named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Non-Violent Communication Sessions
Facilitates community workshops on topics related to each season's theme, such as immigration, to promote dialogue and understanding
Seasonal Theatrical Productions
Produces plays addressing social justice themes such as immigration, human trafficking, climate change, and LGBTQ+ rights, followed by educational talk-back sessions
Youth Apprenticeship Program
Offers hands-on filmmaking training to teenagers of color through apprenticeships tied to specific productions
activities · 12 groups
What they do
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Creative Arts Therapy Programs 1 activity
- Deliver drama-education and therapeutic workshops for youth and affected communitiesProvides theater-based educational and therapeutic programming for inner-city youth, high school students, individuals affected by cancer, and underserved youth in Lima, Peru. Programs focus on improvisation, writing, movement, meditation, and personal development through initiatives like “Awakening the Actor's Instrument” and international workshops.
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Conflict Mediation & Resolution Services 1 activity
- Facilitate non-violent communication sessions on seasonal social themesConducts regular Non-Violent Communication (NVC) sessions centered on timely social issues such as immigration, fostering empathy and constructive dialogue among participants.
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Human Rights Advocacy Funding 1 activity
- Fund human rights organizations aligned with production themesDirects a significant portion of box office proceeds to financially support human rights organizations and initiatives that align with the social justice themes of each theatrical production.
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Post-Performance Audience Engagement 1 activity
- Host post-performance talk-back sessions to extend dialogue and learningFacilitates educational discussions after performances with partnering organizations, educators, and community leaders to deepen audience understanding of social justice themes and encourage civic engagement.
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Literary Events & Workshops 1 activity
- Host writer development programs and showcasesRuns an annual program for emerging and experienced writers to workshop provocative material and present it in a public end-of-year showcase, supporting creative expression and new work development.
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Curated Art Exhibitions and Public Displays 1 activity
- Maintain online art gallery to display creative worksCurates and hosts a digital collection of artwork accessible through an online gallery, expanding public access to visual expressions connected to the organization’s mission.
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Original Dance Performance Production 1 activity
- Present immersive dance and multimedia performancesProduces innovative performance formats such as "AI Vs. Humanity: The Experience," an immersive dance spectacle that explores the relationship between technology and human identity.
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Professional Theatrical Production 1 activity
- Produce and perform original and existing theatrical works on social justice themesCreates and stages live theatrical productions that address social justice issues such as immigration, systemic racism, child mental health, journalistic integrity, and women's autonomy. Productions include "Building the Wall," "Guarding the Bridge," "Fruit Trilogy," "Gidion’s Knot," and "RETRACTION," performed at venues like Theater Row and reaching hundreds of audience members per show.
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Volunteer Engagement and Capacity Support 1 activity
- Promote audience engagement leading to volunteerism and advocacyEngages audiences in ways that inspire civic action, including facilitating over 10 individuals to request volunteering with ForHumanity, encouraging interest in Gilda’s Club and The Bowery Mission, and motivating inquiries about political advocacy on climate change.
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Youth & Emerging Filmmaker Training 1 activity
- Provide hands-on apprenticeships in filmmaking for youth of colorOffers practical training and apprenticeship opportunities in filmmaking for five teenagers who are young people of color, building skills and access in media production.
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Performing Arts Ticket Access Programs 1 activity
- Support access to theater through complimentary student tickets and outreachOffers free or subsidized access to live theater for students and underserved groups, including arranging attendance for 65 seventh-grade students at a production focused on worker rights and providing complimentary tickets regardless of financial background.
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Uncategorized 3 activities
- Broadcast radio plays and audio programs on community radioProduces and airs dramatic radio content on WPKN Community Radio, including full episodes of "The War of the Worlds," "Johnny Got His Gun," "Dawn Speaks," and the first act of "Rose Colored Glass," extending reach beyond live theater audiences.
- Employ professional actors under Actors’ Equity standardsPays salaries to professional performers, marking the organization’s commitment to fair labor practices by initiating Actors’ Equity-compliant productions.
