named programs · 8 · from sources
What they call their work
Antigone in Analysis
Contemporary re-imagining of the Greek classic Antigone, presented at La MaMa Great Jones studios.
Freedom's Last Stand
Immersive theatrical production exploring nationalism, "white rage," and extremism in 21st century America, featuring multimedia elements and live music.
Good Jew
Solo performance based on interviews with a Holocaust survivor, presented at venues including the Museum of Jewish Heritage and Theatre Row.
Jane's Return / Janes Calling
Promenade performance honoring urban activist Jane Jacobs, presented as part of the Municipal Arts Society's Jane's Walk.
OFF Stage: the West/East Village Fragments
Walking performance celebrating the birth of downtown theater in New York City’s historic neighborhoods.
The Astor Place Riots
Virtual talk and tour about the 1849 riot where government forces killed citizens, created and performed by Ralph Lewis.
The Hare Trilogy
Performance work examining contemporary struggles with masculinity through a hybrid of video and live performance.
The Manna-Hata Project
Promenade performance reimagining the history of New York City, originally staged in the James A. Farley Post Office and later revisited on Governors Island and Hudson River Park.
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Site-Specific Artistic Installations and Performances 2 activities
- Deliver educational programming in unconventional performance practicesOffers master classes, workshops, and semester-long courses in site-specific and collaborative performance techniques, tailored to different skill levels and community contexts. Training emphasizes physical, spatial, and architectural engagement in non-traditional performance settings.
- Produce original, site-specific theatrical performancesCreates and presents original, site-specific, multi-disciplinary performances in non-traditional locations across New York City, such as post offices, parks, and historic buildings, often revealing hidden histories of the spaces. Productions include full runs, world premieres, and promenade-style events, with recent examples including "Manna-Hata" at the James A. Farley Post Office and "Afterparty: The Rothko Studio" at 222 Bowery.
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Professional Theatrical Production 2 activities
- Premiere and tour original theatrical film and stage productionsProduces and presents original theatrical film projects such as "The Hare Trilogy," culminating in live screenings, and tours stage works like "Floydada" to festivals including the Philadelphia Fringe Festival and (re)Happening in Asheville, NC.
- Produce interdisciplinary, feminist, and reimagined classical theaterProduces reinterpretations of classical works with feminist, metaphysical, or historical themes, such as "Antigone in Analysis," which centers Jocasta in conflict with Antigone, and "Androboros," adapted from America’s first known play. These productions have been presented at La MaMa ETC and other established theaters.
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Community-Engaged Theater Production 1 activity
- Create immersive and socially engaged performances on contemporary issuesStages immersive theatrical works addressing nationalism, "white rage," climate change, and urban activism. Performances are often tied to public events like Jane's Walk and include community engagement elements, such as promenade walks through Lower East Side streets or performances honoring Jane Jacobs.
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New Play Development Programs 1 activity
- Develop and stage new theatrical works and readingsDevelops and presents new plays and performance pieces through staged readings, workshops, and work-in-progress showings, often in collaboration with playwrights and activist artists. Examples include a staged reading revisiting 400+ years of NYC history, a benefit performance on the Astor Place Riots, and a reading exploring theater’s response to climate change.
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Experimental Circus and Immersive Theater Production 1 activity
- Present theme-based performance cabarets and curated performance seriesProduces quarterly, theme-based performance cabarets such as the "CITY SESSIONS" series, which explore NYC identity and history, presented at rotating venues across the five boroughs. Events include "All I Remember is Here" and other collaborative evenings celebrating native New Yorkers and urban life.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Co-present special performances and benefit eventsCo-presents one-night-only performances and benefit events, such as "GOOD JEW" and a memorial performance on the Astor Place Riots, often including post-show discussions or receptions with notable guests like CNN correspondent Elle Reeve.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$61K
Contributions & grants$53K86%
Program service revenue$9K14%
Investment income$40%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$71K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
balance sheet
Total assets$26K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$25K
5 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +18.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 3
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ralph Lewis | President/Co-Artistic Director | 30 | $1K |
| Barry Rowell | VP-Secretary/Co-Artistic Director | 15 | $1K |
| Catherine Porter | VP-Treasurer/Co-Artistic Director | 15 | $1K |
relationships · 98
Who they work with
- Art Office (Bulgaria) Partner — Collaborated on "Imagining America: a Promenade through the American Avant Garde" in Sofia, Bulgaria
- Black Mountain College Museum and Arts Center Partner — Hosted the premiere of "Planet X" during the 8th Annual (re)Happening festival in Asheville, NC
- CHARAS/El Bohio Community Center Partner — Co-hosted or supported Peculiar Works Project community-based performances.
