named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Co-Productions
Collaborative productions with theater companies such as WP Theater, Pendragon Theatre, and The Journey Company.
Darkroom Series
A developmental program featuring works-in-progress, with over 17 iterations and 125 individual "Acts" produced to date.
Digital Theater Projects
Radio dramas and digital events, including episodic podcast plays and Zoom-based performances, produced during and beyond the pandemic.
New Light New Voices Festival
An annual festival showcasing new plays by emerging playwrights, including staged readings and full productions.
Spotlight Series
Full-length productions of new and reimagined classic works, staged at venues including Theatre Row and 59E59 Theaters.
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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New Play Development Programs 2 activities
- Develop and produce new plays through artist support programsSupports the creation of new theatrical works by providing financial and creative development opportunities for playwrights, including through the NLTP Collective’s real-time feedback process and the Spotlight Series, which oversees production logistics for fully funded projects.
- Present developmental and experimental theater worksOffers platforms for emerging and independent artists through readings, workshops, and series such as the Darkroom Series, which has presented 125 individual works across 17 iterations, fostering innovation and experimentation in theater.
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Theatre Awards and Honors Administration 1 activity
- Administer playwriting awards and competitionsRuns the New Light New Voices Award, a competition that selects and produces un-produced plays by NYC-based playwrights, such as the 2026 winning play "Lean-To."
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Benefit Events for Arts and Culture 1 activity
- Host benefit and anniversary eventsOrganizes annual benefit events featuring performances and receptions to celebrate organizational milestones, such as the 13-year anniversary, and to honor company members.
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Podcast and Radio Production 1 activity
- Produce and distribute episodic audio dramasCreates and releases full-length episodic radio dramas, such as "Pastel Color Ripples" and "Invincible Ones," distributed across all major podcast platforms.
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Professional Theatrical Production 1 activity
- Produce and present full-length theatrical worksMounts full-scale theatrical productions, including new and reimagined classic works, as part of the indie theater community. Since 2013, the organization has produced over 50 full-length plays, including award-winning works such as "H*tl'ers Tasters," presented at venues like 59E59 Theaters and toured nationally and internationally.
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Literary and Cultural Publishing 1 activity
- Publish plays by supported playwrightsFacilitates the publication of produced plays through major theatrical publishers including Concord Theatricals, TRW Plays, Stage Rights, and Next Stage Press, with titles published annually since 2013.
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financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$536K
Contributions & grants$457K85%
Program service revenue$79K15%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$488K
Program expenses82%
Admin / overhead17%
Fundraising1%
Salaries & benefits$262K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$161K
Cash$142K
Investments$0
Liabilities$9K
Net assets$152K
Liquid reserves3.5 mo
6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue +4.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sarah Norris | Director | 40 | $50K |
board members · 11
- Annie Oldakowski — Director
- Bill Murphy — Director
- Carl Jaynes — President
- Christina Fowler — Vice President
- Claudia Schneider — Director
- Cody Butcher — Secretary
- James Aguirre — Treasurer
- Ken Cerniglia — Director
- Michael Aguirre — Director
- Michael Ahuja — Director
- Shoshannah Segal — Director
relationships · 50
Who they work with
- 13th Street Rep Partner — Resident company at 13th Street Rep
- 59E59 Theaters Funder — Provided Covid Relief Grant in 2020
- 59E59 Theaters Partner — Recipient of 59E59 Co Op Resident Company residency
- 59E59 Theaters Partner — Venue partner hosting performances of New Light Theater Project productions.
- 5th Wall Theatre Partner — Commissioned "Stories to Tell at the End of the World" in partnership with New Light Theater Project.
- Access Theater Partner — Resident company at Access Theater in downtown NYC from 2015 to 2017
- Access Theater Residency Program Partner — Participant in Access Theater Residency Program
- Amanda Berry Partner — Founding member and company artist
- Anoteros Partner — IT services consultancy that sponsors the organization's events.
- ArtNY Funder — Awarded both The Creative Space Grant in 2017 and the Bel Geddes Design Enhancement Grant in 2018
- Chekhov International Festival Partner — Invited presenter at the festival in Ridgefield, CT in 2016
- Chicago Dramatists Partner — Hosted The Grafting Project Residency for Still Dance the Stars in 2017
- Chicago Dramatists Partner — Participant in the Grafting Project residency
- Chris Ryan Partner — Founding member and company artist
- Colleen Brostek Partner — Photographer documenting the production
- Concord Theatricals Network — Publishing partner for multiple plays including The Lights Are On, I Wanna F\*ck Like Romeo and Juliet, and Two of Us
- Embeleco Unlimited Partner — Co-produced "The Lights Are On" and its workshop staged reading.
- IRT 3B Residency Partner — Resident company through IRT 3B Residency
- LMCC Funder — Awarded Creative Engagement Grant for Hal & Bee in 2018
- Madame Mikette's Partner — Hosted the fundraising party for the annual ENCORE BENEFIT event.
- Melis Aker Partner — Collaborates with playwright Melis Aker on the production of "Fish."
- Michael Aguirre Partner — Founding member and company artist
- New Theater at 45th Street Partner — Resident company at New Theater at 45th Street (now Davenport)
- New Theater at 45th Street Partner — Resident company at The New Theater at 45th Street (now The Davenport Theatre) in 2013
- NewYorkRep Partner — Presented "War Words" in association with New Light Theater Project.
- Next Stage Press Network — Publishing partner for Sunset Point
- Pendragon Theatre Partner — Co-produced multiple productions including "Lean-To," "This is Government," and "Tracks."
- Pendragon Theatre Partner — Co-produced the premiere of "Lean-To" with New Light Theater Project.
- Pendragon Theatre Partner — Co-producing the play "Lean-To" with New Light Theater Project.
- Pickle & Ham Productions Partner — Co-produced a workshop staged reading of "Tracks."
+ 20 more
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.
- Artist-Centered Development with Mentorshipmethodology: play-development-through-mentorshipBy providing sustained mentorship and nurturing of artistic craft and individual voice, the organization produces more impactful and enduring theatrical works because emerging artists are able to refine their perspectives and deepen the resonance of their storytelling.
- Artistic Infrastructure and Residency Supportmethodology: artist_support_infrastructureBy providing long-term artistic residencies and structural infrastructure, the organization enables emerging and independent artists to develop new works through stable, collaborative partnerships, increasing the viability and quality of indie theater production.
- Artistry Over Commercialismmethodology: artistry-over-commerceBy prioritizing artistry over commercial interests and drawing inspiration from the Little Theater Movement, the organization produces reimagined and original works that challenge mainstream narratives and sustain indie theater as a space for creative experimentation.
- Ensemble-Based Collaborative Modelmethodology: ensemble-based theater productionBy using an ensemble-based production model that ensures at least 50% of each production involves members of its artist Collective, the organization strengthens collaborative relationships and artistic continuity, leading to more cohesive and innovative theatrical outcomes.
- Inclusive Artist Representation and Equitymethodology: equity-inclusionBy prioritizing underrepresented voices—particularly women, transgender and gender nonconforming artists, and artists of color—through an inclusive submission policy, the organization increases equity in theater and produces more diverse, authentic narratives that reflect broader human experiences.