What they reported doing
- #1 primary $727KTHEATRE - EACH YEAR, THE ORGANIZATION PRODUCES ORGINAL MAINSTAGE MUSICALS THAT EMPLOY PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORS, CHOREOGRAPHERS, MUSICAL DIRECTORS, DESIGNERS, SCENIC ARTISTS, TECHNICIANS, AND CREW TO WORK WITH A DIVERSE CAST OF CHILDREN AND TEENS THAT ARE MEMBERS OF THE FREE RESIDENT YOUTH ENSEMBLE OF TADA . THE ORGANIZATION MAINTAINS CHILDRENS TICKET PRICES STARTING AT 15 FOR ITS PRODUCTIONS AND OFFERS DISCOUNTED AND FREE TICKETS TO SCHOOL AND NON-PROFIT GROUPS.
What they call their work
What they do
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Youth Theater Arts Education 4 activities
- Distribute educational resources for productionsProvides study guides for its musical productions, such as *The History Mystery*, to support educational engagement and classroom integration.
- Host public engagement and recruitment eventsOrganizes open house events featuring interactive sample classes in musical theater led by NYC Teaching Artists, scheduled for children ages 4–7 and 8–13, to promote programs and recruit new participants.
- Offer year-round musical theater education programsProvides in-person and after-school musical theater classes, camps, and residencies for children and teens across all five boroughs of New York City, including a summer camp program for ages 5–12 and short-term workshops like a one-day *Frozen*-themed Broadway camp. Programs use ensemble-building and team-teaching models to nurture creativity, confidence, and collaboration.
- Operate free pre-professional training for youth through Resident Youth EnsembleRuns a free, year-round program for 40–80 youth ages 8–18 from NYC and New Jersey, offering pre-professional theater training, performance opportunities in mainstage productions, leadership development, and academic support. Admission is via open audition with no prior experience required, and the program prioritizes BIPOC youth.
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Student Career Readiness and Internship Placement 1 activity
- Deliver career development and job readiness training for youthOperates the Job Readiness Apprenticeship Program (JobRAP), an internship that trains high school students in resume writing, interview techniques, and job skills through hands-on experience with staff. Also provides BIPOC youth with career learning opportunities via panel discussions, mentorship, and practical work experience at TADA!.
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Subsidized Rehearsal and Performance Space 1 activity
- Maintain and provide rehearsal and performance facilities for artistsOperates a theater space with a 24’x31.5’ stage, seating for 112, box office, dressing rooms, and full lighting/sound systems, plus two rehearsal studios (750 sq. ft. and 364 sq. ft.) equipped with pianos, audio gear, climate control, and free WiFi, available for use by artists and teaching staff.
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Student Progress Assessment & Program Evaluation 1 activity
- Measure social-emotional learning outcomes in youth participantsAnnually assesses social-emotional learning (SEL) outcomes using the Hello Insight Metrics Tool, tracking improvements in performance readiness, collaboration, commitment fulfillment, and academic/social stability among participants.
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Youth Musical Theater Productions 1 activity
- Produce original youth musical theater productionsCreates and presents original, socially relevant musicals performed by youth ages 8–18, with professional creative teams; produces annual mainstage shows running 17–35 performances for young audiences and families, such as *The Little Moon Theater* and *Sleepover*. Since 1984, over 179,000 audience members have attended live productions.
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Performing Arts Ticket Access Programs 1 activity
- Provide financial accessibility initiatives for programs and performancesOffers pay-what-you-can tickets starting at $1.00, group discounts up to 66%, discounted/free tickets for nonprofit groups, full-tuition sponsorships for BIPOC students with financial need, and financial aid for classes and camps to ensure equitable access.
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Arts and Cultural Workforce Training 1 activity
- Run Arts Mentorship Program for BIPOC youth and professionalsPairs BIPOC teen ensemble members with BIPOC theater professionals in off-stage roles (e.g., stage management, design) for career development, with compensation provided to all participants.
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Who runs it
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JANINE NINA TREVENS | PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIR. EXEC. DIR. | 40 | $160K |
- ALYSSA COOK — BOARD MEMBER
- BETTI PACKMAN — BOARD MEMBER
- DOUG MURPHY — BOARD MEMBER
- EDDIE MUFUTE — BOARD MEMBER
- FRANK MOY — TREASURER
- FUNDA AKARSU REZA — BOARD MEMBER
- GENESIS DUNN — BOARD MEMBER
- JACOB PLATT — BOARD MEMBER
- JAMES CHALMERS BROWNE — PRESIDENT
- JORDAN PEELE — BOARD MEMBER
- JULIE TURAJ — VICE PRESIDENT
- LARISSA MARCELLINO — BOARD MEMBER
- MICHAEL MEOLA — BOARD MEMBER
- MIHIR SHAH — BOARD MEMBER
- MONISHA BHAYANA — SECRETARY
- NICOLE JACOBY — BOARD MEMBER
- ROBERT HOSANG — BOARD MEMBER
- RYAN KINKADE — BOARD MEMBER
- STEPHEN T RODD — BOARD MEMBER
Who they work with
- Adam and Ryan Metzger Partner — Alumnus of the Resident Youth Ensemble of TADA! (RYET) program
- April Rozier Partner — BIPOC mentor in the Arts Mentorship Program (AMP), providing guidance in choreography and stage management.
