irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2022
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $2KLive music and comedy shows as well as other types of community performances for which tickets are sold
named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
Comedy Writing Program
Instruction in creating original comedy sketches and content for stage and screen, focusing on character development and premise-driven writing.
Creative Learning Experiences for Schools
Arts-in-education programs including assemblies, field trips, and in-school workshops in improv, storytelling, and theater for K–12 students, aligned with NY State learning standards.
Save a Seat Campaign
Capital campaign to fund the restoration and reopening of the theater’s auditorium and stage for expanded community programming.
Team Communication & Collaboration Workshops
Improv-based training for organizations focusing on communication, teamwork, adaptability, and leadership through interactive exercises.
Uptown Comedy Festival
Annual four-day festival featuring over 80 performers from around the world, offering live comedy performances and workshops led by veteran instructors.
Youth and Adult Improv Classes
Weekly classes in improvisation for kids, teens, and adults, teaching fundamentals of unscripted performance, collaboration, and creative expression.
activities · 9 groups
What they do
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Youth Theater Arts Education 2 activities
- Deliver arts-based educational programs for K–12 studentsOffers in-school and theatre-based programs using theatre, storytelling, and improvisation to build communication, collaboration, creativity, confidence, and social-emotional learning skills; includes curriculum-aligned residencies and assemblies such as Improv Stories Live! and Story-to-Stage, eligible for BOCES funding.
- Provide field trips and immersive arts experiences for studentsHosts full-day field trips at the historic Uptown Theatre featuring guided tours, hands-on workshops, live improv performances, and optional student showcases; includes planned 2026 launch of the Improv & Film Experience combining improvisation, film, and story development in the renovated auditorium.
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Historic Theater and Arts Venue Preservation 1 activity
- Conduct capital campaigns and theatre restoration projectsEngages in organizational revitalization through capital campaigns and multi-phase restoration of the Uptown Theatre, including hazardous materials abatement, installation of new boiler and LED lighting systems, accessibility upgrades, and restoration of interior architectural features, resulting in a Certificate of Occupancy for the lower main auditorium.
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Arts Education Professional Development 1 activity
- Deliver professional learning programs for educatorsProvides professional development for educators using theatre, improvisation, and storytelling to enhance creativity, communication, classroom engagement, and classroom culture, offering practical tools and fresh perspectives applicable in educational settings.
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Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
- Host annual comedy festivals and special eventsOrganizes large-scale events such as The Uptown Comedy Festival, featuring over 80 performers from around the world, with live comedy shows and workshops led by veteran instructors.
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Leadership Development Programs 1 activity
- Offer corporate and organizational workshops in improv and communicationProvides tailored workshops for organizations using improvisation to improve communication, collaboration, leadership, and workplace culture, including single-session, half-day, full-day, and multi-session formats addressing team morale, conflict resolution, onboarding, and leadership development.
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Community Art Education Workshops 1 activity
- Offer improv and comedy training for youth and adultsProvides improv and sketch writing classes for youth and adults at a renovated storefront studio, including youth improv classes that build creativity, communication, and teamwork, and a comedy writing program focused on character and premise-driven sketch development.
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Puppetry and Improv Theater Programs 1 activity
- Produce live comedy, music, and community performancesProduces live improv performances, unscripted comedy shows created from audience suggestions, music events, and special community performances, including ticketed events at the Uptown Theatre and its renovated lobby space.
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Performing Arts Venue Rental 1 activity
- Rent performance and event equipment and spacesProvides renter access to equipment such as cocktail tables, chairs, and AV gear, and offers venue rental for events and performances at the Uptown Theatre.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Operate low-cost community entertainment programsHosts the year-long Two Dollar Tuesday movie series, offering affordable entertainment to local residents.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$696K
Contributions & grants$605K87%
Program service revenue$47K7%
Investment income$7190%
Other revenue$43K
expenses
Total expenses$205K
Program expenses100%
Admin / overhead0%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$64K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.44M
Cash$150K
Investments$0
Liabilities$492K
Net assets$948K
Liquid reserves8.8 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +261.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEVIN MAHONEY | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $41K |
| BRIANA MAHONEY | DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS | 10 | $210 |
board members · 9
- CATHERINE MCENROE — DIRECTOR
- CHASE CLIFFORD MANLEY — DIRECTOR
- DEAN GORDON — DIRECTOR
- ELLEN RAINEY — DIRECTOR
- MALIK JOHHSON — DIRECTOR
- MICHAEL GOULD — SECRETARY
- REGO MARQUIIS — VICE PRESIDENT
- SPARKLE ANTHONY — DIRECTOR
- TIM SCHRAM — PRESIDENT
relationships · 26
Who they work with
- AIS Partner — Partnered with UPTOWN THEATER FOR CREATIVE ARTS INC to deliver a live improv workshop at a corporate summit for over 150 employees.
