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LETTER OF MARQUE THEATER
Brooklyn, NY · EIN 463276178 · Form 990 · FY2020 · NTEE A65 · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Micro (<$100K) · lomtheater.org
revenue
$21K
expenses
$24K
net assets
$12K
employees
0
program ratio
55%
mission · from form 990

THE PURPOSE OF LETTER OF MARQUE THEATER, INC. IS TO CREATE APPROACHABLE AND DYNAMIC THEATER AT LITTLE OR NO COST TO ITS AUDIENCE

profile · synthesized from sources

Brooklyn-based theater company creating accessible, socially engaged performances through an ensemble-driven approach. Produces original and classical works, often exploring themes of morality, gender, and social justice, with a commitment to offering shows at little or no cost to audiences. Founded by long-time collaborators and rooted in multidisciplinary collaboration with musicians, visual artists, and actors.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2020

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $3K
    Playwrights Lab, playwrights-in-residence develops an original text using Letter of Marque Theater Co's ensemble approach. The outcome will be a playwright trained to function as a member of a creative ensemble.
  2. #2 $85
    Brooklyn Improv Training- A program that teaches the fundamentals of Improvisation using an ensemble approach and focusing on collective success, on stage and off.
named programs · 6 · from sources

What they call their work

Brooklyn Improv Training
Program teaching fundamentals of improvisation using an ensemble approach focused on collective success, both on stage and off
Don’t Feed the Cats
Original punk rock musical based on Phil Nerges’s memoir, depicting civilian contractors in Iraq and exploring themes of humanity during war
Double Falsehood
Workshop production of the Shakespeare-attributed play, used as a platform to explore contemporary issues including rape culture, gender roles, and victim shaming
Gifts
Original holiday play extending O. Henry’s "The Gift of the Magi," following a couple’s evolving relationship over time, with live music and immersive design elements
Playwrights Lab
Residency program for playwrights to develop original texts using the company's ensemble approach, resulting in trained playwrights capable of collaborative creation
The Lieutenant's Lab
Weekly artist training program offering free instruction in voice, improvisation, devising, and collaborative script development; participants volunteer in exchange for training
activities · 13 groups

What they do

  • Arts Professional Advocacy & Equity Initiatives 1 activity
    • Advance social justice through public advocacy
      Issues public statements affirming solidarity with Black communities and shares resource lists supporting Black Lives Matter and related social justice efforts, using theater as a platform for advocacy and awareness.
  • Leadership Development Programs 1 activity
    • Deliver corporate improv and team-building workshops
      Provides custom-tailored corporate workshops using experiential improv games and exercises to help teams achieve goals, build communication, and enhance collaboration.
  • Community Safety and Conduct Enforcement 1 activity
    • Ensure safe and respectful program environments
      Establishes and enforces standards of trust, safety, open communication, and respect; provides mechanisms for reporting discomfort or offense, investigates complaints in accordance with NYC Human Rights Law, and reports crimes such as sexual assault to authorities.
  • Arts Education Scholarships 1 activity
    • Fund equity-focused scholarships for improv training
      Funds free tuition scholarships for improv classes specifically for individuals who identify as BIPoC and/or LGBTQIA+, supporting equitable access to arts education and training.
  • Nonprofit Retail and Merchandise Sales 1 activity
    • Generate revenue through merchandise sales
      Sells merchandise to generate revenue that supports artist compensation and operational sustainability.
  • Live Music Performances & Concerts 1 activity
    • Host Swordraiser performance events
      Organizes themed performance parties featuring ensemble and guest artists, such as "Swordraiser X: Curiosity Kilt the Cat," to support productions and tours while fostering community gathering, performance opportunities, and networking.
  • New Play Development Programs 1 activity
    • Host residency programs for playwrights
      Runs the Ensemble Playwright Lab, a residency program offering two playwrights annually 21 hours of collaborative development with the ensemble, including a $150 honorarium and culminating in public showings and talkbacks; supports the creation and reimagining of theatrical works through structured, rehearsal-based collaboration.
  • Music Education and Training Programs 1 activity
    • Offer Brooklyn Improv Training courses
      Provides structured courses in ensemble improvisation that teach skills for spontaneously creating group performance work, using experiential, on-your-feet methods to build collective success and performance readiness.
  • Community Event Fundraising 1 activity
    • Organize Ka-Bingo! fundraising events
      Hosts karaoke bingo mashup events (Ka-Bingo!) that generate tax-deductible proceeds to support the organization’s operations and artistic programming.
  • Professional Theatrical Production 1 activity
    • Produce innovative theatrical works
      Produces original plays, Shakespeare, classic literature, cabarets, and interdisciplinary collaborations, including full productions such as "Double Falsehood" and touring performances like "Bully Me Down" and "Whet Willy’s Short Wave Radio Show," with an emphasis on social impact and accessibility at little or no cost to audiences.
  • Community-Engaged Theater Production 1 activity
    • Promote audience engagement with social change
      Creates and produces theater intended to challenge audience perspectives and inspire engagement with social change, aligning artistic work with broader societal impact.
  • Youth Theater Arts Education 1 activity
    • Provide ensemble artist training and development
      Offers ongoing rehearsal-based training through The Lieutenants Lab Ensemble Training and rehearsal labs led by co-founders, teaching improvisation, voice, devising, and collaborative script development, with participants contributing volunteer support in lieu of tuition; includes experiential, on-your-feet methods to build ensemble capacity and generate new performance works.
  • Uncategorized 2 activities
    • Offer subscriber benefits for event access
      Provides subscribers with early access to tickets and exclusive updates about upcoming events to support audience engagement and retention.
    • Provide private event comedy entertainment
      Offers comedy performances for private events through the BIT House Team, delivering tailored entertainment experiences.
financials · form 990 · fy2020
revenue
Total revenue$21K
Contributions & grants$19K91%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$2K
expenses
Total expenses$24K
Program expenses55%
Admin / overhead45%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$19K
Cash$2K
Investments$0
Liabilities$7K
Net assets$12K
Liquid reserves1.2 mo
2 years on record · 2019–2020 · YoY revenue -10.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2020

