irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2022
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $102K"OUR VOICES, OUR TIME" ONE-ACT PLAY FESTIVAL (OCTOBER 2022): PREMIERED THREE NEW WORKS - "CLIPPER CUT NATION" (BLAK) ON COMMUNITY SURVIVAL AND FORGIVENESS; "WHAT IF" (ROBINSON) ON A BLACK MOTHER'S FEAR FOR HER ACTIVIST DAUGHTER: AND "I DON'T DO THAT" (WASHINGTON) EXPLORING CULTURAL TENSIONS IN A RELATIONSHIP, PERFORMING AT THE ANNENBERG CENTER (UPENN) AND NYC.
named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Emerging Playwrights Competition
Program supporting new talent, featuring winning plays such as "Unentitled" in full production at venues like 59E59 Theaters
NEC Residency at Penn Live Arts
Partnership with the University of Pennsylvania to produce and present theater works, including revivals and new productions, at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
Our Voices, Our Time One-Act Play Festival
Annual festival premiering new works by emerging Black playwrights, including productions such as "Clipper Cut Nation," "What If," and "I Don't Do That"
Zooman and the Sign
Revival of Charles Fuller's 1980 play about a Black man's violent act and its aftermath, presented as part of NEC's ongoing production series in Philadelphia and New York
activities · 3 groups
What they do
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New Play Development Programs 2 activities
- One-act play festivals showcasing emerging Black playwrightsPresents annual or periodic one-act play festivals such as "Our Voices, Our Time," featuring new works by African-American playwrights, with performances at venues including the Annenberg Center at UPenn and in New York City, supporting the development and public presentation of emerging talent.
- Staged readings of new plays by emerging Black playwrightsHosts staged readings of new works by emerging playwrights, including "WHAT IF" by Omar Moore, "The Ghostmans" by Jeannine Foster McKelvia, and multiple readings of "No Ordinary Days" by Jeannette Hill, at theaters such as Gene Frankel Theater and Actors Temple Theater, as part of its commitment to developing new voices in Black theater.
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Professional Theatrical Production 1 activity
- Production and staging of new and classic plays by Black playwrightsProduces and stages theatrical works, including premieres and revivals of plays by African-American, African, and Caribbean playwrights, such as "No Ordinary Days," "Zooman and the Sign," "Ceremonies in Dark Old Men," and "Lambs to Slaughter," at venues including the Cherry Lane Theatre, Gene Frankel Theater, and Penn Live Arts. The organization has produced over 200 new plays since 1967 and provides a theatrical home for thousands of cast and crew members.
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Arts Professional Advocacy & Equity Initiatives 1 activity
- Professional development and artistic support for Black theater artistsProvides professional development and artistic opportunities for African-American, African, and Caribbean artists in the performing arts, fostering career growth and creative expression within the Black theater community.
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financials · form 990 · fy2022
revenue
Total revenue$361K
Contributions & grants$243K67%
Program service revenue$118K33%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$292K
Program expenses82%
Admin / overhead18%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$84K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$307K
Cash$99K
Investments$0
Liabilities$172K
Net assets$135K
Liquid reserves4.0 mo
5 years on record · 2018–2022 · YoY revenue +49.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2022
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAREN A BROWN | EXECUTIVE DI | 40 | $80K |
board members · 5
- DOUGLAS WADE — BOARD MEMBER
- JACQUELINE JEFFRIES — BOARD MEMBER
- PATRICE DAVIDSON — BOARD MEMBER
- RICHARD WASHINGTON — BOARD MEMBER
- TRACY MACK — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 21
Who they work with
- 9E59 Theaters Partner — Venue partner for the production of "Unentitled" in August–September 2024
- Association of Performing Arts Professionals Funder — Provided an ArtsForward grant to support NEC's programming.
- Douglas Turner Ward Partner — Co-founder of the Negro Ensemble Company, Inc.
- Faith Steps Productions Partner — Presented a reading series in association with The Negro Ensemble Company.
- Ford Foundation Funder — Provided initial funding that enabled the official formation of the Negro Ensemble Company in 1967.
- Gene Frankel Theater Partner — Venue hosting performances of "No Ordinary Days."
- Gerald Krone Partner — Co-founder of the Negro Ensemble Company, Inc.
- LA MAMA Partner — Collaborates with LA MAMA to present performances at LA MAMA Shares, utilizing provided theater space for non-curated productions.
- La MaMa Shares Partner — Provided theater space for the non-curated production "No Policy No Justice" in March 2024.
- Lawrence Floyd Partner — Served as Production Manager and Assistant Stage Manager for the production.
- Patricia R Floyd Partner — Directed the production of "Day of Absence" and "Remaining Absent".
- Penn Live Arts Funder — Provided support to NEC through the Penn Live Arts Accelerator Program.
- Penn Live Arts Partner — Co-presented productions including "Zooman and the Sign" and hosted the NEC residency for the "Our Voices Our Time One-Act Play Festival."
- Penn Live Arts Partner — Co-presented the production "Zooman and the Sign" with The Negro Ensemble Company, Inc.
- Robert Hooks Partner — Co-founder of the Negro Ensemble Company, Inc.
- The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Funder — Supported the ArtsForward grant awarded to NEC through the Association of Performing Arts Professionals.
- The Peccadillo Theater Company Partner — Co-presented the production "Day of Absence" by Douglas Turner Ward.
- The Sachs Program for Arts Innovation Funder — Provided an Extended Artist Residency grant to support NEC's programming.
- University of Pennsylvania Partner — Hosted performances of "Zooman and the Sign" and "Elevator Not Necessary" at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.
- University of Pennsylvania Partner — Hosted performances of the "Our Voices, Our Time" festival at the Annenberg Center (UPenn).
- University of Pennsylvania Partner — Hosted the Penn Live Arts Accelerator Program which provided support to NEC.
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.
- Amplification of Emerging Black Voices Through Structured Platformsmethodology: emerging-playwright-supportBy hosting competitions and festivals that showcase new works by emerging Black playwrights, the organization expands representation in theater, because dedicated platforms are necessary to counter systemic exclusion and enable underrepresented voices to reach audiences and industry professionals.
- Artist Development Through Nurturing Environmentmethodology: artist_nurturingBy providing a supportive and professional environment for Black artists to work and learn, the organization fosters artistic growth and career advancement, because such nurturing spaces are essential for underrepresented artists to thrive and sustainably contribute to the field.
- Culturally Relevant Theater to Engage Underserved Audiencesmethodology: culturally_relevant_theatreBy producing theater that centers Black experiences and family life, the organization connects with culturally diverse audiences who are overlooked by mainstream theater, because authentic, identity-centered storytelling increases relevance, attendance, and community investment.
- Speculative and Satirical Theater to Expose Systemic Inequitiesmethodology: speculative_satireBy employing satire and speculative scenarios—such as role reversal or the sudden absence of Black people—the organization reveals the hidden dependencies and biases in American society, because imaginative exaggeration makes systemic racism visible and challenges audiences to confront uncomfortable truths.
- Theater as a Tool for Social Inquiry and Healingmethodology: theater-as-social-inquiryBy using narrative and dramatic forms to explore systemic racism, grief, mental health, and family dynamics, the organization promotes communal understanding and emotional processing, because theater creates a shared space for reflection, empathy, and healing around urgent social issues.