named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Chicago: Teen Edition
Summer youth musical production for teens with prior experience, involving a full rehearsal and production process leading to public performances at Main St. 56 Theater
Main St. 56 Theater Productions
Community theater productions for adults and advanced youth, including plays, musicals, cabarets, and murder mysteries performed at the organization’s downtown Batavia venue
Summer Theater Experience
Five-day professional training intensive for young artists aged 13–19 featuring instruction from theater, film, and dance professionals; covers audition prep, stage combat, character development, and performance discipline
The SpongeBob Musical: Theater for Young Audiences Edition
Two-week summer theater camp for children ages 6–12 culminating in a fully staged performance; focuses on singing, dancing, acting, and creative exploration in a supportive environment
Youth Theatre Programs
Age-appropriate theater education introducing fundamentals of acting, music, movement, and ensemble work; emphasizes confidence, collaboration, and creative expression for young performers
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Experimental Circus and Immersive Theater Production 1 activity
- Host interactive and themed audience experiencesProduces immersive audience experiences such as intimate murder mystery dinners with limited seating and interactive shows where audience members participate in solving a crime or determining the show’s ending.
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Event and Production Volunteer Coordination 1 activity
- Offer volunteer opportunities in theater productionEngages volunteers in all aspects of theater production including acting, technical roles (lighting, sound, costumes, props), set construction, front-of-house services, hospitality, and theater maintenance.
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Performing Arts Venue Rental 1 activity
- Operate and maintain Main St. 56 Theater facilityOwns, operates, maintains, and improves the Main St. 56 Theater in downtown Batavia for use in theatrical productions, rehearsals, educational programs, and community events.
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Free Outdoor & Community Theater Productions 1 activity
- Produce live theater productions for public audiencesProduces and presents live plays, musicals, cabarets, murder mysteries, and special events for audiences in Batavia and surrounding regions, performed at Main St. 56 Theater and select community venues throughout the year.
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Theatrical Casting and Audition Programs 1 activity
- Provide free and accessible audition processesOffers open auditions for all productions without fees and provides accommodations upon request to ensure accessibility for performers with access needs.
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Youth Theater Arts Education 1 activity
- Provide youth theater education and performance programsOffers educational theater programming for youth including summer camps for children ages 6–12, teen musical productions, and professional training intensives that develop performance skills and culminate in public performances.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Operate concession services to support theater operationsRuns concession sales before performances and during intermissions to generate revenue supporting theater programming and operations; opens the theater lobby 30 minutes prior to each performance for audience arrival and concessions.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$572K
Contributions & grants$471K82%
Program service revenue$80K14%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$21K
expenses
Total expenses$172K
Program expenses100%
Admin / overhead0%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$1.45M
Cash$10K
Investments$0
Liabilities$445K
Net assets$1.01M
Liquid reserves0.7 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -8.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 16
- AKARI LEWIS-IBURI — DIRECTOR
- ANTHONY HAITZ — DIRECTOR
- COLIN FLEMING-STUMPF — DIRECTOR
- DAVE ADAMS — DIRECTOR
- DEACON SMITH — DIRECTOR
- DOROTHY GERHART — DIRECTOR
- HEATHER ZERILLO — DIRECTOR
- JEFF YOLEVICH — DIRECTOR
- JIM CHAMBERLAIN — DIRECTOR
- JO COBURN — DIRECTOR
- KATHY WHITE — DIRECTOR
- NORM ARGULSKI — DIRECTOR
- PATRICK BURK — DIRECTOR
- SOPHIE HOUSEMAN — DIRECTOR
- TOM CLARK — DIRECTOR
- WILLIAM MOON — DIRECTOR
relationships · 14
Who they work with
- Dr. Alan and Cathy Barcomb Funder — Provided generous financial support for the production of "Chicago: Teen Edition".
- Eden Cafe Partner — Collaborates with Batavia Players to present an intimate murder mystery dinner event.
- Eden Cafe & Bakeshop Partner — Collaborates with Eden Cafe & Bakeshop to present a murder mystery dinner event.
- Howard Owens Partner — Production photographer for Batavia Players’ Summer Youth Theatre productions.
- Iburi Photography Partner — Provides production photography for Batavia Players’ performances, including Murder at the Carnival.
- Liberty Pumps Partner — Provides support for the Batavia Players 2026 season.
- Main St. 56 Theater Partner — Hosts Batavia Players youth theatre performances in downtown Batavia.
- Main St. 56 Theater Partner — Venue used for productions, rehearsals, educational programs, and community events.
- Music Theatre International Partner — Authorized performance partner for the production of "Annie."
- On The Stage Partner — Partner platform used for ticketing and seat selection for Batavia Players productions.
- Rupert Holmes Partner — Presented a musical with book, music, and lyrics by Rupert Holmes.
- Sean Ballachino Partner — Production photographer for Batavia Players’ productions.
- The Lions Club Funder — Sponsors the production of "The Miracle Worker."
- The Lions Club Partner — Provided support for the production of "The Miracle Worker."
strategies · 4
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.
- Audience-Participatory Performance Modelmethodology: audience-participatory theaterBy structuring performances to include audience voting or interaction, we create immersive and dynamic theatrical experiences, because active participation increases emotional investment and redefines passive viewers as co-creators of the narrative.
- Community-Engaged Theater Productionmethodology: community-engaged theater participationBy involving local community members in all aspects of theater—from performance to technical roles—we cultivate artistic growth and lasting audience investment, because co-creation strengthens community ties and deepens cultural relevance.
- Inclusive Theatre Participation Modelmethodology: inclusive_community_theatreBy removing barriers related to age, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, and experience level, we increase equitable access to the arts and foster community ownership of theater, because inclusion builds collective belonging and broadens engagement.
- Youth Development Through Theatermethodology: youth_development_through_theatreBy integrating theater education with performance opportunities, we build confidence, creativity, discipline, and collaboration skills in young people, because structured creative expression fosters personal growth and social-emotional learning.