named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
ALLEYWORKS
Program offering play readings and workshops, with a focus on supporting BIPOC artists and diverse voices
Arts Access Program
Provides free tickets to all productions, student discounts, and multiple pay-what-you-can performances to ensure accessibility
Maxim Mazumdar New Play Award
Annual award that supports the development and production of new plays, culminating in world premiere productions at Alleyway Theatre
Project Spirit
Initiative providing free tickets to students and underrepresented Western New Yorkers for A CHRISTMAS CAROL and other productions
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Organizational DEI Capacity Building 2 activities
- Conduct internal diversity audits and issue public progress reportsOperates a Diversity and Inclusion Committee that audits hiring practices, production teams, and audience outreach; establishes success metrics; and issues public reports on anti-racist initiatives.
- Mandate anti-racism and cultural competency trainingRequires all staff, volunteers, and board members to complete mandatory training on anti-racism, cultural competency, and bystander intervention to foster an inclusive organizational culture.
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Arts Professional Advocacy & Equity Initiatives 1 activity
- Advance equity and inclusion in theater programming and staffingIncludes at least one production by a BIPOC playwright annually and supports BIPOC artists through ALLEYWORKS programs. Implements diverse hiring practices, offers internships and fellowships for BIPOC talent, and partners with #ENOUGH: PLAYS TO END GUN VIOLENCE to develop student-written plays addressing gun violence.
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Arts Education Professional Development 1 activity
- Deliver professional training in playwriting and performanceProvides year-round professional training programs in playwriting and performance for adults and teens, fostering skill development and artistic growth within the Western New York region.
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Performing Arts Ticket Access Programs 1 activity
- Ensure equitable access to theaterProvides free tickets to all productions through the ASI Arts Access program, offers student discounts and multiple pay-what-you-can performances per production, and distributes free tickets to A CHRISTMAS CAROL for students and underrepresented Western New York residents via Project Spirit.
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Professional Theatrical Production 1 activity
- Produce and present live theatrical performancesProduces a subscription-based season of six major theatrical productions annually, including world premieres, musicals, and classic plays, presented through June 27, 2026. Offers additional performances in a cabaret space and stages works such as Agatha Christie's The Murder of Roger Ackroyd and original productions like His Girl Watson: A Sherlock Noir.
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Subsidized Rehearsal and Performance Space 1 activity
- Provide affordable rehearsal and performance space rentalsOffers access to three uncensored, first-come-first-served rental spaces—including a 50-seat cabaret and a 99-seat black box theater—for $10 per hour via grant support. Also rents lighting and sound equipment to schools and theater companies on a daily or weekly basis and makes a full bar available for hosted events.
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New Play Development Programs 1 activity
- Support new play and musical developmentHosts the annual Maxim Mazumdar New Play Award and supports up to 7 local playwrights each year through its Alleyworks program, offering readings, workshops, and showcase opportunities. Develops new musicals through full rehearsal processes and public workshop presentations, including "The Unauthorized Jim's Steakout Musical" and "The Life and Slimes of Marc Summers," which moved to an off-Broadway commercial run.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$629K
Contributions & grants$353K56%
Program service revenue$276K44%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$499K
Program expenses80%
Admin / overhead20%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$276K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$780K
Cash$0
Investments$0
Liabilities$97K
Net assets$683K
Liquid reserves0.0 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -21.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 9
- Axel H Heimer III — Secretary
- Christopher Handley — Executive Director
- Jessica Marinelli — President
- Karen King — Director
- Katie Pogorzelski — Director
- Lee Ann Vogt — Director
- Linda Szal Sutton — Director
- Michelle Bouton — VICE PRESIDENT
- Nakiea Cook — TREASURER
relationships · 37
Who they work with
- #ENOUGH: PLAYS TO END GUN VIOLENCE Partner — Collaborates with student playwrights on theatre addressing gun violence.
- Amaya Mack Partner — Costume designer for His Girl Watson: A Sherlock Noir
- Amaya Mack Partner — Designed costumes for His Girl Watson: A Sherlock Noir.
- American Blues Theater Partner — Co-produced the world premiere of "Things With Friends."
- Anna Fernandez Partner — Lead performer in His Girl Watson: A Sherlock Noir
- Buffalo State Partner — Engages students in experiential programs.
- Chris J Handley Partner — Collaborated as director on Alleyway Theatre's production of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd.
- Dainelle Rosvally Partner — Fight director for His Girl Watson: A Sherlock Noir
- Danielle Rosvally Partner — Provided fight choreography for His Girl Watson: A Sherlock Noir.
- Diversity and Inclusion Committee Partner — Internal body responsible for assessing anti-racist initiatives, auditing organizational practices, creating success metrics, and issuing public progress reports.
- Emma Schimminger Partner — Lighting and sound designer for His Girl Watson: A Sherlock Noir
- Emma Schimminger Partner — Provided lighting and sound design for His Girl Watson: A Sherlock Noir.
- Executive Committee Coalition — Internal committee responsible for reviewing board member applications and selecting candidates.
- Gregory Gjurich Partner — Performer in His Girl Watson: A Sherlock Noir
- Jacob Albarella Partner — Performer in His Girl Watson: A Sherlock Noir
- Jim's Steakout Partner — Collaborated with Jim's Steakout as inspiration and subject for a new musical production.
- Jonas Harrison Partner — Designed the versatile set for His Girl Watson: A Sherlock Noir.
- Jonas Harrison Partner — Set designer for His Girl Watson: A Sherlock Noir
- Josh Wilde Partner — Performer in His Girl Watson: A Sherlock Noir
- Kevin Cirone Partner — Playwright whose award-winning work was produced by Alleyway Theatre
- Kevin Cirone Partner — Presented his award-winning play His Girl Watson: A Sherlock Noir in world premiere production.
- Lex Cueva Partner — Performer in His Girl Watson: A Sherlock Noir
- National New Play Network Network — Member organization
- National New Play Network Network — Produces Rolling World Premieres through affiliation with NNPN.
- New York State Council on the Arts Funder — Provides grant funding that supports affordable rental rates for rehearsal and performance spaces.
- Robyn Lee Partner — Collaborated as director on the world premiere of His Girl Watson: A Sherlock Noir.
- Robyn Lee Partner — Directed the production of His Girl Watson: A Sherlock Noir at Alleyway Theatre.
- Robyn Lee Partner — Director of the production His Girl Watson: A Sherlock Noir
- SAW Partner — Adapts the SAW horror film franchise into a musical production.
- SUNY Buffalo Partner — Engages students in experiential programs.
+ 7 more
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.
- Collaborative Development of New Works as Artistic Innovation Enginemethodology: collaborative_artistic_developmentBy supporting playwrights through collaborative partnerships, financial backing, and post-performance audience engagement, the organization advances live theatre by producing innovative new works, because sustained, risk-tolerant collaboration between artists and audiences yields transformative and culturally relevant performances.
- Equity-Centered Access and Inclusion in Artistic Productionmethodology: radical_accessibilityBy centering marginalized perspectives, prioritizing leadership diversity, and removing economic barriers to attendance through radical accessibility practices, the organization strengthens community identity and artistic relevance, because equitable access and representation produce more authentic, impactful storytelling and broader civic participation.
- Transformative Audience Engagement through Immersive and Risk-Driven Theatremethodology: transformative-audience-engagementBy creating immersive, character-driven, and genre-authentic theatrical experiences that embrace high-risk artistic innovation, the organization inspires audiences to reflect on their lives and communities, because emotionally resonant and artistically bold storytelling produces deeper engagement and personal transformation.