named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Citizen Artist Curriculum Guide
Educational framework co-written by Melissa Friedman and James Wallert to guide youth in creating socially impactful theater.
Epic NEXT
Youth theatre ensemble that leads the development and performance of original socially relevant plays on issues like education equity, policing in schools, and standardized testing.
I AM EPIC Young Playwrights Festival
Mentorship program for young playwrights to write, produce, and publish one-act plays on social issues, led by Melissa Friedman and Susan Kelechi Watson.
Shakespeare Remix Program
Program adapting Shakespeare’s works for modern audiences, recognized with a National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award.
Youth Ensemble Touring Program
Annual summer program where NYC public school students research education policy, create original plays, and tour nationally and internationally, facilitating post-performance dialogues.
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Youth Theater Arts Education 2 activities
- Building artistic and mentorship bridges between professional artists and youth from under-resourced communitiesFosters long-term creative and pedagogical relationships between professional theatre artists and young people of color from under-resourced schools and communities, supporting youth development through ensemble-based theatre training and collaborative production.
- Engaging youth in theatrical production and playwriting through civic and arts education programsCommissions and supports youth ensembles in creating and performing original, research-based theatrical works on pressing civic issues such as education policy; mentors young playwrights through the I AM EPIC Young Playwrights Festival; and develops age-appropriate Shakespeare remixes for middle and high school students in partnership with NYC public schools.
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Comprehensive K–12 Arts Education 1 activity
- Developing and delivering arts-integrated curricula and teaching in public school classroomsCo-created the Citizen Artist Curriculum Guide and conducts arts integration residencies in English Language Arts, History, and Science classrooms at partner public high schools, using theatre as a tool to enhance academic learning and civic engagement.
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Post-Performance Audience Engagement 1 activity
- Facilitating post-performance dialogues and civic discourse through theatreHosts expert-led discussions after performances to deepen audience engagement with social, historical, and ethical themes explored in the plays, including events such as a reading of "Mend" at the United Nations, and curates the Forum Series, which has served over 150,000 audience members since 2001.
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Original Music-Theater and Opera Production 1 activity
- Producing and presenting original and reinterpreted theatrical works on social, political, and ethical issuesCreates and stages bold, socially conscious plays—including new works by contemporary playwrights and reinterpretations of classics—through professional productions and performances designed to shift public perspectives and promote vital discourse. Since 2015, touring productions have reached over 100,000 audience members across 42 cities in 3 countries.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.05M
Contributions & grants$693K66%
Program service revenue$359K34%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$1.12M
Program expenses72%
Admin / overhead20%
Fundraising8%
Salaries & benefits$776K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$192K
Cash$114K
Investments$0
Liabilities$206K
Net assets$-14K
Liquid reserves1.2 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -17.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 3
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RONALD RUSSELL | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 50 | $127K |
| MELISSA FRIEDMAN | CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR | 40 | $117K |
| JAMES WALLERT | FOUNDER & CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR | 40 | $117K |
board members · 8
- ANDREA BONIME-BLANC — DIRECTOR
- DAN ARNALL — DIRECTOR
- ELENA REYES — SECRETARY
- MARK KOLLAR — CHAIR
- MICHAEL THOMAS — TREASURER
- OLIVIA DUNBAR — DIRECTOR
- PABLO VELEZ — DIRECTOR
- SOPHIA MCGEE — DIRECTOR
relationships · 28
Who they work with
- Arthur Miller Foundation Partner — Mentored with and co-led the EPIC VIRTUAL THEATRE LAB
- Artist Advisory Council Partner — Collaborates with the Artist Advisory Council to guide artistic development and community engagement.
- Bank Street College of Education Partner — Commissioned the play "The Next Bell" on belonging in schools.
- Board of Directors Partner — Works with the Board of Directors to oversee organizational strategy and mission implementation.
