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MAIN STREET THEATRE & DANCE ALLIANCE INC
NEW YORK, NY · EIN 133751906 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE A25 · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Small ($100K-$1M) · mstda.org
revenue
$700K
expenses
$685K
net assets
$-8K
employees
18
volunteers
32
program ratio
78%
mission · from form 990

PROMOTE INTEREST IN DANCE, THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS, MUSIC AND ALL RELATED CULTURAL ART FORMS

profile · synthesized from sources

Main Street Theatre & Dance Alliance (MSTDA) is a community-based arts organization on Roosevelt Island, NY, providing music, theatre, and dance training and performance opportunities for all ages. For over 40 years, it has served children, teens, and adults through structured classes, productions, and recitals. The organization emphasizes inclusivity, creativity, and belonging, with programs designed to build confidence and resilience through the arts.

named programs · 8 · from sources

What they call their work

Adult Cabaret
Coaching class for adults to develop songs for performance, focusing on storytelling through music from Broadway, film, and popular genres. Open to all skill levels.
Adult Improv
Improvisational theatre class teaching comedic timing, spontaneity, and scene creation through short- and long-form games. No experience required.
Adult Production Workshop
Audition-based class for adults leading to a staged theatrical production. Rehearsals are held on weekends with professional direction in acting, music, and choreography.
Children’s Theatre
Offers fall, spring, and summer programs for grades 3–7 (and ages 6+) including musicals, plays, and original works. Includes training in acting, singing, dance, and production roles, culminating in public performances.
Early Dance (Little Movers, Pre-Ballet, Tap, Hip Hop, Capoeira)
Dance programs for children ages 18 months and up, including foundational classes in ballet, tap, hip hop, K-pop, and Capoeira, emphasizing motor skills, musicality, and creative expression.
Junior Dance Company
Audition-only program for advanced dancers focusing on jazz, contemporary, and ballet techniques. Members perform at community events and develop performance readiness.
LAMDA Classes
Partnership with Shine Dramatic Arts offering graded examinations in acting and public speaking. Weekly classes build communication and performance skills for students of various ages.
Teen Theatre
Provides junior and senior productions for grades 8–12, including a winter play and spring musical. Students engage in full-scale theatre productions with professional staff and perform publicly.
activities · 8 groups

What they do

  • Music Education and Training Programs 1 activity
    • Conduct private lessons in music, voice, dance, and theatre
      Offers private and duet instruction in music, voice, audition preparation, dance, and theatre for students of all ages and skill levels, including those preparing for academic or professional auditions. Lessons are available at two locations on Roosevelt Island and include scholarship support for eligible individuals.
  • Community Art Education Workshops 1 activity
    • Offer adult theatre, dance, and music programs
      Provides a range of performing arts programs for adults, including acting workshops using Method Acting techniques, improv and cabaret classes, theatre production participation, and adult-focused dance classes in ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, ballroom, and social styles. Offers both semester-based and drop-in formats, with instruction available at multiple skill levels.
  • Art Programs for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities 1 activity
    • Offer specialized programming for individuals with special needs
      Provides a weekly dramatic arts class for students aged 4+ with special needs and disabilities, co-led by a DOE special education teacher and an early intervention therapist. Focuses on motor skills, confidence, and socialization through storytelling, movement, and performance activities.
  • Professional Theatrical Production 1 activity
    • Produce and present theatrical and dance performances
      Produces and presents live theatrical and dance performances annually, including seasonal productions like "A Christmas Carol," original children's musicals such as "The Weird Sisters," and student-led spring concerts and musicals for youth and teen ensembles. These productions are held at the Howe Theatre and other facilities on Roosevelt Island, with consistent programming across multiple seasons from 2017 to 2026.
  • Comprehensive K–12 Arts Education 1 activity
    • Provide music, theatre, and dance training for children and youth
      Offers age-specific classes in music, theatre, and dance for children from birth through age 17, including Music Together for young children, creative drama for preschoolers and early elementary students, and structured theatre and dance programs for grades 3–12. Programs include semester-long courses, open classes, recitals, and performance opportunities.
  • Arts Education Scholarships 1 activity
    • Provide scholarships for performing arts programs
      Offers scholarship opportunities across all program areas—including Music Together, private lessons, dance, theatre, and camp participation—for individuals and families who meet eligibility criteria, ensuring access to arts education regardless of financial circumstances.
  • Youth Theater Arts Education 1 activity
    • Run seasonal and summer camps in theatre and dance
      Hosts theatre- and dance-based camps during school breaks and summer months, including Broadway Boot Camp, Make-A-Musical Camp, Summer Dance Intensive, Shakespeare for Kids, and Playmakers Preschool Camp. Programs incorporate singing, dancing, acting, writing, set design, and culminating performances, serving children ages 3–17.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Deliver LAMDA exam preparation and certification programs
      Operates as a registered LAMDA examination center offering group and private classes in Acting and Public Speaking for children and adults, preparing students from Entry Level to Grade 8. Includes specialized introductory classes for ages 5–7 and advanced technical training, with final exams hosted on-site at Roosevelt Island.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$700K
Contributions & grants$108K15%
Program service revenue$591K84%
Investment income$4940%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$685K
Program expenses78%
Admin / overhead22%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$489K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$196K
Cash$39K
Investments$112K
Liabilities$204K
Net assets$-8K
Liquid reserves2.6 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +27.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 4
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
KRISTI TOWEY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40 $35K
KIMBERLY FADNER OUTGOING PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR 40 $22K
ASHLEIGH HERNDON INCOMING PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR 40 $5K
BARBARA PARKER DIRECTOR 1 $4K
board members · 7
  • BRENNA STEIN — DIRECTOR
  • GINA ENOCK — PRESIDENT
  • JED RESNICK — DIRECTOR
  • JOANNE EICHEL — VICE PRESIDENT
  • MARILYN ITSKOWITCH — DIRECTOR
  • MICHELLE ARZAC — TREASURER
  • TANYA STARACE — SECRETARY
relationships · 25

