COMMON MAPS
Map version new-york activity top-down
Main site Contact
Menu
↑ parent activity group ·
research dossier

TRANSFORMA THEATRE INC
NEW YORK, NY · EIN 825387848 · Form 990EZ · FY2024 · NTEE P12 · Human Services · Micro (<$100K) · transformatheatre.com
revenue
$87K
expenses
$82K
net assets
$6K
employees
—
mission · from form 990

Transforma is a New York based not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) organization with a mission to create interactive theatrical experiences at the convergence of consciousness, science and ritual. We tackle how scientific ideas and metaphysical knowledge about consciousness overlap and explore it in the arena of interactive theatre. We like to dive deep in the space where science, human experience and social issues converge enveloping the audience in an immersive, experiential, interactive experiment, which challenges status quo and opens up new perspectives. Our goal is to pioneer a new form of theatrical expression and develop a close community of artists and scientists instilled with the freedom of thinking and creating in alternative ways.

profile · synthesized from sources

Transforma Theatre Inc. is a New York-based nonprofit creating interactive theatrical experiences at the intersection of science, consciousness, and ritual. The organization produces immersive performances that integrate neuroscience, AI, and audience participation to explore social issues and human experience. It also organizes the Science in Theatre Festival, which brings together artists and scientists to collaborate on science-themed plays and technology demonstrations.

named programs · 3 · from sources

What they call their work

Bioadapted
An interactive theater production using EEG headsets and haptic technology to explore AI ethics, featuring real-time audience interrogation of GPT-4 and blending documentary with fictional narratives about the future of artificial intelligence.
Science in Theatre Festival
Annual festival pairing artists and scientists to create science-themed plays, featuring research presentations, panel discussions, and demonstrations of emerging technologies like brain-computer interfaces and AI in performance.
The Female Role Model Project
Interactive theater piece using EEG headsets to investigate contemporary gender structures through autobiographical stories shared by female-identifying performers, presented through interactive games and neuroscience technology.
activities · 4 groups

What they do

  • Experimental Circus and Immersive Theater Production 2 activities
    • Developing technology-integrated theatrical design
      Collaborates with external partners and uses emerging technologies—including GPT-4, Midjourney, Runway, Deepfake, EEG headsets, haptic vests, and 3D printing—to translate biodata and emotional experiences into performance elements and physical artifacts within theatrical productions.
    • Producing science-themed interactive theatrical experiences
      Creates and performs immersive, experiential theatrical productions that explore the intersections of science, consciousness, AI ethics, and social issues, using technologies such as brain-computer interfaces (EEG), haptic feedback, and AI-generated texts. Productions include BIOADAPTED and The Female Role Model Project, presented at venues including Off-Broadway, Edinburgh Fringe, and art and technology biennials.
  • New Play Development Programs 2 activities
    • Hosting the Science in Theatre Festival
      Produces a three-day annual festival that pairs playwrights with scientists to develop and present new science-themed plays, live technology demonstrations, panel discussions, and exhibitions. The festival includes commissioned plays, scientific presentations from institutions like NYU and CUNY, and curated panels on topics such as AI and society, held at venues like The Cell Theatre in New York.
    • Producing theatrical programs on gender and masculinity
      Creates and facilitates "Men's Circle," a theatrical program that explores evolving definitions of masculinity, critiques traditional male role models, and supports the development of new frameworks for masculinity in the context of #MeToo and shifting gender dynamics.
  • Tech Skills Training for Underserved Groups 1 activity
    • Facilitating public workshops on AI and media literacy
      Offers hands-on public workshops that guide participants through contemporary AI tools such as GPT-4, Midjourney, and Deepfake, promoting media and technology literacy around artificial intelligence and its societal implications.
  • Spiritual Development & Meditation Programs 1 activity
    • Hosting immersive retreats on consciousness and personal development
      Organizes small-scale, immersive weekend retreats focused on lucid dreaming, shamanic practices, and personal growth, in partnership with Residency 108, with participation limited to 12 individuals.
financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$87K
Contributions & grants$80K93%
Program service revenue$6K7%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$82K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$7K
Grants paid out$0
balance sheet
Total assets$6K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$6K
2 years on record · 2023–2024 · YoY revenue +23.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 2
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
Tjasa Ferme Executive Artistic director, Board president 30 $7K
Catherine Alex Webster social media strategist, treasurer 6 $650
board members · 1
  • Irina Nazarova — Marketing advisor, board vice-president
relationships · 35

