named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
East Harlem Repertory Theater
Produces 15 annual educational performances on themes like Black History Month and Women’s History Month for inner-city audiences
Remembering Our Heroes
Program honoring 9/11 first responders through storytelling and visual tributes during performances
The 5 Dollar Play
Low-cost theater program offering $5 tickets to educational and culturally relevant plays for school-aged children and senior citizens
The Firehouse Circus
Live circus-style theatrical performance blending fire safety lessons with entertainment, featuring The Rappin’ Fireman as ringmaster
The Rappin’ Fireman
Fire safety education program using rap music, puppets, robots, and a vintage fire truck to teach children about fire prevention and water conservation
Youth Repertory Theater
Offers low-cost after-school drama classes to inner-city school-aged children, culminating in public performances
activities · 3 groups
What they do
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Youth Theater Arts Education 2 activities
- Producing and touring affordable live theater for underserved communitiesProduces and presents live theatrical and educational entertainment through programs such as the Five Dollar Play, FireHouse Circus, and East Harlem Repertory Theatre, offering performances at low or no cost to inner-city children, seniors, people with disabilities, and low-socioeconomic individuals. Performances occur in accessible venues across all five boroughs of New York City and the metropolitan area, with a cumulative audience of approximately 45,000 since 2009.
- Providing drama education and performance opportunities for youth and artistsOffers low-cost after-school drama classes and free summer theatrical performances for inner-city school-aged children, while creating employment and performance opportunities for struggling adult actors and theatrical staff. These programs support both youth development and the livelihoods of gifted performers.
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Fire Safety Education & Prevention 1 activity
- Delivering fire safety education through live theatrical performancesProvides fire safety education to children across New York State, New Jersey, and the United States using live theatrical performances such as "The Rappin’ Fireman and His Safety Friends," which incorporate puppets, music, songs, robots, and storytelling. The program has reached over 40,000 New York City children annually and is supported by educational materials including coloring books, books, and videos.
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Disaster and Line-of-Duty Memorialization 1 activity
- Operating the Remembering Our Heroes program to honor 9/11 first respondersRuns the Remembering Our Heroes program within the Rappin’ Fireman performance, using storytelling and pictures to honor the memory of 9/11 first responders. This initiative is integrated into live theatrical productions to educate children and preserve the legacy of fallen heroes.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$249K
Contributions & grants$73K29%
Program service revenue$23K9%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$153K
expenses
Total expenses$230K
Program expenses0%
Admin / overhead100%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineOther
balance sheet
Total assets$11K
Cash$11K
Investments$0
Liabilities$0
Net assets$11K
Liquid reserves0.6 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +25.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 4
- John Ruiz Miranda — Vice President
- Marlon Ruiz — Secretary
- Melanie Ruiz — Treasurer
- Yolanda Brooks — President
relationships · 10
Who they work with
- DOE Government — Vendor for the Department of Education, providing services to schools.
- East Harlem Repertory Theatre Partner — Collaborates on theater programming for youth.
- Internal Revenue Service Government — Recognized as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization
- NYC Parks Dept Partner — Hosts summer performances at outdoor parks and theaters managed by the NYC Parks Department.
- NYC Public Libraries Partner — Hosts summer performances at public library locations across New York City.
- New York City Fire Department Government — Adopted and used The Rappin’ Fireman Fire Safety Program until John Ruiz's retirement in 2001.
- New York City Housing Authority Partner — Hosts summer performances at NYCHA centers.
- The Firehouse Circus Partner — Collaborative program created by John Ruiz that integrates fire safety education into circus performances.
- The5dollarplay.com Partner — Collaborative project providing affordable theater access to school-aged children and seniors in New York City.
- the5dollarplay.com Partner — Collaborates to offer theatrical performances.
strategies · 3
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.
- Culturally Relevant Arts-Based Educationmethodology: culturally_relevant_education_through_artsBy delivering fire safety and remembrance education through culturally relevant theatrical and artistic content, we strengthen community connection and message retention because the material resonates more deeply with audience identities and lived experiences.
- Edutainment Through Circus Artsmethodology: edutainmentBy integrating fire safety education into circus performances and theatrical entertainment, we engage children more effectively because the novelty and excitement of live circus arts increase attention, retention, and emotional connection to the safety messages.
- Storytelling for Public Remembrance and Connectionmethodology: storytellingBy using storytelling and visual narratives in performances, we honor 9/11 heroes and foster public remembrance because emotionally resonant stories create lasting connections and deepen civic meaning.