- Bank of Utica Partner — Donor contributor to the Save A Seat capital campaign at the $1000+ level.
- Cherry Road Technologies Partner — Director Tim Schram represents Cherry Road Technologies
- Clinton Middle School Partner — Hosted Uptown Improv Co. workshops and presentation for students.
- Ford English Financial Group Partner — Director Catherine McEnroe represents Ford English Financial Group
- Goodman Theatre Partner — Board member Rick Glass represents Goodman Theatre
- Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce Partner — Donor contributor to the Save A Seat capital campaign at the $500 level.
- Hamilton College Partner — Director Briana Mahoney represents Hamilton College
- Head Global Partner — Collaborated with UPTOWN THEATER FOR CREATIVE ARTS INC on a team communication workshop for a remote team during an annual retreat.
- Herkimer and Oneida County Community Foundation Funder — Provided a grant supporting the completion of Phase 2 of the Uptown Theatre Restoration Plan, which included renovation of the theater lobby.
- Jay-K Lumber Partner — Supported Phase 1 of the Uptown Theatre Restoration Plan through contributions enabling renovation of the former Michael’s Jewelers storefront.
- M&T Bank/Partners Trust Bank Charitable Fund at the Community Foundation Funder — Contributor to the Save A Seat capital campaign through a charitable fund.
- MVHS Partner — Worked with UPTOWN THEATER FOR CREATIVE ARTS INC to provide a team-building workshop for first-year Family Medicine Residents focused on communication and collaboration.
- Mohawk Valley Community College Partner — Regularly brings students to Uptown Theatre for Creative Arts for educational experiences.
- NYS Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation Government — Provided $675,000 through the Environmental Protection Fund to complete historic restoration and enable expanded programming and cultural tourism at the Uptown Theatre.
- New York State Government — Aligns student learning outcomes with New York State's Portrait of a Graduate framework.
- New York State Government — Awarded a $500,000 New York Main Street Grant through the Regional Economic Development Council to support the restoration of the Uptown Theatre.
- New York State Council on the Arts Funder — Provided funding support for The Uptown Comedy Festival, which brought over 80 performers to South Utica for live comedy and workshops.
- New York State Council on the Arts Government — Primary supporter of UTCA's programming through state arts funding.
- OHM BOCES Government — Partner agency through which UTCA's student programs are eligible for Arts-in-Education and Exploratory Enrichment funding.
- Project Fibonacci STEAM Leadership Conference Partner — Collaborated with Uptown Theatre for a featured workshop at the 2024 conference.
- Rocket Companies Partner — Co-President Rego Marquiis represents Rocket Companies
- Staffworks Fund at the Community Foundation Funder — Contributor to the Save A Seat capital campaign through a charitable fund.
- Stewart’s Shops, Dake Family Partner — Donor contributor to the Save A Seat capital campaign at the $1000+ level.
- University of Delaware Partner — Co-President Michael Gould represents University of Delaware
- briana@utcany.org Partner — Contact for rental inquiries and coordination at UPTOWN THEATER FOR CREATIVE ARTS INC
strategies · 3
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.
- Applied Improvisation for Team and Organizational Developmentmethodology: applied_improvisationBy applying improvisational techniques such as “Yes, and…”, active listening, and collaborative scene creation to training contexts, the organization fosters team effectiveness, adaptability, trust, and idea contribution, because these practices build psychological safety and real-time collaboration skills that transfer to educational and organizational settings.
- Arts-Based Life Skills Developmentmethodology: arts-integration-for-life-skillsBy using theatre, improvisation, storytelling, and collaborative play, the organization builds transferable life skills such as communication, collaboration, creativity, problem-solving, and self-confidence, because experiential arts engagement creates safe, low-risk environments for practicing real-world social and emotional competencies.
- Community-Powered Capital Investment Modelmethodology: people-powered_capital_campaignBy engaging the community in donor-driven capital campaigns, the organization funds facility revitalization and program expansion, because collective ownership and naming incentives increase donor commitment and long-term stakeholder investment in organizational sustainability.