irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $81KCO_LAB Connect: Our outreach program delivers on-site residencies and workshops for schools, agencies, and centers serving individuals with developmental disabilities, including NYC District 75 Public Schools. working with partners to offer inclusive, accessible programming for those for whom travel poses a barrier. Current and recent partners include Camp PALS, The Guild for Exceptional Children, Heartshare, AHRC, The Cooke School, Lincoln Center, NYC Autism Charter School, and P.S. 811X, among others.
- #2 $24KCO_LAB Leaders: Guided by the Disability Justice Tenet Nothing about us, without us, our Leaders program provides seasoned CO_LAB actors with paid professional development and employment opportunities. Leaders are paid up to $45 an hour, more than double New York City's minimum wage, and are employed to support classes, represent CO_LAB at community events, network with theater professionals, co-facilitate Sharing the Stage, our professional development workshop that promotes accessible practices for external organizations, and engage in long-term planning of our organization's future.
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
CO_LAB Connect
Outreach program delivering on-site theater residencies and workshops to schools and community centers across NYC, including District 75 Public Schools and partner agencies, to increase access for those with transportation barriers.
CO_LAB Core
Free weekly theater classes for individuals with I/DD, structured in three levels (Act I, II, III) that build artistic skills and culminate in original performances. Classes are offered in Manhattan and Brooklyn with a 2:1 participant-to-support ratio.
CO_LAB Leaders
Professional development program that employs experienced CO_LAB actors as paid leaders to support classes, co-facilitate workshops, represent the organization at events, and contribute to long-term planning.
CO_LAB Tours
Professional touring initiative where adult CO_LAB actors perform original theater in NYC schools serving students with I/DD, featuring live performances, talkbacks, and optional workshops led by CO_LAB teaching artists.
Directing Lab
Program that trains CO_LAB actors to step into creative leadership roles as directors, with the long-term vision of fully artist-led productions across all disciplines.
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Art Programs for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities 3 activities
- Directing Lab for aspiring artist-directors with I/DDRuns the Directing Lab, a program that trains experienced CO_LAB artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities to become theater directors, supporting their growth into creative leadership roles within the organization.
- Original theater production and performance by artists with I/DDProduces and presents original theatrical works created and performed by adult artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including immersive musicals, puppetry shows, and ensemble-devised performances. These productions tour publicly and are showcased locally, with recent examples including "There Used To Be a Forest Here," "The Sensational Senses," and "The Fabulist: Tales from The Hearth."
- Weekly theater classes for individuals with developmental disabilitiesOffers free or low-cost weekly theater classes at multiple locations in New York City, including ART/NY Studios in Midtown Manhattan and Fort Greene, Brooklyn, for individuals of all ages with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Classes follow a structured curriculum involving warm-ups, theater games, dance parties, and collaborative creation of original performances, with semester-long and year-long programs culminating in public showcases.
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Organized Member Social Events 1 activity
- Community engagement and social events for participantsHosts seasonal and annual community-building events such as Bingo Night, Movie Night, Karaoke, Winter WonderFest, and Encore—a group trip to attend live theater with behind-the-scenes access—enabling participants to connect across ensembles and engage with the broader NYC theater arts community.
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Benefit Events for Arts and Culture 1 activity
- Fundraising benefit performancesHosts annual fundraising events, including the Spring Benefit and The Getaway CO_LABaret, featuring performances by CO_LAB actors and teaching artists, often with a headlining guest performer, to support free access to theater programs for hundreds of participants in New York City.
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Leadership Development Programs 1 activity
- Leadership development and paid mentoring for experienced artists with I/DDProvides leadership development, professional training, and paid employment opportunities for experienced CO_LAB actors with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including co-facilitating workshops, serving as camp counselors for Camp BlueLAB, modeling curriculum in classrooms, assisting in orientations, and contributing to programming and strategic planning.
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Arts Education Access Programs 1 activity
- School and community outreach through touring and residenciesDelivers on-site theater residencies, workshops, and interactive performances to schools (including NYC District 75) and community centers across all five boroughs of New York City through the CO_LAB Connect and CO_LAB Tours programs. Services include one-day workshops, multi-week residencies, 30-minute live performances with educational materials, talkbacks, touch tours, and livestream options to increase accessibility.
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Arts Education Professional Development 1 activity
- Training and capacity building for external organizationsCo-facilitates workshops such as Sharing the Stage to build capacity among other organizations seeking to create inclusive theater programs with people with developmental disabilities, and participates in panels and presentations at colleges to promote inclusive arts practices.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$788K
Contributions & grants$699K89%
Program service revenue$69K9%
Investment income$7820%
Other revenue$19K
expenses
Total expenses$759K
Program expenses63%
Admin / overhead31%
Fundraising7%
Salaries & benefits$588K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$283K
Cash$86K
Investments$0
Liabilities$26K
Net assets$257K
Liquid reserves1.4 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +113.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| David Shane | Executive Director | 40 | $18K |
board members · 9
- Christopher Tusciuk — Director
- Daniel Soleimani — Director
- Jennifer O'Neill — Director
- Katie Sweeney — Director
- Keith Zar — President
- Kevin Bradley — Director
- Kyle Wright — Director
- Lloyd Newell — Treasurer
- Rachael Okun — Director
relationships · 40
Who they work with
- AHRC Partner — Partner organization receiving on-site theater residencies and workshops through CO_LAB Connect.