- Azealia Banks Partner — Alumnus of the Resident Youth Ensemble of TADA! (RYET) program
- Ben Levin Partner — Alumnus of the Resident Youth Ensemble of TADA! (RYET) program
- Charity Navigator Network — TADA! is listed on Charity Navigator, indicating public transparency and accountability in nonprofit operations.
- Christina Marie Vidal Partner — Alumnus of the Resident Youth Ensemble of TADA! (RYET) program
- Elizabeth Addison Partner — BIPOC mentor in the Arts Mentorship Program (AMP), providing guidance at the intersection of theatre arts and recovery.
- Gia Gan Partner — BIPOC mentor in the Arts Mentorship Program (AMP), providing mentorship in music direction, conducting, and composition.
- Hale Appleman Partner — Alumnus of the Resident Youth Ensemble of TADA! (RYET) program
- Hello Insight Partner — Uses the Hello Insight Metrics Tool to measure social-emotional learning outcomes among RYET members.
- International Rescue Committee Partner — Lisa Diana Shapiro, a longtime volunteer at the IRC’s Refugee Youth Program, is co-creating the musical Common Ground with TADA!.
- Jay Adana Partner — BIPOC mentor in the Arts Mentorship Program (AMP), providing guidance in composing and lyric-writing.
- Jordan Peele Partner — Academy Award winner and TADA! alumnus serving on the Board of Directors.
- Jordan Peele Partner — Alumnus of the Resident Youth Ensemble of TADA! (RYET) program
- Josh Peck Partner — Alumnus of the Resident Youth Ensemble of TADA! (RYET) program
- Julia Jordan Kamanda Partner — BIPOC mentor in the Arts Mentorship Program (AMP), providing music mentorship in songwriting, guitar, and vocals.
- Kathy D. Harrison Partner — BIPOC mentor in the Arts Mentorship Program (AMP), providing guidance in playwriting, songwriting, and directing.
- Kerry Washington Partner — Alumnus of the Resident Youth Ensemble of TADA! (RYET) program
- Kyra Green Partner — Alumnus of the Resident Youth Ensemble of TADA! (RYET) program
- Luis Salgado Partner — BIPOC mentor in the Arts Mentorship Program (AMP), providing guidance in directing and choreography.
- Matthew Hunter Partner — Alumnus of the Resident Youth Ensemble of TADA! (RYET) program
- Mizuo Peck Partner — Alumnus of the Resident Youth Ensemble of TADA! (RYET) program
- Nancy Rodriguez Partner — Alumnus of the Resident Youth Ensemble of TADA! (RYET) program
- New York City Government — Provides in-school residencies and after-school programs in public schools across New York City.
- NoMad Government — Located in the NoMad neighborhood of Manhattan, indicating local geographic affiliation.
- P.S. 254 Partner — Partnered with P.S. 254 for a skill-building arts residency that improved student confidence and leadership.
- Resident Youth Ensemble of TADA! Partner — Youth ensemble responsible for performing in TADA! productions
- Ricardo A. Zayas Partner — Alumnus of the Resident Youth Ensemble of TADA! (RYET) program
- Ricki Lake Partner — Alumnus of the Resident Youth Ensemble of TADA! (RYET) program
- SMS provider Partner — Shares contact information with an SMS provider solely for the purpose of secure messaging; the provider is contractually obligated to protect data.
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.
- Equity-Centered Access and Inclusionmethodology: equity-centered programmingBy embedding antiracist, multicultural, and equity-centered practices across programming and hiring, the organization increases access and belonging for historically underrepresented youth, because removing structural barriers related to race, gender, and socioeconomic status enables more inclusive participation and empowers marginalized voices in the arts.
- Student-Centered Ensemble Learningmethodology: student-centered_learningBy using ensemble-based, student-centered pedagogy that adapts to individual needs and developmental levels, the organization promotes creative growth and collaboration, because a responsive, cooperative environment fosters confidence, inclusion, and skill-building tailored to diverse learners.
- Youth Development Through Theatermethodology: youth-development-through-theaterBy combining musical theater training with youth development supports, the organization fosters holistic growth in young people, because artistic engagement builds life skills such as responsibility, teamwork, independence, and social-emotional competence while also addressing academic and career readiness.