Who they work with

  • 3-Legged Dog (3LD) Partner — Presented "The Female Role Model Project" at its venue as part of its programming.
  • Alexis Roblan Partner — Featured Alexis Roblan as a panelist on AI in arts and society.
  • Ammerman Symposium Partner — Presented "The Female Role Model Project" at the Biennial of Art and Technology.
  • Art Beat New York Partner — Hosted the Lucid Dream Theatre Experience.
  • Bedlam Theatre Partner — Hosted performances of "The Female Role Model Project" during the Edinburgh Fringe 2019.
  • Bedlam Theatre Partner — Presented The Female Role Model Project as part of the Edinburgh Fringe 2019.
  • CUNY Partner — Collaborated with scientists from CUNY, including Dr. Heidi Boisvert from CUNY City Tech, to present research and contribute to festival programming.
  • Daanish Masood Partner — Featured Daanish Masood as a panelist on AI in arts and society.
  • Dr. Heidi Boisvert Partner — Collaborated with Dr. Heidi Boisvert as a featured scientist in the festival.
  • Dr. Molly Hammell Partner — Featured Dr. Molly Hammell as a panelist on investment in women in science.
  • Dr. Moran Cerf Partner — Featured Dr. Moran Cerf as a panelist on AI in arts and society.
  • Dr. Raffaella Sordella Partner — Featured Dr. Raffaella Sordella as a panelist on investment in women in science.
  • Emotiv Partner — Collaborated on the integration of EEG technology into the theatrical performance.
  • Forbes Partner — Featured in Forbes for innovative integration of art and science in performance.
  • J.P. Morgan Partner — Partner organization collaborating with Transforma Theatre Inc.
  • Jeremy Goren Partner — Featured Jeremy Goren as a panelist on human-AI relationships.
  • Karen Ingram Partner — Featured Karen Ingram as a panelist on AI in arts and society.
  • MIT Partner — Collaborates with MIT research affiliate Heidi Boisvert on biodata research and bio-media development for theatrical productions.
  • NYU Partner — Collaborated with scientists from NYU to present research and participate in panels at the Science in Theater Festival.
  • New York University Partner — Collaborates with Jingyao Shao, a graduate of NYU’s Interactive Telecommunications Program, on new media and performance research.
  • PayPal Funder — Platform used for receiving donations to support the organization's programs.
  • Polona Šafarič Tepeš Partner — Featured Dr. Polona Šafarič Tepeš as a scientist participant in the festival.
  • Professor Massimo Pigliucci Partner — Featured Professor Massimo Pigliucci as a panelist on human-AI relationships.
  • Residency 108 Partner — Partnered with Residency 108 to host a weekend lucid dream retreat.
  • Sara Wentworth Ph.D Partner — Featured Dr. Sara Wentworth as a panelist on human-AI relationships.
  • Saviana Stanescu Partner — Collaborated with playwright Saviana Stanescu in the festival program.
  • Suzanne Dikker Ph.D Partner — Featured Dr. Suzanne Dikker as a panelist on human-AI relationships.
  • The Assemblage Nomad Partner — Hosted the Lucid Dream Theatre Experience.
  • The Cell Theatre Partner — Hosted the Lucid Dream Theatre Experience and is the venue for the Science in Theatre Festival.
  • The Cell Theatre Partner — Hosted the Science in Theater Festival at The Cell Theatre, a venue dedicated to curating and developing new works in the arts.
+ 5 more
strategies · 2

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-Science Integration to Make Complex Ideas Accessible
    methodology: art_science_integration
    By combining artistic storytelling with scientific research in neuroscience, AI, and epigenetics, we make complex and abstract scientific concepts accessible and emotionally resonant for audiences, because narrative and sensory engagement enable understanding beyond technical explanation alone.
  • Immersive Participatory Experiences to Foster Agency and Perspective Shift
    methodology: immersive_participatory_theatre
    By using interactive theatre, real-time technology, and audience participation, we create visceral, embodied experiences that shift perspectives and foster personal agency, because active engagement in narrative and scientific exploration produces deeper cognitive and emotional impact than passive observation.