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MERRY-GO-ROUND PLAYHOUSE INC

AUBURN, NY · EIN 150625507 · Form 990 · FY2025 · NTEE A650 · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Medium ($1M-$10M)
revenue
$5.0M
expenses
$5.5M
net assets
$332K
employees
232
volunteers
175
program ratio
91%
mission · from form 990

TO EDUCATE, ENTERTAIN AND ENCOURAGE THE ENJOYMENT OF THE PERFORMING ARTS.

profile · synthesized from sources

MERRY-GO-ROUND PLAYHOUSE INC is a nonprofit organization based in Auburn, New York, dedicated to educating, entertaining, and promoting the enjoyment of the performing arts. The organization produces and presents live theater performances and arts education programs for local audiences. Its activities are focused on community engagement through cultural and artistic experiences.

named programs · 2 · from sources

What they call their work

Live Theater Productions
Stages professional and community-based theatrical performances annually for public audiences
Youth Theater Program
Offers theater education and performance opportunities for children and teens in the Auburn area
activities · 6 groups

What they do

  • Performing Arts Ticket Access Programs 1 activity
    • Inclusive access programming for performances
      Offers pay-what-you-will tickets for the first Saturday evening performance of each production and $40 tickets for early-week performances exclusively for patrons aged 40 and under, increasing accessibility to live theater.
  • Youth Theater Arts Education 1 activity
    • Operating performing arts programs for education and entertainment
      Provides programs to educate and entertain through the performing arts, offering performances and educational activities centered on theater and stage productions.
  • Historic Theater and Arts Venue Preservation 1 activity
    • Operation and maintenance of theater facility
      Operates and maintains a theater venue at 6877 E. Lake Road in Auburn, NY, including ongoing upkeep of buildings and completion of major renovations such as a $3 million upgrade in 2004. The facility hosts mainstage productions and educational programming.
  • Professional Theatrical Production 1 activity
    • Production of theatrical works
      Produces and stages classic and contemporary musicals, new musicals, and revivals at its theater venue in Auburn, NY, including pre-Broadway and regional collaborations such as "Anne of Green Gables," "Loch Ness," and "Austen’s Pride." The organization has a history of producing diverse productions annually, ranging from rock-themed musicals like "Rock of Ages" and "Almost Heaven" to family favorites like "Tarzan" and "Beauty & the Beast."
  • Organizational DEI Capacity Building 1 activity
    • Workforce and organizational commitment to diversity and inclusion
      Commits to advancing equality, diversity, and inclusivity within its workforce, on stage, and in its boardroom, reflecting inclusive values in staffing and artistic representation.
  • Arts Education Access Programs 1 activity
    • Youth and educational theatre programming
      Delivers in-school arts education and youth engagement programs reaching nearly 80,000 students annually across 74 school districts and 23 counties in Central New York. Programs include the Junior Stars and All Access initiatives, original plays and musicals written and produced for student audiences, and durable, portable scenic elements and costumes designed for repeated use in educational touring productions.
financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$4.98M
Contributions & grants$866K17%
Program service revenue$4.06M82%
Investment income$2K0%
Other revenue$52K
expenses
Total expenses$5.51M
Program expenses91%
Admin / overhead8%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$3.35M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$3.86M
Cash$268K
Investments$0
Liabilities$3.53M
Net assets$332K
Liquid reserves0.6 mo
6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue +8.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
BRETT SMOCK GENERAL MGR $171K
board members · 15
  • ANGELA WINFIELD — DIRECTOR
  • BILL ABDALLAH — DIRECTOR
  • BILL BUTERBAUGH — DIRECTOR
  • CATHERINE BENSON-ALOI — TREASURER
  • CATHLEEN MCCOLGIN — SECRETARY
  • DAVID TEHAN — DIRECTOR
  • DR ROMAN PLACZEK — DIRECTOR
  • FRANCINE DALOIA — DIRECTOR
  • IAN PHILLIPS — DIRECTOR
  • JENNIFER WARD — DIRECTOR
  • JOE BARTOLOTTA — DIRECTOR
  • MELISSA THORNE — DIRECTOR
  • NATE GARLAND — DIRECTOR
  • ROBERTA WILLIAMS — PRESIDENT
  • SUSIE GAYNES — VICE PRESIDE
relationships · 29

