named programs · 2 · from sources
What they call their work
Free Public Circus Cabaret
Family-friendly circus performances produced free to the public on the streets of New York City.
HAMLET by New York Circus Project
A contemporary circus adaptation of Shakespeare's tragedy, combining acrobatics, aerial performance, contortion, dance, and original text to convey the story's emotional and narrative arcs.
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Experimental Circus and Immersive Theater Production 3 activities
- Adapts classic theater works into circus performancesDevelops and produces circus-theater adaptations of classic plays, including a version of Shakespeare’s Hamlet that uses acrobatics and contortion to portray characters and emotional states, performed both domestically and internationally.
- Commissions and develops new circus works through collaborative labsCommissions and develops new circus-theater productions through initiatives like Circus Lab, supporting collaborative creation processes for original works such as "Rapunzel."
- Produces original circus-theater performancesCreates and stages original circus-theater productions such as "Liquid," an immersive punk rock circus experience with acrobats, dancers, and aerialists, and "Rapunzel," a circus adaptation of a Grimms' Fairy Tale. These productions integrate narrative, music, and circus arts for theatrical presentation.
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Professional Theatrical Production 2 activities
- Provides circus performances for commercial theater and eventsCreates and performs circus content for commercial productions such as the Broadway show Moulin Rouge! and seasonal events at cultural institutions like the New York Botanical Garden.
- Tours circus-theater productions nationally and internationallyTours original productions across the United States and abroad, including a 2024 U.S. tour of HAMLET in cities such as Philadelphia, Washington DC, and Chicago, and an international debut at the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where the production received critical acclaim and a Fringe Theatre Award.
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Free Outdoor & Community Theater Productions 1 activity
- Presents free public circus performancesProduces free, family-friendly circus cabaret performances in public spaces, including streets of New York City and Open Streets initiatives, as well as holiday events at venues like the New York Botanical Garden.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Recruits circus artists for upcoming projectsSeeks and collects information from circus artists across disciplines for future performance projects, including a new production scheduled between April 5 and July 31, 2026.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$170K
Contributions & grants$52K30%
Program service revenue$115K68%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$275K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
balance sheet
Total assets$16K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$-105K
1 years on record · 2023–2023
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023
Who runs it
board members · 8
- Allison Emmerich — Director / Production Manager
- Debra Landa — Director / Treasurer
- Emma Owens — CoFounder / Director / Secretary
- Estee Dechtman — Director
- Lisa Stevens — Director
- Nathan Files — Director / Director of Production and Design
- Samuel Landa — Artistic Director / CoFounder / Ex-Officio Board Member
- Thomas Doyle — Director
relationships · 14
Who they work with
- Arts, Letters & Numbers Partner — Partner organization in the production of "Rapunzel," based in Averill Park, NY.
- Baruch Performing Arts Center Funder — Provided support for the production of HAMLET by New York Circus Project
- Broadway Partner — Features performers with experience in Broadway productions such as Moulin Rouge and Sunset Boulevard.
- BroadwayWorld Partner — Featured and reviewed New York Circus Project's productions, including HAMLET.
- Cheswatyr Foundation Funder — Provided support for the production of HAMLET by New York Circus Project
- Cirque du Soleil Partner — Collaborates with performers who are alumni of Cirque du Soleil.
- Columbia University Partner — Founders and team members are alumni; organization originated from student group at Columbia.
- Diplomatico Rum Partner — Collaborates with Diplomatico Rum professionals to curate signature craft cocktails for the LIQUID experience.
- FringeArts Partner — Presented the production _Hamlet_ at FringeArts in Philadelphia.
- Jack Daniel’s Partner — Collaborates with Jack Daniel’s professionals to curate signature craft cocktails for the LIQUID experience.
- Mt. Ida Preservation Association Partner — Partner organization in the production of "Rapunzel."
- National Circus School Partner — Includes performers who are alumni of the National Circus School.
- Slane Irish Whiskey Partner — Collaborates with Slane Irish Whiskey professionals to curate signature craft cocktails for the LIQUID experience.
- The Big Top Group Partner — Co-producing organization for the production of "Rapunzel."
strategies · 4
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.
- Artist-Centered Casting and Developmentmethodology: open_callBy using open portfolio submissions and maintaining a casting database, we identify and integrate diverse circus artists into our productions, because inclusive, talent-driven casting fosters artistic innovation and ensures high-quality, authentic performances.
- Circus-Theater Fusion for Narrative Storytellingmethodology: circus-theater fusionBy integrating circus arts with theatrical narratives—such as Shakespearean text or classic fairy tales—we create emotionally resonant, multidisciplinary performances that make classical stories accessible and engaging to modern audiences, because physical expression enhances emotional and narrative impact.
- Innovation Through Tradition-Modern Interplaymethodology: tradition-innovation interplayBy juxtaposing traditional narratives with innovative circus and physical theater techniques, we engage contemporary audiences more deeply, because the tension between the familiar and the novel stimulates curiosity, relevance, and artistic dialogue.
- Original Thematic Physical Expressionmethodology: original thematic circus performanceBy creating original circus works that explore abstract themes through movement and physical expression, we expand the artistic boundaries of the form, because non-narrative, emotionally driven performance allows for deeper audience connection to universal human experiences.