a non-profit presenting concerts, films, comedy, and community events. Comparable vintage, capacity (~1,900), and multi-format programming model.
• Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC): Larger North Carolina performing arts venue presenting Broadway tours, concerts, and comedy, with comparable presenter/venue-operator model. Closest geographic peer in the NC Triangle/Triad arts ecosystem.
• The Paramount Theatre: Historic performing arts venue in Charlottesville, VA, presenting concerts, films, and live programming with non-profit governance and a capital campaign-driven funding model closely paralleling Carolina Theatre's approach.
• Saenger Theatre: Historic 1927 atmospheric theatre in New Orleans presenting Broadway tours, concerts, and films as part of a broader historic theatre restoration network. Similar vintage and mixed-use programming model to Carolina Theatre.
• Carolina Theatre of Durham: Sister historic performing arts venue in Durham, NC, sharing both name and operating model — operates as a multi-format venue presenting films, concerts, and live events in a historic 1926 building, with comparable scale, programming mix, and non-profit governance.

Others

• League of Historic American Theatres: Professional membership organization for historic theatres across the U.S., of which Carolina Theatre is a member. Industry body providing best practices, advocacy, and peer networking for the historic performing arts venue category.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/ctofgso
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCQDWG9FxjSCt3xUrf6rz4zg
• Facebookfacebook.com/CarolinaTheatre
• Instagraminstagram.com/carolinatheatregso
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/carolina-theatre

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Carolina Theatre Of Greensboro, Inc.