Who they work with

  • 5th Avenue Theatre Partner — Collaborated on the production of Austen’s Pride.
  • 5th Avenue Theatre Partner — Collaborating theater for productions such as "Austen’s Pride."
  • Actors Equity Association Government — Formal agreement in place to support professional production standards.
  • American Federation of Musicians Government — Formal agreement in place to support professional production standards.
  • Black Lives Matter Partner — Publicly affirms support for the Black Lives Matter movement.
  • Bluesky Partner — Platform used for social media presence under @TheREVTheatreCo
  • Carnegie Hall Partner — Co-presented Austen’s Pride.
  • Carnegie Hall Partner — Co-presenting venue for theatrical works including "Austen’s Pride."
  • Facebook Partner — Social media platform used for outreach and engagement
  • Goodspeed Musicals Partner — Co-producing partner for pre-Broadway development, including "Anne of Green Gables."
  • Goodspeed Musicals Partner — Partnered on the pre-Broadway production of Anne of Green Gables.
  • Instagram Partner — Social media platform used for outreach and engagement
  • LinkedIn Partner — Platform used for professional networking and organizational presence
  • Nazareth College Partner — Partnership formed in 2015 to enhance training and educational opportunities for students through an intensive professional track program.
  • Ogunquit Playhouse Partner — Collaborated on subsequent productions of From Here to Eternity after its North American premiere at The REV.
  • Ogunquit Playhouse Partner — Collaborative producing partner for new musicals, including productions of "From Here to Eternity."
  • Phil Collins Partner — Features music by Phil Collins in the production of "Tarzan."
  • Playhouse on the Square Partner — Staff member completed an internship at the organization, indicating a professional development partnership.
  • Rodgers and Hammerstein Partner — Produces works by Rodgers and Hammerstein, including "Carousel."
  • SUNY Oswego Partner — Staff members have graduated from and/or have professional connections to the institution.
  • Shakespeare’s Globe Partner — Staff member studied at the Globe, indicating a training and educational affiliation.
  • Skylight Music Theatre Partner — Hosted the Midwest premiere of From Here to Eternity, co-produced by Brett Smock and The REV.
  • Skylight Music Theatre Partner — Partner theater for regional premieres, including the Midwest premiere of "From Here to Eternity."
  • Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers Government — Formal agreement in place to support professional production standards.
  • The REV Theatre Co. Partner — Co-producing or presenting the 2027 season production of "Somebody To Love" in association with Merry-Go-Round Playhouse Inc.
  • The REV Theatre Co. Partner — Collaborates with The REV Theatre Co. to offer pay-what-you-will and $40 Under Forty ticket programs at the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse.
  • The REV Theatre Co. Partner — Merry-Go-Round Playhouse is associated with The REV Theatre Co., operating under its programming or branding.
  • TikTok Partner — Social media platform used for outreach and engagement
  • Union University Partner — Staff member holds a degree from the institution, indicating an educational partnership link.
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 Education as Transformative Practice
    methodology: transformative-educational-theatre
    By integrating professional theatre experiences into educational settings, particularly in rural and underserved areas, the organization creates meaningful, positive change in students’ lives because immersive arts engagement fosters social awareness, personal development, and cultural connection.
  • Culturally Anchored Programming for Audience Engagement
    methodology: cultural_anchoring
    By using jukebox musicals and tribute productions centered on iconic rock music from the 1970s and 1980s, the organization engages audiences because shared cultural references create emotional resonance, broaden appeal—especially among families—and serve as accessible entry points for diverse communities.
  • Equitable Access Through Financial and Representational Inclusion
    methodology: equity_through_inclusion
    By removing financial barriers via pay-what-you-will tickets and expanding representation through inclusive hiring in casting and staffing, the organization increases community engagement and advances equity because access and visibility together foster belonging, accountability, and deeper audience investment.