- CNN Partner — Partner organization represented by correspondent Elle Reeve at a benefit performance and talkback event.
- Christopher Marte Government — NYC Council Member who supports funding for Peculiar Works Project.
- Christopher Marte Government — New York City Council member providing public funding support for Peculiar Works projects
- Christopher Marte Government — New York City Council member who provided funding support for Peculiar Works Project's projects.
- Christopher Marte Government — New York City Council member who provides funding support for Peculiar Works projects.
- Christopher Marte Government — New York City Council member who supports Peculiar Works Project through City Council funding.
- Christopher Marte Government — New York City Council member who supports Peculiar Works Project with public funds.
- Dixon Place Partner — Co-presented the City Sessions performance cabaret series with Peculiar Works Project.
- Dixon Place Partner — Hosts Peculiar Works Project's performance series CITY SESSIONS in The Lounge at Dixon Place.
- Dixon Place Partner — Presented the socially-distanced promenade performance "Unprecedented" and hosted earlier productions including "It's Good Enough For Me"
- Downtown Arts Festival Partner — Collaborated with Peculiar Works Project on festival programming.
- Envoy Gallery Partner — Collaborated with Peculiar Works Project on art and performance events.
- FRIGID New York Partner — Co-presented a memorial performance about the Astor Place Riots.
- Fourth Arts Block Association Partner — Collaborated with Peculiar Works Project on downtown arts programming.
- Fraunces Tavern Museum Partner — Co-presented the premiere of "Androboros" at 54 Pearl St., NYC
- Gershwin Hotel Partner — Provided venue or sponsorship support for Peculiar Works Project events.
- Gertrude Stein Rep. Partner — Co-produced past productions with Peculiar Works Project.
- HERE Arts Center Partner — Co-produced past productions with Peculiar Works Project.
- HOWL! Gallery Partner — Hosted the staged reading of "The Great Climate Crisis"
- Henry Street Settlement Partner — Collaborated with Peculiar Works Project to deliver food to Lower East Side residents in 2021.
- Instituto Cervantes Partner — Co-presented or hosted Peculiar Works Project performances.
- Jefferson Market Library and Garden Partner — Hosted Peculiar Works Project performances in public space.
- Jimmy's No. 43 Partner — Hosted or supported Peculiar Works Project performances.
- Judson Church Partner — Collaborated with Peculiar Works Project on community and performance initiatives.
- La MaMa Network — Longstanding affiliation including student performances, workshops, and co-productions at La MaMa venues
- La MaMa ETC Partner — Co-presented the world premiere of "Antigone in Analysis" at La MaMa's Downstairs Theatre.
- La MaMa ETC Partner — Co-presents theatrical productions, including the world premiere of "Antigone in Analysis."
+ 68 more
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.
- Feminist and Historical Reinterpretation Through Original Theatermethodology: feminist_theater_reinterpretationBy reimagining classical and historical narratives through feminist, metaphysical, and verbatim frameworks, the organization centers marginalized voices and critiques systemic power structures, because reframing narrative authority enables audiences to question dominant historical and social paradigms.
- Immersive Audience Engagement for Social Commentarymethodology: immersive_theater_for_social_commentaryBy designing multi-sensory, participatory performances that incorporate movement, live music, and media, the organization fosters deep audience immersion to confront sociopolitical issues like extremism, nationalism, and racial tension, because embodied experience generates stronger emotional and critical response than passive viewing.
- Interdisciplinary Collaborative Developmentmethodology: interdisciplinary_collaborationBy bringing together artists from diverse disciplines—including theater, music, film, and design—to co-create performances, the organization generates innovative works that reflect complex urban identities and histories, because cross-disciplinary exchange expands creative possibilities and deepens cultural resonance.
- Site-Specific Immersive Theatermethodology: site-specific_theaterBy creating performances in non-traditional, architecturally significant spaces, the organization produces immersive theatrical experiences that transform audience perception and deepen engagement, because the physical environment becomes an active element of storytelling and meaning-making.