named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Advanced Musical Theater Builders
Advanced version of Musical Theater Builders focusing on more complex music and performance skills, culminating in a student-created "Seriously Funny Musical Sketch Comedy" revue.
All About Improv
Improv class developed by Marissa Ryan that teaches children to think on their feet through comedy and situational improv games, ending in a showcase for family and friends.
Creative Stage Spectacular
Annual performance series at Symphony Space where students present original devised theater pieces developed through intergenerational collaboration.
Musical Theater Builders
After-school program where children in grades 3–5 co-create and perform an original musical sketch comedy revue with professional artists, using improv games and reimagined songs from various genres.
Summer Shebang
Annual summer performance event featuring original works created by youth and professional artists, held at Symphony Space and other NYC venues.
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Youth Theater Arts Education 5 activities
- Advanced musical theater program for elementary studentsOffers an advanced musical theater program for children in grades 3 to 5, focused on developing literacy, confidence, acting and singing skills, and social-emotional resilience through collaborative theater-making; one of the organization’s most popular classes.
- After-school improv program for childrenOffers an after-school improv program that develops children's creativity, quick thinking, and performance skills through games and drills, culminating in student-led performances in showcases for family and friends.
- After-school musical sketch comedy programGuides children in creating and performing an original Musical Sketch Comedy Revue through student-led improvisation, character creation, and collaborative scripting, with comic lyrics set to well-known musical compositions and professional live piano accompaniment in each class.
- Development and delivery of multidisciplinary performing arts curriculaDesigns and implements child-focused, multidisciplinary performing arts curricula including Musical Theater Builders, Filmmakers Workshop, Dancing Designers, and Puppet Theater Workshop, delivered through after-school programs, camps, and workshops.
- Puppet theater workshop for childrenOffers a puppet theater workshop where children create original puppet characters, learn construction and manipulation techniques, and perform in a final showcase for family and friends, while developing social-emotional skills, confidence, collaboration, and self-expression.
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Children's Themed Birthday Parties 1 activity
- Custom birthday parties based on Creative Stage programsHosts themed birthday parties for children enrolled in Creative Stage camps and classes, customizing activities around preferred program elements such as improv, filmmaking, or puppetry, for groups of 4 to 20 participants.
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Puppetry and Improv Theater Programs 1 activity
- Performance and showcase events for student workHosts regular public performances and viewing events—including improv showcases, film screenings, and puppet theater presentations—at venues such as Symphony Space, NYPL, and Carnegie Hall, enabling students to share original productions with family, friends, and broader audiences.
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New Play Development Programs 1 activity
- Youth and professional artist collaboration for original theater productionFacilitates intergenerational collaboration between youth and professional artists to create and perform original theater works, including annual devised performances such as Creative Stage Spectacular! and Summer Shebang!, fostering creativity, empathy, and connection across diverse communities in New York City.
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Youth & Emerging Filmmaker Training 1 activity
- Youth filmmaking workshop and short film productionProvides hands-on workshops where youth create original short films through storyboarding, filming, acting, directing, and producing, with completed works shared at viewing parties for family and friends at the end of each semester.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$61K
Contributions & grants$43K71%
Program service revenue$17K29%
Investment income$1820%
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$71K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$6K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$6K
2 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +4491.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 1
- Neiza Davis — Director
relationships · 17
Who they work with
- Bronx Zoo Partner — Professional affiliation of instructor Tiffany Iris, suggesting applied puppetry or performance experience in informal education or public engagement settings.
- Clare Wasserman Partner — Co-created the "Dancing Designers" program.
- Concert Artists Guild Partner — Collaborated on the performance "Instrumental Storytellers" at Symphony Space in 2020.
- Harvard Gazette Partner — Cited as a source validating the real-world benefits of improv training.
- JCC, Harlem Partner — Collaborating institution in Creative Stage programs
- Manhattan School for Children Partner — Collaborating institution in Creative Stage programs
- NZTrio Partner — Collaborated on "Musical Madlibs" in Auckland, New Zealand in 2021.
- New Victory Theater Partner — Professional affiliation of instructor Tiffany Iris, indicating a connection through artistic practice and performance experience.
- Professional adult singer/actors Partner — Collaborates with professional adult singer/actors who co-create the script and support students in performance development.
- Teaching Channel Partner — Cited as a source supporting the educational benefits of improv for K-12 students.
- The Cathedral School Partner — Collaborating institution in Creative Stage programs
- The School at Columbia University Partner — Collaborating institution in Creative Stage programs
- The School at Columbia University Partner — Hosted the Musical Theater Builders after-school program, where Creative Stage taught students over multiple years.
- Tiffany Iris Partner — Co-created the "Puppet Theater Workshop" program.
- actor Partner — Industry professional who leads students in the filmmaking workshop.
- musictheaterbuilders.com Partner — Co-branded partner for birthday party planning and services.
- professional filmmaker Partner — Industry professional who leads students in the filmmaking workshop.
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.
- Intergenerational Co-Creation for Youth Developmentmethodology: intergenerational_collaborationBy collaborating with professional artists across generations, youth develop confidence, creativity, and social-emotional resilience because the co-creative process values their voice, builds mutual empathy, and situates learning in authentic artistic production.
- Student-Centered Creative Ownershipmethodology: student-centered_creationBy involving children directly in creating characters, scripts, and performances through improvisation and collaboration, they develop literacy, confidence, and resilience because ownership of the creative process deepens engagement and self-expression.