named programs · 7 · from sources
What they call their work
2026-2027 Season Productions
Professional theatrical productions including EUREKA DAY, MEN ON BOATS, THE FULL MONTY, THE MINUTES, DREAM HOU$E, and PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES, performed at Blackfriars Theatre
Blackfriars Theatre Summer Intensive (BTSI)
Training program for rising high school juniors through recent college graduates, culminating in a full production such as URINETOWN
Hourglass Play Reading Series
Free readings of thought-provoking plays exploring culturally relevant themes, with color and gender-conscious casting and community participation
Imagination Station with Mrs. Kasha Davis
Free, family-friendly live events featuring inclusive children’s stories, music, dance, and crafts hosted by drag performer Mrs. Kasha Davis
Season Soirée
Annual gala fundraiser where attendees vote on the next season’s musical, supporting artistic and educational programming
Sunday Salons
Post-performance talkbacks following Sunday matinees, offering audience engagement with actors and directors
The Conservatory at Blackfriars Theatre
Educational programming including directing workshops, stage management bootcamps, and dance workshops for students and emerging theatre professionals
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Theatrical Casting and Audition Programs 1 activity
- Conduct inclusive casting and auditionsHolds open auditions for theatrical productions with a commitment to color-conscious and body-positive casting practices to ensure diverse and representative representation on stage.
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Event and Production Volunteer Coordination 1 activity
- Engage volunteers in theatre operationsInvites volunteers to participate in all aspects of theatre production, including set construction and audience services, supporting the organization’s operational and artistic functions.
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Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
- Host family-friendly and community eventsHosts free, family-friendly live events featuring inclusive children's stories, original music, dance parties, and themed crafts led by Mrs. Kasha Davis, as well as special events like the Season Soirée and Breaking the Binary Burlesque performance.
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New Play Development Programs 1 activity
- Host public play reading seriesOperates the Hourglass Play Reading Series, a free public program that presents readings of thought-provoking plays exploring culturally relevant themes and diverse stories, with actors cast through auditions.
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Performing Arts Ticket Access Programs 1 activity
- Offer theatre subscriptions and ticket programsOffers multiple ticketing options including a 6-show seated subscription, Flex Passes with 3 or 4 tickets, single tickets, student tickets, group discounts, and special rates for NYSUT members and subscribers to support access to its productions.
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Professional Theatrical Production 1 activity
- Produce and promote professional theatrical performancesProduces and promotes full-scale theatrical productions in downtown Rochester, NY, including plays and musicals such as "Eureka Day" and "Men on Boats," performed at its theatre located at 795 East Main Street since 2009.
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Arts and Cultural Workforce Training 1 activity
- Provide internships in theatre production and leadershipOffers internships in technical theatre, stage management, and artistic leadership for theatre students pursuing professional careers, providing hands-on training and mentorship.
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Youth Theater Arts Education 1 activity
- Provide theatre-based education and training programsOffers educational programs including a summer intensive for high school and college students, directing workshops, stage management bootcamps, body positivity dance workshops, and a virtual play-focused book club to build artistic skills and community engagement.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$648K
Contributions & grants$342K53%
Program service revenue$292K45%
Investment income$1K0%
Other revenue$13K
expenses
Total expenses$495K
Program expenses71%
Admin / overhead15%
Fundraising13%
Salaries & benefits$142K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$410K
Cash$332K
Investments$0
Liabilities$87K
Net assets$322K
Liquid reserves8.1 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +51.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 7
- CYNTHIA BRITO — BOARD MEMBER
- JONATHAN NTHEKETHA — BOARD MEMBER
- MANDI GRIFFITH — PRESIDENT
- MARISSA DELVECHHIO — BOARD MEMBER
- SHARON VANDEZANDE — SECRETARY
- STEPHANIE PARADES — BOARD MEMBER
- TREVOR HUBBLE — TREASURER
relationships · 10
Who they work with
- ARTISANworks Partner — Hosts the Season Soirée event at its Vertigo Room venue.
- Blackfriars Theatre Network — Hourglass Play Reading Series is an official program of Blackfriars Theatre.
- Breaking the Binary Burlesque Partner — Collaborating partner for burlesque and performance events.
- CITY Newspaper Partner — Collaborates to announce upcoming auditions and productions.
- Donor-advised funds Partner — Accepts contributions from donor-advised funds as a form of charitable giving.
- Fish & Crown Creative Partner — Collaborated on filming a four-episode season of the Imagination Station television pilot.
- Fish & Crown Creative Partner — Collaborates with Blackfriars Theatre to produce a television version of Imagination Station with Mrs. Kasha Davis.
- MBS Cleaning Solutions Partner — Sponsors the Imagination Station with Mrs. Kasha Davis program.
- NYSUT Partner — Provides discounted ticket access to members of the New York State United Teachers union.
- Trillium Health Partner — Sponsors the Imagination Station with Mrs. Kasha Davis program.
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.
- Arts-Based Education for Youth Developmentmethodology: arts-based-educationBy using theatre, drag performance, and storytelling in educational contexts, we teach children values such as acceptance, authenticity, and kindness, because experiential arts programming fosters emotional learning and builds empathy across diverse backgrounds.
- Audience Engagement in Artistic Programmingmethodology: audience-voted-programmingBy involving audiences in selecting musicals through a fundraising-driven voting mechanism, we increase community investment in the season, because participatory decision-making strengthens audience ownership and financial support for the arts.
- Inclusive Casting for Representation and Social Inquirymethodology: inclusive_castingBy using color and gender-conscious casting practices, we produce theatrical productions that challenge dominant historical narratives and foster inclusive communities, because diverse representation on stage enables critical examination of societal norms and promotes equity in storytelling.
- Theatre as a Method for Social and Ethical Explorationmethodology: theater-for-social-inquiryBy producing performances that use storytelling and satirical reinterpretation, we engage audiences in examining societal challenges and conflicting beliefs, because theatre creates a shared space for meaning-making and critical reflection on issues like misinformation and consensus.