named programs · 7 · from sources
What they call their work
A Brooklyn Carol
Brooklyn-themed adaptation of Charles Dickens’ "A Christmas Carol," featuring music and local cultural elements.
FRANKENSTEIN: A Modern Pickler
Devised theater production blending Mary Shelley’s "Frankenstein" with humor, music, and pickleball, showcasing Brooklyn creativity and cast-driven storytelling.
O Sister!
Modern adaptation of Homer’s "Odyssey" set in New York City, featuring a diverse cast of performers with developmental disabilities navigating iconic city locations.
Peter Pan, Inc.
Reimagined production of "Peter Pan" set on Coney Island, exploring community and neighborhood identity through music, dance, and theater.
Power to the People: A Snow White Story
Reinterpretation of "Snow White" with revolutionary themes, performed by a cast of 30 adults with developmental disabilities at BRIC.
Tempest
Collaborative performance combining Shakespeare’s "The Tempest" and Aimé Césaire’s "A Tempest," presented in outdoor and indoor venues with inclusive audience access.
Two Gents
Adaptation of Shakespeare's "Two Gentlemen of Verona" performed in outdoor garden settings, featuring a cast of actors with developmental disabilities.
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Dance Performance and Community Engagement 1 activity
- Maintains a therapeutic dance program integrated into large-scale productionsOperates an ongoing dance program foundational to the organization's work, including the Dance Collaborative, which debuted at the 20th Anniversary Gala in 2018 and contributes to major theatrical performances.
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Arts and Cultural Workforce Training 1 activity
- Operates specialized programs to develop professional theater skills and employment pathwaysRuns The EmployAbility Project, launched in 2018, which trains participants in professional theater roles such as choreography, stage management, script-writing, and directing. Supports career advancement, including placements in film and television productions like "Good Time" and "American Horror Story: NYC."
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Free Outdoor & Community Theater Productions 1 activity
- Presents community outreach and accessible public performancesHosts public theatrical events in accessible outdoor and cultural venues such as BRIC, Hudson River Park’s Pier 84, and Madison Square Garden, offering donation-based admission to ensure inclusivity. Performances include scenes from larger productions and site-specific presentations like “Gatsby’s party out in West Egg.”
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Community-Engaged Theater Production 1 activity
- Produces original and adapted theatrical performances featuring performers with developmental disabilitiesCreates and stages full-length theatrical productions, including original works and adaptations of classics such as Shakespeare, annually at off-off Broadway venues and outdoor spaces. Engages 35 adults with unique abilities as cast members and aims to challenge stereotypes about developmental disabilities through performance.
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Documentary Film Production 1 activity
- Produces short films starring individuals with developmental disabilitiesCollaborates with NYC-based creatives to produce award-winning short films, such as "Ordinary World," that feature performers with developmental disabilities. The films have received recognition at international festivals, including the Independent Shorts Awards.
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Art Programs for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities 1 activity
- Provides performing and creative arts education for adults with developmental disabilitiesOffers training in comedy, song, dance, music, and improvisation to adults with developmental disabilities, fostering artistic and personal growth. Programs include biweekly rehearsals in downtown Brooklyn and skill-building through original theatrical productions.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$124K
Contributions & grants$106K86%
Program service revenue$18K14%
Investment income——
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$130K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$14K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$13K
3 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +5.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kendra Heisler | Director | 10 | $10K |
relationships · 21
Who they work with
- Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre Partner — Performance venue for DreamStreet cast productions.
- American Horror Story: NYC Partner — Participants from DreamStreet have held roles in the television series "American Horror Story: NYC".
- American Jewish Historical Society Partner — Felicia Herman sits on the board of the American Jewish Historical Society and also serves on the DreamStreet board.
- Art New York Funder — Provides institutional support to DreamStreet Theatre Company.
- BKLYNER Partner — Featured DreamStreet Theatre Company in arts and culture coverage.
- BRIC Partner — Collaborated with BRIC to present performances of "The Great Gatsby".
- BRIC Partner — Hosted a DreamStreet Theatre performance at BRIC's venue.
- BRIC Partner — Performance venue for DreamStreet cast productions.
- Brooklyn Arts Council Funder — Provides grant funding to DreamStreet Theatre Company.
- Good Time Partner — Participants from DreamStreet have held roles in the film "Good Time".
- Maimonides Fund Partner — Felicia Herman serves as Managing Director, North America, of Maimonides Fund and is also a board member of DreamStreet Theatre Company.
- Natan Partner — Felicia Herman previously served as Executive Director of Natan and continues to sit on its board while also serving on the DreamStreet board.
- Night Swim Productions Partner — Collaborated with DreamStreet Theatre Company to produce the short film "Ordinary World".
- Roulette Intermedium Partner — Performance venue for DreamStreet cast productions.
- Shomer Collective Partner — Felicia Herman serves on the advisory board of Shomer Collective and is also a board member of DreamStreet Theatre Company.
- Symphony Space Partner — Performance venue for DreamStreet cast productions.
- The Brooklyn Eagle Partner — Covered DreamStreet Theatre Company's performances and community impact.
- The Motor Company Partner — Collaborated on a production of "The Tempest" and "A Tempest."
- The New York Times Partner — Published feature on DreamStreet participants and their personal lives.
- Yahoo Parenting Partner — Shared personal stories of DreamStreet participants and their families.
- Young Adult Institute Partner — Karuna Heisler founded DreamStreet after working at the Young Adult Institute and identifying limited access to services for individuals with developmental disabilities.
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.
- Arts-Based Empowerment and Personal Growthmethodology: arts-empowermentBy engaging developmentally disabled individuals in performing arts education and creative expression, the organization fosters personal growth, self-confidence, and community leadership, because artistic participation affirms identity, builds agency, and cultivates imagination.
- Participant-Owned Storytelling for Authentic Representationmethodology: participant_owned_storytellingBy centering lived experiences of adults with developmental disabilities in the design, direction, and performance of original works, the organization produces authentic narratives that challenge stereotypes and transform public perception, because ownership of creative process deepens impact and representation.
- Workforce Integration Through Skills Developmentmethodology: workforce_integrationBy providing professional skills training in theater and film and building partnerships with employers, the organization enables paid employment for participants, because bridging skill development with industry engagement increases inclusion and economic opportunity.