- Broadway Teaching Group Partner — Melissa Friedman led professional development workshops for the organization
- DKC/O&M Partner — Public relations partner for The Winning Side production
- GEC Risk Advisory LLC Partner — Andrea Bonime-Blanc, from GEC Risk Advisory LLC, is a member of the Board of Directors.
- HelloFresh Partner — Andrew Napier, affiliated with HelloFresh, is a member of the Board of Directors.
- Humanities New York Funder — Funded Epic’s Forum Series
- Juilliard Partner — Melissa Friedman led professional development workshops for the organization
- Legal Momentum Partner — Co-commissioned the play "PERFECT CIRCLE" on bullying and harassment in schools.
- Legal Services NYC Partner — Co-commissioned the play "PERFECT CIRCLE" on bullying and harassment in schools.
- NBC News Partner — Daniel Arnall, affiliated with NBC News, is a member of the Board of Directors.
- NYC Department of Education Partner — Melissa Friedman serves as a city-wide Professional Development facilitator for its Theatre Program
- NYU Partner — Melissa Friedman led professional development workshops for the organization
- National Coalition on School Diversity Partner — Commissioned the play "IN THE NAME OF SAFETY" on policing in schools.
- National Theatre of Scotland Partner — Melissa Friedman led professional development workshops for the organization
- New York Appleseed Partner — Commissioned the play "NOTHING ABOUT US" on educational segregation and youth voice.
- New York City Public Schools Partner — Youth ensemble composed of NYC Public School students performs for school staff and is commissioned annually.
- Poverty & Race Research Action Council Partner — Commissioned the play "BETWEEN THE LINES" on housing policy and educational segregation.
- Project Shema Partner — Sophia McGee, affiliated with Project Shema, is a member of the Board of Directors.
- Prosek Partners Partner — Mark Kollar, affiliated with Prosek Partners, serves as Chair of the Board of Directors.
- Strong Economy for All Coalition Partner — Commissioned the play "CENT$ABILITY" on wealth inequality and the American Dream.
- Teachers College, Columbia University Partner — Commissioned multiple plays through The Public Good, including "Creation of the Nation," "Why Teach," "FixED, or You Do Not Exist," "DEFAULT," and "OVERDRIVE."
- The Public Theatre Partner — Melissa Friedman led professional development workshops for the organization
- United Nations Partner — Hosted a reading of Dominique Morisseau's "Mend" in collaboration with Epic Theatre Ensemble.
- United Nations Partner — Hosted a reading of Dominique Morisseau’s Mend in collaboration with Epic Theatre Ensemble.
- Velez & Cipriano, PLLC Partner — Pablo Velez, from Velez & Cipriano, PLLC, is a member of the Board of Directors.
strategies · 5
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.
- Asset-Driven Youth Development through Theatremethodology: asset-driven youth developmentBy focusing on the unique strengths and contributions of young people in theatre-making, we increase engagement and empowerment because an asset-based approach counters deficit narratives and builds agency through artistic participation.
- Community-Engaged Theatre for Social Changemethodology: community-engaged art for social changeBy co-creating theatrical experiences with diverse communities, we produce vital discourse and social change because collaborative art-making amplifies marginalized voices and reflects lived realities, fostering dialogue on complex social issues.
- Structural Equity in Arts Leadershipmethodology: structural equity in arts leadershipBy addressing systemic barriers in theatre leadership, we advance equity because focusing on structural change rather than isolated individual representation creates more sustainable and inclusive pathways in the arts field.
- Theatre as a Catalyst for Civic Engagement and Democratic Discoursemethodology: civic-engaged theatreBy using theatre to stimulate post-performance dialogue and commission original works on ethical and historical themes, we inspire civic action and strengthen democracy because immersive, issue-based performances create space for public deliberation and audience activation.
- Youth-Led Verbatim Theatre for Civic Empowermentmethodology: verbatim_theater_youth_ledBy mentoring youth to research, create, and produce original plays using verbatim techniques, we foster civic engagement and structural awareness because youth-led storytelling centers their lived experiences and positions them as agents of change in education and policy discourse.