- Inspire replication of therapeutic and educational programs by audience membersThrough performances like "Gidion’s Knot," inspires audience members to implement related therapeutic programs—such as the Drawing and Talking Program—in schools and other institutions.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$54K
Contributions & grants$32K59%
Program service revenue$21K38%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$54K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$16K
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$439
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$439
2 years on record · 2020–2023 · YoY revenue +6.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jessica Jennings | President Development Director | 8 | $3K |
board members · 2
- Darcy Cozzetto — Board Member
- Valentine Williams — Board Member
relationships · 29
Who they work with
- 350.org Partner — Benefitting organization for the production "2071: The World We’ll Leave Our Grandchildren"
- Abortion Conversations Project Partner — Benefitting organization for the productions "Fruit Trilogy" and "Cougar The Musical"
- Academy for Young Writers Partner — Partner school whose seventh-grade students attended “The Adding Machine” production in 2015.
- All Stars Project Inc Partner — Collaborates with or is affiliated with All Stars Project Inc, as indicated by shared branding and imagery.
- All Stars Project Inc. Partner — Hosts annual theatre workshops for teens in collaboration with Ripple Effect Artists.
- Arts Independent Partner — Published a review of Ripple Effect Artists' production of RADIANT VERMIN.
- Charlotte Walker-Said Partner — Featured as a master speaker in REA’s Talk-Back events; Assistant Professor of Human Rights and International Law at John Jay College.
- Drawing and Talking Partner — Benefitting organization for the production "Gidion’s Knot"
- For Humanity Partner — Benefitting organization for the production "AI Vs. Humanity-Immersive Devised Theatre"
- Freedom to Marry Partner — Benefitting organization for the production "Twelfth Night"
- GEMS Partner — Benefitting organization for the production "She has a Name"
- Gilda’s Club NYC Partner — Benefitting organization for the production "Deathbed"
- Gilda’s Club NYC Partner — Partnered to provide therapeutic drama-education workshops for individuals affected by cancer.
- Immigrant Defense Project Partner — Partnering organization for the production "Building the Wall"
- James P. Clark Partner — Featured as a master speaker in REA’s Talk-Back events through the World Technology Summit.
- League of Women Voters Partner — Benefitting organization for the production "Waiting For Lefty"
- Paradigm Shift NYC Partner — Benefitting organization for the production "Taming of the Shrew"
- Relationship Abuse Prevention Program (RAPP) Partner — Collaborated with RAPP to deliver school-based drama workshops in New York City high schools.
- Safe Horizon Partner — Beneficiary organization for the theatrical production “The Adding Machine,” which supported victim assistance through student engagement.
- Safe-Horizon Partner — Benefitting organization for the production "The Adding Machine"
- Spanish Repertorio Theatre Partner — Collaborative relationship through board member involvement and development work.
- Specific Human Rights Organization Partner — Partners with human rights organizations that align thematically with each theatrical production to raise funds and awareness.
- Study for the Study of white American Culture Partner — Benefitting organization for the production "Guarding the Bridge"
- TEDx Partner — Executive Director Jessie Fahay spoke at a TEDx event, representing the organization.
- The Bowery Mission Partner — Benefitting organization for the production "Radiant Vermin"
- The Trevor Project Partner — Benefitting organization for the production "Tea and Sympathy"
- Theater Row Partner — Venue where Ripple Effect Artists presented "Gidion's Knot".
- WPKN Community Radio Partner — Collaborates with WPKN Community Radio to produce and broadcast audio content.
- other non-profits Partner — Collaborates with non-profit organizations to provide educational post-performance talk-backs for audiences.
strategies · 4
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 as Catalyst for Social Changemethodology: theatre-as-catalyst-for-changeBy using theatre and performance art as a medium, we provoke thought, spark dialogue, and inspire action on social justice issues because immersive artistic experiences create emotional and intellectual engagement that traditional education cannot achieve. This is reinforced through post-performance discussions and educational workshops that deepen understanding and promote behavioral change.
- Arts as Transformative Superpowermethodology: arts-as-superpowerBy recognizing and activating the arts as an inherent superpower, we transform individuals and communities because creative expression unlocks latent potential, agency, and resilience that are otherwise untapped in conventional systems.
- Arts as a Universal Language for Cross-Cultural Connectionmethodology: global-impact-through-artBy using theatre and performance art as a universal language, we foster empathy and global engagement across cultural boundaries because shared artistic experiences transcend linguistic and national differences, enabling deeper understanding of common human struggles.
- Arts-Based Youth Empowerment and Apprenticeshipmethodology: arts-based youth apprenticeshipBy engaging young people, especially from underrepresented communities, in theatre and filmmaking through mentorship and apprenticeship, we foster personal growth and increase diversity in the arts because hands-on creative participation builds confidence, skills, and pathways to systemic inclusion.