irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $0Program Service Weekday In-School Performances: During the fiscal year, the organization developed and presented original theatrical productions for children from pre-K to 4th grade. In-school performances reached 11,500 children throughout the NYC and Tri-State area over 37 dates throughout the season, including 500 children on the autism spectrum attending public special education schools. Overall, between our in-school and theatrical performances, we reached 20,000 NY school children of whom 70% are POC, Latino/Hispanic, and Asian.
- #2 $0Program Service Schooltime, After-school and Summer Workshops: In the FY25 season, we reached over 400 children through in-school after-school, and summer workshops, led by our performing artists. With city council funding, we provided two full weeks of CASA-funded after-school workshops at P.S. 20 on the Lower East Side, reaching 200 children. P.S. 20 has a predominantly Asian, Hispanic, ESL/ELL and POC population, which is served by this partnership. This was also our eighth year of partnering with Bound for Success/Coalition for the Homeless, providing workshops to 100 severely underserved children in locations such as Bushwick Family Residence in Brooklyn, and Jamaica Residence in Queens.
named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Bound for Success Partnership
Eight-year collaboration providing theater workshops to 100 severely underserved children annually at homeless family residences in Brooklyn and Queens
Schooltime, After-school and Summer Workshops
Creative workshops led by performing artists, including CASA-funded programs at P.S. 20 and partnerships with Bound for Success/Coalition for the Homeless serving underserved children
Weekday In-School Performances
Original theatrical productions performed for children from pre-K to 4th grade in schools across NYC and the Tri-State area, reaching 11,500 children annually
activities · 3 groups
What they do
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Youth Theater Arts Education 4 activities
- Delivering arts education workshops for underserved childrenThe Paper Bag Players conduct in-school, after-school, and summer workshops for children, including targeted programs for severely underserved populations. In FY25, they served over 400 children through various workshop initiatives, including 200 children in CASA-funded after-school programs at P.S. 20 and 100 children through a partnership with Bound for Success/Coalition for the Homeless at family shelter sites in Brooklyn and Queens.
- Operating a touring performance companyThe organization operates a touring ensemble of five performers and one stage manager, delivering in-school and field trip performances from January through May annually. The company has historically toured across 37 U.S. states and internationally, including at festivals in Mexico.
- Presenting original interactive theater productions for childrenThe Paper Bag Players create and perform original, one-hour theatrical productions featuring music, dance, audience participation, and paper-and-cardboard puppetry for young audiences in grades pre-K to 4. These shows are performed in schools and other venues, primarily during tours across New York City and the Tri-State area, with capacity for one or two performances per day.
- Producing study guides and promotional materials for performancesThe organization creates and distributes educational and promotional resources such as study guides, photos, press releases, and reviews to support school-time performances and enhance audience engagement.
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Storytelling and Literacy Resource Development 1 activity
- Creating educational and creative engagement resources for childrenThe organization provides at-home and classroom-based creative activities such as step-by-step drawing lessons, storytelling exercises, and craft projects using simple materials like cardboard boxes and paper. These include guided art-making, rainbow gratitude displays, and imaginative storytelling challenges designed to foster creativity and problem-solving skills.
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Performing Arts Ticket Access Programs 1 activity
- Providing free and reduced-cost access to performancesThrough the “Theater For All” program, the organization offers free and low-cost tickets to underserved schools in New York City and the Northeast, increasing access to live theater for economically disadvantaged students.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$417K
Contributions & grants$193K46%
Program service revenue$222K53%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$2K
expenses
Total expenses$361K
Program expenses74%
Admin / overhead22%
Fundraising4%
Salaries & benefits$197K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$78K
Cash$71K
Investments$0
Liabilities$16K
Net assets$62K
Liquid reserves2.4 mo
5 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +23.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN STONE | Executive Director | 20 | $33K |
board members · 4
- CLARICE KESTENBAUM — Treasurer
- ELIZABETH BRADLEY — President
- LAURA CANTY-SAMUEL — Member
- MARK GALLAY — Secretary
relationships · 18
Who they work with
- Bound for Success/Coalition for the Homeless Partner — Partnered for the eighth year to deliver arts workshops to 100 severely underserved children in family residences in Brooklyn and Queens.
- Clarice J. Kestenbaum, MD Partner — Board member contributing medical expertise and governance oversight.
- ECLC Partner — Special education program where performances provide cognitive and creative expansion opportunities for concrete thinkers.
- Festival Internacional in Chihuahua Partner — Hosted performances by The Paper Bag Players as part of an international festival engagement.
- Grandview Elementary Partner — School where The Paper Bag Players performed and engaged students through an interactive theatrical show.
- Helen Troum Nursery School and Kindergarten Partner — New Jersey early childhood program that has hosted performances for over 20 years, valuing their educational and entertainment impact.
- Jon Peck Partner — Scenic designer and artist who leads children in guided drawing and craft activities.
- Monarch Montessori Elementary Partner — School whose curriculum was influenced by The Paper Bag Players’ creative use of materials in performances.
- P.S. 20 on the Lower East Side Partner — School where students consistently engage with The Paper Bag Players’ performances, valued for strengthening creativity and collaboration.
- P.S. 306 Brooklyn Partner — School that hosted a performance during the height of the COVID pandemic, providing joy and inspiration to students.
- PS 54 Partner — Public school that hosted performances appreciated for audience participation and shared joy between children and teachers.
- PS 75 Partner — School where painting skits are particularly effective for young and ESL students, supporting creative and cognitive development.
- The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts Partner — Houses the company's archives and hosted a retrospective exhibition on the organization's 50-year history.
- The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts Partner — Houses the company’s archives and hosted an exhibition on its 50-year history.
- foundations Funder — Supports the “Theater For All” program through financial contributions.
- government funding Government — Provides financial support for the “Theater For All” program.
- individual donors Funder — Provides financial support for the “Theater For All” program.
- not specified Partner — Schools and educational institutions hosting the school-time shows
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 as a Tool for Equitable Early Developmentmethodology: equity-focused_arts_accessBy delivering original, contemporary theater using accessible formats and low-cost materials, we promote child development and equitable access to the arts, because early exposure to inclusive, values-based performances supports social-emotional learning and cultural belonging—especially in underserved communities.
- Imaginative Use of Everyday Materials to Reflect Children's Worldsmethodology: imaginative_use_of_simple_materialsBy creating theater with paper, cardboard, and other everyday materials, we strengthen children's connection to performances, because these materials mirror their own creative play and lived experiences, fostering imaginative identification and creative expression.
- Interactive Theater for Child Engagement and Inclusionmethodology: interactive_theaterBy using audience participation, movement, music, and simple materials in performances, we sustain children's engagement and foster inclusion, because interactivity and universal artistic languages make theater accessible across cultures, abilities, and economic backgrounds.