irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $3.16MTHEATER SCHOOL:OPERATED IN ASSOCIATION WITH NEW YORK UNIVERSITY'S TISCH SCHOOL OF THE ARTS, THIS UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM OFFERS TRAINING IN PLAYWRITING, DIRECTING, ACTING, VOICE AND THEATER MANAGEMENT. THE THEATER SCHOOL HAD 186 STUDENTS IN THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2025.
- #2 $1.41MPLAYWRIGHTS REHEARSAL STUDIOS:WHEN NOT IN USE BY THE SCHOOL, PLAYWRIGHTS REHEARSAL STUDIOS ARE AVAILABLE FOR RENT AT AFFORDABLE RATES TO HUNDREDS OF ARTS AND EDUCATION NON-PROFITS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS EACH YEAR, AS WELL AS TO INDIVIDUAL AND COMMERCIAL GROUPS.
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Developmental Programs
Series of programs supporting the creation of new works by emerging and established playwrights and musical theater artists
Full Productions
Annual season of five to six full theatrical productions showcasing new works; 2026/27 season includes nine new works across six productions
Gala: The Play
Annual fundraising event featuring original one-night-only plays created live by playwrights using audience prompts, including musical performances and honors for alumni
Playwrights Rehearsal Studios
Rehearsal spaces available for affordable rental to arts nonprofits, educational organizations, and commercial groups when not in use by the Theater School
Theater School
Undergraduate training program in association with NYU Tisch School of the Arts offering instruction in playwriting, directing, acting, voice, and theater management; served 186 students in 2025
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Benefit Events for Arts and Culture 1 activity
- Hosting annual celebratory and creative eventsHosts an annual gala to celebrate the Playwrights Horizons Theater School and honor its alumni, including the live event "Gala: The Play," where playwrights create original works based on audience prompts, incorporating musical components.
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Youth Theater Arts Education 1 activity
- Operating a professional theater training programOperates an undergraduate theater school in partnership with New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, offering training in playwriting, directing, acting, voice, and theater management, serving 186 students in the year ending June 30, 2025.
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Performing Arts Ticket Access Programs 1 activity
- Operating a subscription and ticketing programOffers a Flex Pass or Membership for access to six productions in the 2026/27 season and provides a ticket exchange service subject to availability and fees.
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Professional Theatrical Production 1 activity
- Producing new theatrical worksProduces and stages new plays, with nine new works scheduled for the upcoming season beginning in September.
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Subsidized Rehearsal and Performance Space 1 activity
- Providing affordable rehearsal studio spaceMakes rehearsal studios available for rent at affordable rates to hundreds of arts and education nonprofits, community organizations, and individual or commercial groups each year when not in use by its own programs.
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Literary and Cultural Publishing 1 activity
- Publishing artist-generated literary and critical contentProduces and publishes Almanac Vol. 4, a collection of articles, essays, interviews, poems, letters, and manifestos by contributing artists reflecting on recent productions such as Stereophonic, Sad Boys in Harpy Land, School Pictures, Amusements, Teeth, and Staff Meal.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Providing marketing and ticketing servicesOffers email marketing resources to other performing arts organizations and sells tickets for Playwrights Horizons, Inc., following its transition from a centralized low-cost box office role.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$14.67M
Contributions & grants$7.89M54%
Program service revenue$6.49M44%
Investment income$31K0%
Other revenue$255K
expenses
Total expenses$14.23M
Program expenses85%
Admin / overhead7%
Fundraising8%
Salaries & benefits$7.28M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$46.60M
Cash$1.70M
Investments$159K
Liabilities$23.88M
Net assets$22.71M
Liquid reserves1.6 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +4.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 9
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LESLIE MARCUS | MANAGING DIRECTOR (TO JUN 24) | 40 | $378K |
| ADAM GREENFIELD | ARTISTIC DIRECTOR | 40 | $188K |
| CAROL FISHMAN | GENERAL MANAGER | 40 | $185K |
| BENJAMIN WEISMAN | DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR | 40 | $156K |
| NICOLE WEE | THEATER DIRECTOR | 40 | $138K |
| NATASHA SINHA | ASSOCIATE ARTISTIC DIR. | 40 | $116K |
| HOJAE LEE | CONTROLLER (TO NOV 24) | 21 | $80K |
| CASEY YORK | MANAGING DIRECTOR (AS OF AUG 24) | 1 | $74K |
| YI-CHEN LAI | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE (AS OF SEP 24) | 40 | $39K |
board members · 16
- ALAN POUL — BOARD MEMBER
- ALEX HALPERN LEVY — VICE CHAIRMAN
- BRYCE L FRIEDMAN — BOARD MEMBER
- CANDICE COOK SIMMONS — BOARD MEMBER
- DANA M SESHENS — BOARD MEMBER
- ERIC M GURAL — BOARD MEMBER
- ETHAN GETO — BOARD MEMBER
- EVAN COLES — BOARD MEMBER
- FELL GRAY — BOARD MEMBER
- JASON WU — BOARD MEMBER
- JIDE ZEITLIN — BOARD MEMBER
- JILL CROVITZ — BOARD MEMBER
- JUDITH O RUBIN — CHAIR EMERITUS
- JULIET MOSER — SECRETARY
- KATRINA MCCANN — BOARD MEMBER
- KELLY G GRIFFIN — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 13
Who they work with
- Agnes Borinsky Partner — Playwright and Mainstage writer associated with Playwrights Horizons who creates original work at the gala.
- Ana Fabrega Partner — Contributing artist providing written content for Almanac Vol. 4.
- David Byrne Partner — Contributing artist providing written content for Almanac Vol. 4.
- Eisa Davis Partner — Contributing artist providing written content for Almanac Vol. 4.
- Jaclyn Backhaus Partner — Playwright and alumna of the Playwrights Horizons Theater School who creates original work at the gala.
- Justin Levine Partner — Composer and writer with Tony and GRAMMY Award nominations who contributes musical work at the gala.
- Leslye Headland Partner — Honored alumnus of the Playwrights Horizons Theater School recognized at annual gala.
- Nathan Alan Davis Partner — Contributing artist providing written content for Almanac Vol. 4.
- New York University's Tisch School of the Arts Partner — Collaborates in operating the undergraduate Theater School offering training in playwriting, directing, acting, voice, and theater management.
- Raúl Esparza Partner — Featured performer at the annual gala event.
- Susan Choi Partner — Contributing artist providing written content for Almanac Vol. 4.
- Todd London Partner — Contributing artist providing written content for Almanac Vol. 4.
- phamilyseats@phnyc.org Partner — Email channel used for Patron and Gen PH Member ticket exchange requests.
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.
- Artist-Centered Development and Productionmethodology: artist_development_and_productionBy developing and producing new works through structured support for playwrights and theater artists, we cultivate original, high-impact theater because sustained artistic investment leads to bolder, more urgent voices reaching the stage.
- Audience-Integrated Theater Creationmethodology: audience_participatory_theater_creationBy incorporating real-time audience input into live performances, we deepen engagement and co-authorship because participatory formats create a shared sense of ownership and immediacy in new work.
- Reflective Artistic Practicemethodology: artist-centered_reflectionBy inviting playwrights and artists to reflect on their work through essays, interviews, and manifestos, we strengthen the developmental ecosystem because critical reflection enhances artistic growth and public understanding of new work.