Who runs it

board members · 12
  • CHRISTOPHER GILLARD — BOARD MEMBER
  • DEBRA BRENMAN — BOARD MEMBER
  • GLEN STISKAL — BOARD MEMBER
  • JOHANNA SCHMITT — BOARD MEMBER
  • KENNY CHUNG — BOARD MEMBER
  • LYNDE ROSARIO — SECRETARY
  • MELISSA GEORGES — BOARD MEMBER
  • MICKEY PALMS — BOARD MEMBER
  • NOLAN KENNEDY — DECK CAPTAIN
  • SCARLET MARESSA RIVERA — Treasurer
  • STEVEN BRENMAN — VICE PRESIDENT
  • WELLAND H SCRIPPS — President
relationships · 36

Who they work with

  • Adam Grodner Partner — Monthly contributor supporting the creation of art offered at little or no cost
  • Amanda Hinkle-Wallace Partner — Monthly contributor supporting the creation of art offered at little or no cost
  • Amanda Roberts Partner — Monthly contributor supporting the creation of art offered at little or no cost
  • Brian Sulkow Partner — Monthly contributor supporting the creation of art offered at little or no cost
  • Brooklyn Improv Training Partner — Program offering ensemble improvisation training developed and operated by Letter of Marque Theater.
  • Co-founders (the Captains) Partner — Co-founders lead Lab rehearsals to guide artistic development and ensemble growth.
  • Crystal-Marie Alberson Partner — Monthly contributor supporting the creation of art offered at little or no cost
  • Damen Scranton Partner — Monthly contributor supporting the creation of art offered at little or no cost
  • Emma Kelly Partner — Monthly contributor supporting the creation of art offered at little or no cost
  • Ensemble Playwright Lab Partner — Residency program run by Letter of Marque Theater for playwrights to collaborate with the ensemble on new works.
  • Facebook Partner — Uses Facebook as a platform to connect with audiences and share updates.
  • Glenn Alan Stiskal Partner — Monthly contributor at higher level supporting the creation of art offered at little or no cost
  • Harrison House Partner — Hosted Letter of Marque Theater Company as Artists-In-Residence and provided venue for performances and workshops.
  • Irma Rivera Partner — Monthly contributor supporting the creation of art offered at little or no cost
  • Jack Kennedy Partner — Monthly contributor at higher level supporting the creation of art offered at little or no cost
  • Jacqueline Paduano Partner — Monthly contributor supporting the creation of art offered at little or no cost
  • Jenna Lee Partner — Monthly contributor supporting the creation of art offered at little or no cost
  • Jessica L Cermak Partner — Monthly contributor supporting the creation of art offered at little or no cost
  • Johanna Partner — Monthly contributor at higher level supporting the creation of art offered at little or no cost
  • Julie Campus Partner — Monthly contributor supporting the creation of art offered at little or no cost
  • Kelson Ayers Partner — Monthly contributor at higher level supporting the creation of art offered at little or no cost
  • Lynde Rosario Partner — Monthly contributor at higher level supporting the creation of art offered at little or no cost
  • Marie Karcher Partner — Monthly contributor supporting the creation of art offered at little or no cost
  • Melissa Georges Partner — Monthly contributor at higher level supporting the creation of art offered at little or no cost
  • NYC Human Rights Law Government — Complies with and conducts investigations in accordance with NYC Human Rights Law.
  • Nolan Kennedy Partner — Monthly contributor at higher level supporting the creation of art offered at little or no cost
  • PayPal Giving Fund Funder — Processes donations to Letter of Marque Theater and enables tax-deductible giving via PayPal.
  • Rosanne Nelson Partner — Monthly contributor supporting the creation of art offered at little or no cost
  • Sarah C Ryan Partner — Monthly contributor supporting the creation of art offered at little or no cost
  • Scarlet Rivera Partner — Monthly contributor at higher level supporting the creation of art offered at little or no cost
+ 6 more
strategies · 5

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.

  • Artistic Freedom with Accountability to Sustain Creative Integrity
    methodology: artistic_freedom_with_accountability
    By supporting artistic exploration while setting boundaries against abuse or derision, we maintain a safe and productive creative environment, because freedom within ethical limits encourages risk-taking without compromising respect or inclusion.
  • Blind Selection to Promote Equity in Artist Access
    methodology: blind-selection
    By using anonymous submission processes for residency selection, we reduce systemic bias and broaden access for playwrights, because removing identifying information levels the playing field and supports a more diverse range of voices.
  • Ensemble-Based Theater as Community-Building
    methodology: ensemble_culture
    By using ensemble-based theater rooted in trust, safety, and mutual respect, we create inclusive and accessible artistic communities that foster dialogue and collective success, because shared creative responsibility strengthens social bonds and lowers barriers to participation.
  • Experiential Improvisation Training for Collective Creation
    methodology: experiential_improv_training
    By grounding training in the methods of Spolin, Johnstone, and Close through an experiential, on-your-feet approach, we cultivate ensemble cohesion and spontaneous group creation, because immersive improvisation fosters presence, suspends judgment, and prioritizes group dynamics over individual performance.
  • Theater as a Tool for Social Change Through Dialogue
    methodology: theater-for-social-change
    By creating re-imagined and satirical theater that engages artists, activists, and audiences, we foster learning and social activation, because performance that challenges norms sparks dialogue and makes social commentary accessible through entertainment.