named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Fall and Spring Semester Programs
Year-long classes for Pre-K to 12th grade students culminating in large-scale musical productions in December and May, focusing on acting, dance, and music with a 12:1 student-to-teacher ratio.
February and April Break Camps
One-week intensive camps during school breaks for grades 1–9, including auditions, rehearsals, and a public performance at the Civic Center – Carrier Theatre.
Internship Program
Opportunities for students age 16+ to assist in backstage, music, choreography, directing, and administration roles while developing performance and teaching skills.
Summer Camp
Five two-week summer sessions offering age-specific musical theatre productions for grades 1–12, with performances held at the Civic Center – Carrier Theatre.
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Youth Theater Arts Education 3 activities
- Cultural enrichment through children's theatrical productionsProduces large-scale musical theater productions each fall and spring involving all enrolled students, with weekend and evening classes leading to public performances in December and on Mother’s Day weekend, respectively. These productions provide cultural enrichment and support the development of theatrical, social, emotional, and academic skills in children across Central New York.
- Summer theater camp productionsRuns five two-week summer camp sessions for students in grades 1–12, featuring themed programs such as "The Dragonslayers," "Les Misérables," "Disney's Descendants," "Willy Wonka, Jr.," "Addams Family Young@Part," and "Disney's Dare to Dream." Camps operate daily from 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday, and culminate in public performances at the Civic Center – Carrier Theatre.
- Theatrical education programs for childrenOffers semester-long classes in fall and spring, as well as week-long camps during February and April school breaks, providing instruction in theatre fundamentals including audition preparation, scene work, dance/movement, music, voice training, and performance. Classes operate with a 12:1 student-to-teacher ratio and include structured rehearsal, memorization, and public performances as culminating events.
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Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
- Community engagement and outreach eventsHosts special events to engage the Central New York community in support of children's theatre, including public performances and seasonal camps that strengthen community participation in youth arts programming.
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Arts Education Scholarships 1 activity
- Financial aid for theater educationOffers half and full scholarships to offset tuition costs for students with financial need; scholarships cover tuition only and do not include additional expenses such as costumes, tickets, or fees.
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Arts and Cultural Workforce Training 1 activity
- Student internship program in performing artsEngages students aged 16 and over in internship opportunities across backstage operations, music, choreography, directing, and administrative support roles, providing hands-on experience in theater production and management.
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financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$853K
Contributions & grants$42K5%
Program service revenue$786K92%
Investment income$14K2%
Other revenue$11K
expenses
Total expenses$811K
Program expenses74%
Admin / overhead24%
Fundraising2%
Salaries & benefits$489K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$788K
Cash$368K
Investments$0
Liabilities$102K
Net assets$686K
Liquid reserves5.5 mo
6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue +14.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Todd Ellis | Executive director | 40 | $108K |
| Kellie Ellis | Assoc Executive director | 40 | $63K |
board members · 4
- Andrea Waldman — Secretary
- Ben Oscarlece — Treasurer
- Mark Bell — President
- Rich Aiello — Vice President
relationships · 27
Who they work with
- Andrea Waldman Partner — Board Secretary of Syracuse Children's Theatre Inc
- Anita Lombardi Partner — Board member of Syracuse Children's Theatre Inc
- Ben Kandel Partner — Board member of Syracuse Children's Theatre Inc
- Ben Oscarlece Partner — Board Treasurer of Syracuse Children's Theatre Inc
- Beth Liebrick Partner — Emeritus board member of Syracuse Children's Theatre Inc
- Boeheim Foundation Funder — Provides financial support to Syracuse Children's Theatre Inc.
- CNY Arts Funder — Provides financial support to Syracuse Children's Theatre Inc.
- Central New York community Partner — Engaged through special events in support of children's theatre.
- Civic Center – Carrier Theatre Partner — Venue for culminating performances for break and summer camps.
- Community Foundation of Central New York Funder — Provides financial support to Syracuse Children's Theatre Inc.
- Dr. Chloe Walters Partner — Board member of Syracuse Children's Theatre Inc
- Edith Westpfal Partner — Board member of Syracuse Children's Theatre Inc
- Galen Haab Partner — Emeritus board member of Syracuse Children's Theatre Inc
- Gifford Foundation Funder — Provides financial support to Syracuse Children's Theatre Inc.
- Google Drive Partner — Provides access to practice videos through Google Drive links for student use at home.
- John Ben Snow Foundation Funder — Provides financial support to Syracuse Children's Theatre Inc.
- Mark Bell Partner — Board President of Syracuse Children's Theatre Inc
- Mehdi Mollapour Partner — Board member of Syracuse Children's Theatre Inc
- New York State Council on the Arts Government — Provides funding or programmatic support through NYSCA.
- Rich Aiello Partner — Board Vice President of Syracuse Children's Theatre Inc
- Rosalyn Lampkin Partner — Board member of Syracuse Children's Theatre Inc
- Sarah Hood Partner — Board member of Syracuse Children's Theatre Inc
- Syracuse Sounds of Music Partner — Collaborates with or is supported by Syracuse Sounds of Music.
- Todd Ellis Partner — Executive Director of Syracuse Children's Theatre who manages scholarship inquiries.
- Tom Fitzpatrick Partner — Emeritus board member of Syracuse Children's Theatre Inc
- Whitney Fuller Partner — Board member of Syracuse Children's Theatre Inc
- YouTube Network — Hosts official content through its YouTube channel (sctstar1) for educational and rehearsal purposes.
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.
- Financial Access via Scholarshipsmethodology: client_choice_modelBy offering partial and full scholarships, the organization increases access to theatre education for low-income families because financial barriers are directly addressed, enabling broader participation in culturally enriching activities.
- Integrated Multidisciplinary Theatre Educationmethodology: rotational_multidisciplinary_instructionBy rotating students through stations in acting, dance, and music, the program develops well-rounded theatrical skills because this structure allows diverse learners to engage across modalities and discover multiple pathways to success.
- Mentorship Through Teaching Artistsmethodology: apprenticeship_modelBy using teaching artists as mentors, students develop performance and artistic skills because sustained, expert-guided relationships provide personalized instruction and professional role modeling that enhance learning outcomes.
- Performance-Based Learningmethodology: performance_based_learningBy culminating educational programs in public theatrical performances, students integrate and apply skills in acting, dance, and music, because the goal of a live show motivates engagement, reinforces learning, and builds confidence through real-world accountability.
- Positive Youth Development Through Theatremethodology: positive_youth_development_through_theatreBy using theatre as a vehicle for skill development, the organization fosters social, emotional, and academic growth in children because structured creative experiences build confidence, teamwork, and personal agency.