Who they work with

  • Adam Bilchik Partner — Private instructor offering drum and guitar lessons through MSTDA's program
  • Ashleigh Herndon Partner — Private instructor offering voice, acting, jazz dance, and audition preparation lessons through MSTDA's program
  • Debra Orenstein Partner — DOE special education teacher and early intervention therapist who leads the Special Moving Stories class for students with special needs.
  • Debra Orenstein Partner — Private instructor offering creative movement and early intervention classes through MSTDA's program
  • Haley Ostir Partner — Private instructor offering jazz, contemporary, and audition preparation dance lessons through MSTDA's program
  • Holly Roberts Partner — Private instructor offering ballet, jazz, and contemporary dance lessons through MSTDA's program
  • Howe Theatre Partner — Venue partner hosting MSTDA productions at 548 Main Street.
  • Jeanne Castagnaro Partner — Private instructor offering voice, piano, and audition preparation lessons through MSTDA's program
  • Jonathan Fadner Partner — Private instructor offering piano, guitar, introductory music, and songwriting lessons through MSTDA's program
  • Joshua Jensen Partner — Private instructor offering piano lessons through MSTDA's program
  • Juhyun Lee Partner — Private instructor offering piano, violin, and voice lessons through MSTDA's program
  • Kimbirdlee Fadner Partner — Private instructor offering voice, acting, and audition preparation lessons through MSTDA's program
  • London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art Network — Registered center for LAMDA graded examinations, offering internationally recognized performance and public speaking assessments.
  • MSTDA 548 Main Street Partner — Primary location where theatre classes and rehearsals are conducted.
  • Main Street Theatre office Partner — Point of contact for businesses and advertisers placing ads in show programs.
  • Makiko Ishimori Partner — Private instructor offering ballet lessons through MSTDA's program
  • Marybeth MacKay Partner — Private instructor offering violin lessons through MSTDA's program
  • Music Together LLC Partner — Licensed provider of the Music Together program
  • New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Government — Provides public funds for MSTDA programs in partnership with the City Council.
  • New York State Council on the Arts Government — Provides public funding support for MSTDA programs.
  • Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation Government — Provides Public Purpose Funds supporting MSTDA programs.
  • Shine Dramatic Arts Partner — Partnership to deliver LAMDA exam programs at Main Street Theatre and Dance Alliance, leveraging Shine’s regional expertise and leadership in LAMDA assessment.
  • Yukari Ikegaya Partner — Private instructor offering tap dance lessons through MSTDA's program
  • info@mstda.org Partner — Email address used for scheduling private lessons and inquiries about dance programs.
  • international moms and educators Partner — Collaborates with a group of international moms and educators who initiated the Playful Discoveries Workshop.
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 for Wellbeing and Trauma Recovery
    methodology: arts-for-wellbeing
    By engaging children in theatre, dance, and performance training, the organization builds resilience, self-esteem, and belonging, particularly among those affected by trauma or neglect, because creative expression in a safe environment fosters emotional regulation and social connection.
  • Inclusive, Developmentally Responsive Pedagogy
    methodology: play-based_learning_with_caregivers
    By using mixed-age groupings, play-based learning, caregiver involvement, and developmentally appropriate movement, the organization supports natural learning rhythms and accessibility, because these methods mirror family-style and experiential development, enhancing imitation, leadership, and developmental skill-building in young children.
  • Student as Creator and Full Production Engagement
    methodology: student_as_creator
    By involving students in all aspects of musical theatre and original work creation—including writing, choreography, staging, and technical production—the organization deepens engagement and ownership, because active participation in the full artistic process cultivates agency, skill integration, and long-term commitment to the arts.