- ART/NY Studios Partner — Hosts CO_LAB Core programs at two locations in New York City.
- Ascent Physical Therapy Partner — Encore Sponsor of CO_LAB Theater Group for the 2025/26 season.
- Becky Beary Partner — Co-Founder and former Executive Director honored as Artistic CO_LABorator of the Year.
- Bluelaces Theater Company Partner — Collaborated to develop Camp BlueLAB, a two-week summer program for youth actors with disabilities.
- Bluelaces Theater Company Partner — Collaborated to develop Camp BlueLAB, a two-week summer theater program for youth with disabilities.
- Camp PALS Partner — Partner organization receiving on-site theater residencies and workshops through CO_LAB Connect.
- David Lancelle Partner — Collaborator on the creation of the original musical "There Used To Be a Forest Here," contributing book, music, and lyrics.
- Heartshare Partner — Partner organization receiving on-site theater residencies and workshops through CO_LAB Connect.
- Impact 100 NYC Funder — Foundation funder supporting CO_LAB Theater Group’s programs.
- Joseph DePietro Partner — Co-director of the original musical "There Used To Be a Forest Here."
- Keith “Kaz” Zar Partner — Board Chair honored as Community CO_LABorator of the Year.
- Laura Borgwardt Partner — Co-director of the original musical "There Used To Be a Forest Here."
- Liam Pearce Partner — Headlining guest performer at The Getaway CO_LABaret benefit.
- Lily Auchincloss Foundation Funder — Foundation funder supporting CO_LAB Theater Group’s programs.
- Lincoln Center Partner — Partner organization receiving on-site theater residencies and workshops through CO_LAB Connect.
- Louchheim Foundation Funder — Foundation funder supporting CO_LAB Theater Group’s programs.
- Maddie Rostami Partner — Senior Program Manager responsible for coordinating accessibility accommodations for performances.
- Maddie Rostami Partner — Senior Program Manager who coordinates accommodation requests for performances.
- Melissa Zar-Lieberman Partner — Associate Board Chair honored as Community CO_LABorator of the Year.
- NYC Autism Charter School Partner — Partner organization receiving on-site theater residencies and workshops through CO_LAB Connect.
- NYC Department of Cultural Affairs Government — Provides public funds to CO_LAB Theater Group in partnership with the City Council.
- National Endowment for the Arts Government — Provides public funding support to CO_LAB Theater Group.
- New York Community Trust Funder — Foundation funder supporting CO_LAB Theater Group’s programs.
- New York State Council on the Arts Government — Provides public funding support to CO_LAB Theater Group with the support of the Governor and New York State Legislature.
- Off-Broadway theaters Partner — Collaborates with Off-Broadway theaters to provide workshops and show outings for CO/LAB participants.
- P.S. 811X Partner — Partner organization receiving on-site theater residencies and workshops through CO_LAB Connect.
- Patrick Thompson Partner — Collaborator on the creation of the original musical "There Used To Be a Forest Here," contributing book, music, and lyrics.
- Pierre and Tana Matisse Foundation Funder — Foundation funder supporting CO_LAB Theater Group’s programs.
- Stavros Niarchos Foundation Funder — Foundation funder supporting CO_LAB Theater Group’s programs.
+ 10 more
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.
- Disability Justice Leadership Modelmethodology: nothing_about_us_without_usBy centering leadership, program delivery, and organizational planning within the lived experience of individuals with developmental disabilities, the organization produces transformative personal and systemic outcomes because it adheres to the Disability Justice principle of "Nothing about us without us," which ensures authentic representation and builds self-determination.
- Inclusive Theater as Transformative Practicemethodology: theater-for-transformationBy using theater—particularly immersive, devised, and musical storytelling—as a collaborative and sensory-engaged art form, the organization fosters confidence, self-expression, and expanded life possibilities for individuals with developmental disabilities because creative participation in a supported, judgment-free environment enables identity exploration and emotional growth.
- Peer-Powered Neuro-Inclusive Environmentmethodology: peer-mentorship-leadershipBy creating a safe, judgment-free, neuro-diverse space where peer mentorship and mutual connection are central, the organization increases engagement, leadership development, and skill acquisition because individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities thrive when supported by relatable role models and inclusive social dynamics.
- Universal Access Through Financial and Sensory Inclusionmethodology: universal_accessBy removing financial barriers through free or low-cost programming and adapting performances and instruction for sensory needs (e.g., relaxed environments, visual agendas), the organization increases equitable participation because accessibility across economic and neurological dimensions enables broader engagement from historically excluded communities.