named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
30 Under 30 Program
Offers $30 tickets to individuals aged 30 and under to increase access to theater for younger audiences.
Second Stage Broadway Season
Produces contemporary American plays and musicals at the Hayes Theater on Broadway, featuring new and revived works by living American writers.
Second Stage Off-Broadway Season
Presents innovative productions at The Pershing Square Signature Center, including world premieres and works by emerging playwrights.
Student Matinees
Provides opportunities for students to attend performances through specially scheduled matinee shows.
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Performing Arts Ticket Access Programs 2 activities
- Educational and audience engagement programmingProvides free tickets to at least 1,000 high school students annually and hosts post-performance talk-back sessions with cast and creative teams. Also offers subscriber-exclusive pre-show events and post-performance discussions to deepen audience engagement.
- Subscription and ticketing services for theatrical productionsOffers subscription packages for upcoming seasons, including flexible booking, free exchanges, and money-back guarantees. Provides discounted tickets for subscribers, individuals under 30, and students, along with rush tickets and e-ticketing options.
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Performing Arts Venue Rental 1 activity
- Management and operation of theater venuesOwns, operates, and manages the Hayes Theater, which it acquired and renovated in 2015, launching Broadway programming with *Lobby Hero* in 2017. Also offers rental of the Hayes Theater for summer productions and short-term events during the season.
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Professional Theatrical Production 1 activity
- Production and presentation of theatrical works by living American playwrightsProduces and presents plays and musicals by living American writers, both on Broadway and Off-Broadway, with a focus on contemporary works and revivals of significant American plays. Since 1979, the organization has produced over 200 theatrical productions, including notable works such as *Dear Evan Hansen*, *Next to Normal*, and *Jitney*.
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New Play Development Programs 1 activity
- Support and development of American playwrights through workshops and commissionsMaintains an active pipeline of readings, workshops, and commissioned plays to support the development of new works by American playwrights, fostering the creation of original theatrical content.
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financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$28.75M
Contributions & grants$5.42M19%
Program service revenue$22.81M79%
Investment income$445K2%
Other revenue$76K
expenses
Total expenses$28.40M
Program expenses76%
Admin / overhead17%
Fundraising7%
Salaries & benefits$13.81M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$57.64M
Cash$5.01M
Investments$5.40M
Liabilities$22.19M
Net assets$35.45M
Liquid reserves4.4 mo
5 years on record · 2019–2023 · YoY revenue +9.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023
Who runs it
paid leadership · 10
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carole Rothman | President & Art Dir. thru 8/24 | 40 | $1.04M |
| McBrien A Dunbar | Head Carpenter, Hayes Theater | 40 | $297K |
| Amelia S Roy head | Electrician, Hayes Theater | 40 | $279K |
| LISA LAWER POST INTERIM | EXEC. DIRECTOR, thru 04/2025 | 40 | $276K |
| Christopher J Gossard | Stagehand, Hayes Theater | 40 | $205K |
| katherine L McCauley | Head Properties, Hayes Theater | 40 | $203K |
| Laura Dilorenzo | Chief Marketing Officer | 40 | $198K |
| LINDSEY FORDEN | Chief Development Officer | 40 | $190K |
| Bennett H Leak | Interim Artistic Director | 40 | $149K |
| Christopher T McGinnis | General Manager | 40 | $146K |
board members · 14
- Adrian j Perry — Board Member
- Alice Pacthod — Board Member
- Alyse Graham — Board Member
- Andrea Taylor Lindsay — Board Member
- Angela Sun — Board Member
- Anthony C M Kiser — Board Member, THRU 03/2024
- Bambi Putnam — Board Member
- Candace K Weir — Board Member
- Debra Martin Chase — Board Member
- Frances D Fergusson — Board Member, THRU 06/2024
- Gabrielle London Palitz — Secretary
- Gina Maria Leonetti — Board Member
- Janet Lynne Knopf — Board Member
- John Sorkin — Board Member
relationships · 19
Who they work with
- AKA Partner — Advertising agency for Second Stage Theater
- Anne Kauffman Partner — Collaborated as director for the production of "Marjorie Prime."
- Belle Flanegan Partner — Contact person for school participation in the Student Matinee Series.
- CASIA CLEANING Partner — Contracted cleaning services provider for Second Stage Theater
- Daniel Swee, CSA Partner — Provided casting services for multiple productions including "Meet the Cartozians," "Marjorie Prime," and "The Receptionist."
- David Cromer Partner — Collaborated as director for the production of "Meet the Cartozians."
- Howard Gilman Foundation Funder — Provides grant support for Second Stage Theater's season.
- Munsee Lenape Partner — Recognizes the Munsee Lenape as original stewards of the land on which Second Stage Theater stands.
- New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Government — Provides public funding support for Second Stage Theater's programs in partnership with the City Council.
- New York City Opera Partner — Partnered with New York City Opera for the revival of 110 in the Shade.
- New York State Council on the Arts Government — Provides funding support for Second Stage Theater's programs with support from the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
- No Kid Hungry Partner — Co-founded The Homebound Project with No Kid Hungry to combine theater and social advocacy.
- PLUSTHINK Partner — Firm responsible for website design of Second Stage Theater
- POLK & CO Partner — Public relations firm handling press for Second Stage Theater
- Pershing Square Signature Center Partner — Co-produces and hosts Off-Broadway performances at the Pershing Square Signature Center.
- RENTEC SOLUTIONS Partner — IT support services provider for Second Stage Theater
- Sarah Benson Partner — Collaborated as director for the production of "The Receptionist."
- TodayTix Partner — Partners with TodayTix to offer rush tickets through their platform.
- Wappinger Lenape Partner — Recognizes the Wappinger Lenape people as original inhabitants of the land occupied by Second Stage Theater.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Community-Engaged Theater Partnershipsmethodology: community-engaged theaterBy collaborating with social service organizations, the theater integrates performance with advocacy and community needs, because linking theater to social issues deepens public relevance and extends impact beyond the stage.
- Creator-Led Artistic Vision Integrationmethodology: playwright_director_integrationBy producing new works where playwrights also serve as directors, the organization ensures a unified artistic vision, because integrating writing and staging under one creator enhances authenticity and coherence in storytelling.
- Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism as Foundational to Organizational Integritymethodology: equity-diversity-inclusion_integrationBy integrating equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism into its core values and organizational systems, the theater advances cultural sustainability and accountability, because structural commitment to these principles strengthens institutional legitimacy and broadens artistic representation.
- New Works Development with Living American Writersmethodology: new_works_developmentBy developing and producing new works by living American playwrights and composers, the organization sustains artistic growth and ensures the relevance of American theater, because original, contemporary voices reflect current societal themes and advance the evolution of theatrical art.
- Youth and Audience Accessibility Modelmethodology: flexible-access_modelBy offering discounted tickets, flexible booking, and age-targeted engagement activities like after-parties, the theater increases access and participation among younger audiences, because reducing financial and social barriers fosters long-term audience development and inclusivity.