named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
New Works Reading Festival
An annual event producing staged readings of new plays, including the 2024 workshop of "TREATY," supporting emerging playwrights and new theatrical works.
TREATY: A Play About How To NOT Blow Up The Planet
A full-scale production exploring nuclear disarmament through the lens of international treaty negotiations, developed through a fellowship at The Foundry and scheduled for performances in New Hampshire and Vermont in 2025 and 2026.
The UnderGround Project
Education outreach program that brings socially relevant theater to schools and community groups, revived with the production of "TREATY" to expand audience engagement beyond traditional theater settings.
activities · 3 groups
What they do
-
New Play Development Programs 1 activity
- Hosting annual New Works Reading FestivalHosts an annual "From the Ground UP… New Works Reading Festival" each February, now in its 14th year, featuring staged readings of new plays. The 2024–2026 festivals included four to five new plays annually, with works like "TREATY" and "GRAND TIME" developed through the program.
-
-
Professional Theatrical Production 1 activity
- Production of original and full-scale theatrical worksProduces and presents full-scale theatrical productions, including original works and published plays, across New York City, New Jersey, North Carolina, and New England. Has created eleven original theatrical works, six of which have been published by Samuel French and Dramatists Play Service.
-
-
Community-Engaged Theater Production 1 activity
- Touring education outreach program "TREATY"Produces, develops, and tours an education outreach program titled "TREATY," which has been presented in New England, including performances at The Foundry, Sandwich Town Hall (NH), and scheduled performances at Town Hall Theater (VT). The play was workshopped at the 2024 New Works Reading Festival and is actively touring.
-
financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$39K
Contributions & grants$39K100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$33K
Program expenses100%
Admin / overhead0%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$26K
Cash$24K
Investments$0
Liabilities$2K
Net assets$24K
Liquid reserves8.9 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue +105.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
board members · 7
- ALEXA FITZPATRICK — TREASURE
- DEVAN HIBBARD — SECRETARY
- GUY OLIVIERI — VICE-CHAIRPERSON
- KATE MIDDLETON — CHAIRPERSON
- MARK THORTON — DIRECTOR
- SETH SHELDEN — VICE-CHAIRPERSON
- TRAVIS MCHALE — DIRECTOR
relationships · 23
Who they work with
- A.R.T. NY Partner — Hosted a staged reading of "Front Row to Murder" at its venue in New York City.
- A.R.T. NY Partner — Hosted the staged reading of "Knifeplay" at its venue located at 520 8th Ave in New York City.
- A.R.T. NY Partner — Hosts events for Ground UP Productions at its venue in New York City.
- A.R.T. NY Partner — Partner venue hosting Ground UP Productions' performance of FOCUS.
- A.R.T. NY Partner — Venue host for the staged reading of "TENNESSEE WILLIAMS DRANK HERE."
- Barrow Group Partner — Collaborates with Barrow Group through director Lee Brock, who is co-artistic director there.
- Dramatists Play Service Partner — Publisher of six original works developed by Ground UP Productions.
- ICAN Partner — Source of narrative content and inspiration for "TREATY," based on conversations with the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons
- Jenn Thompson Partner — Collaborating director for the production of "The Will."
- Kate Middleton Partner — Producing Artistic Director of GroundUp Productions and performer in company productions.
- Laura Darrell Partner — Playwright of "The Will," produced by GroundUp Productions.
- Pioneer Theatre Company Partner — Collaborates on the production and premiere of theatrical works, including "Ten Brave Seconds" and "Ten Brave Seconds" world premiere.
- Samuel French Partner — Publisher of six original works developed by Ground UP Productions.
- Sandwich Town Hall Partner — Venue for performances of "TREATY" in December 2025
- The Barnstormers Theatre Partner — Co-presented a staged reading of "Front Row to Murder" in association with GroundUP Productions.
- The Barnstormers Theatre Partner — Collaborates on productions and tours, including the education outreach program "TREATY".
- The Barnstormers Theatre Partner — Collaborates with The Barnstormers Theatre, where a company member also serves as Artistic Director.
- The Foothills of Sandwich Partner — Provided a pre-fixe dining option for audiences during "TREATY" performances in Sandwich, NH
- The Foundry Partner — Hosted a fellowship for Ground UP Productions in May 2025, leading to further productions of "TREATY"
- TheatreLab Partner — Hosted a staged reading of "Front Row to Murder" at its venue in New York City.
- Town Hall Theater Partner — Venue for scheduled performances of "TREATY" in March 2026
- Town Hall Theater of Middlebury Partner — Co-producing the play TREATY in March 2026
- bykennethjones.com Partner — Collaborates on publicity and features interviews with playwrights from the festival.
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.
- Art-Integrated Justice and Activism Modelmethodology: art-for-justiceBy embedding social justice advocacy and marginalized voices into theatrical production and creative roles, we advance equity and inspire action because art amplifies underrepresented narratives and transforms audiences into participants in justice work.
- New Works Development through Public Engagementmethodology: new-works-festivalBy using staged readings and annual festivals to develop and present emerging plays, we nurture playwrights and expand theatrical discourse because low-barrier, public formats enable creative risk-taking and community feedback that refine impactful new work.
- Theater as a Catalyst for Empathy and Social Changemethodology: theatre-for-empathyBy creating character-driven, shared theatrical experiences that explore the human condition, we foster empathy, connection, and pathways to social change because emotional engagement through narrative makes abstract issues personally resonant.