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

ROAD LESS TRAVELED PRODUCTIONS LTD

BUFFALO, NY · EIN 651226927 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE A65 · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Small ($100K-$1M) · roadlesstraveledproductions.org
revenue
$659K
expenses
$670K
net assets
$688K
employees
62
volunteers
30
program ratio
84%
mission · from form 990

Road Less Traveled Productions challenges audiences through provocative storytelling and passionate artistry. The RLTP Ensemble constructs bold and imaginative ways to explore, discuss, and understand timely and timeless issues that connect diverse communities, globally and locally, to the commonality of human experience. Our mission is to develop the canon of contemporary voices through production of new and notable works by regional and national playwrights, creating unforgettable live theatre experiences that bring value to our lives.

profile · synthesized from sources

Road Less Traveled Productions is a nonprofit theater company based in Buffalo, NY, dedicated to producing bold and contemporary live theater that explores timely social issues. The company develops new works by regional and national playwrights and fosters inclusive storytelling through its ensemble of professional artists. It operates a state-of-the-art theater venue in downtown Buffalo and engages local and national theater talent to enrich Western New York's cultural landscape.

named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

American Theatre Masters Series
Brings nationally acclaimed theater artists to Buffalo to collaborate on productions and engage with the local theater community.
Bridge Program
16-week paid internship for artists of color, providing hands-on experience and career development in theater production.
Buffalo’s Own
Program that brings nationally recognized theater artists originally from Western New York back to collaborate on productions.
RLTP Ensemble
Professional ensemble of actors, directors, designers, and playwrights from Western New York who shape the artistic vision and serve as community ambassadors.
UnScripted Comedy Improv
Weekly improv show featuring local performers using the set of the current RLTP production, blending theater and comedy.
activities · 5 groups

What they do

  • Organized Member Social Events 1 activity
    • Host community engagement events in theater lounge
      Operates a multi-use cocktail lounge space for community events including weekly improv performances, monthly karaoke, monthly "Zero Tech Tuesdays" featuring arts and crafts, and a weekly lunch event for downtown workers.
  • Performing Arts Ticket Access Programs 1 activity
    • Offer membership and ticket accessibility programs
      Provides a membership program offering cost savings on tickets, including four redeemable tickets across the season and discounts on additional purchases, along with discounted or complimentary admission for Arts Access pass holders and discounted flex packs to increase access to performances.
  • Performing Arts Venue Rental 1 activity
    • Operate professional theater venue with enhanced facilities
      Maintains a state-of-the-art theater venue at 456 Main Street in downtown Buffalo, opened in 2018, with a 1,600-square-foot expanded lounge and full liquor cocktail bar added in 2023 to support audience engagement and accessibility.
  • Professional Theatrical Production 1 activity
    • Produce annual season of contemporary theatrical works
      Produces a yearly theater season featuring new and notable plays by regional and national playwrights, including recent productions such as Sweat, Clyde’s, and a stage adaptation of The Da Vinci Code. The 2026/2027 season is currently announced.
  • Arts and Cultural Workforce Training 1 activity
    • Run paid internship program for artists of color
      Operates a 16-week, paid internship program designed to provide professional theater experience and support long-term career development for artists of color.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$659K
Contributions & grants$230K35%
Program service revenue$428K65%
Investment income$5770%
Other revenue$928
expenses
Total expenses$670K
Program expenses84%
Admin / overhead13%
Fundraising4%
Salaries & benefits$285K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$992K
Cash$166K
Investments$85K
Liabilities$304K
Net assets$688K
Liquid reserves4.5 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +29.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
SCOTT BEHREND Executive Dir. 50 $57K
board members · 10
  • ABIGAIL SIZE — Secretary
  • JANE HAMILTON — CO-CHAIR
  • KEVIN O'LEARY — Director
  • MARK TRAMONT — Treasurer
  • MATTHEW CUMMINGS — Director
  • MICHAEL ANDERSON — Director
  • MICHAEL BERCHOU — CO-CHAIR
  • MISHA RUSSO — Director
  • MONISH BHATTACHARYYA — VICE-CHAIR
  • SARA SCHUMACHER — Director
relationships · 21

Who they work with

  • Alejandro Gómez Partner — Cast Alejandro Gómez in the production of Clyde’s.
  • American Theatre Wing Funder — Received a National Theatre Company Grant from the American Theatre Wing in 2017.
  • Annie Baker Partner — Repeatedly produces plays written or adapted by Annie Baker.
  • Buffalo Improv House Partner — Collaborates with performers who are active members and co-owners of Buffalo Improv House, a dedicated improv theater in North Buffalo.
  • ComedySportz Partner — Shares performers who also perform with ComedySportz, suggesting collaborative ties with the organization.
  • Dan Brown Partner — Adapted the novel The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown for the stage.
  • Greg Howze Partner — Cast Greg Howze in the production of Clyde’s.
  • Irish Classical Theatre Company Partner — Collaborated to establish All for One Theatre Productions, Ltd. and co-present large-scale productions at Shea’s 710 Theatre.
  • John Hurley Partner — Collaborated with director John Hurley on the production of Clyde’s.
  • Johnny Barden Partner — Cast ensemble member Johnny Barden in the production of Clyde’s.
  • Jukebox Fox Partner — Provides karaoke catalog for Karaoke Tuesdays events.
  • Lynn Nottage Partner — Produced plays written by Lynn Nottage, including Clyde’s and Sweat.
  • Melinda Capeles Partner — Cast Melinda Capeles in the production of Clyde’s.
  • MusicalFare Theatre Partner — Collaborated to establish All for One Theatre Productions, Ltd. and co-present large-scale productions at Shea’s 710 Theatre.
  • National New Play Network Network — Selected in 2012 as the first New York State-based member of the National New Play Network, an alliance supporting the development and production of new plays.
  • Samuel French Partner — Participates in the Playwrights Welcome program, which provides complimentary tickets to playwrights through a partnership with Samuel French.
  • Scott Behrend Partner — Director of the production Epiphany.
  • Second City Network — Features performers trained at Second City in Toronto, indicating affiliation with its improv network and training methodology.
  • Shea’s Performing Arts Center Partner — Collaborated to establish All for One Theatre Productions, Ltd. and co-present large-scale productions at Shea’s 710 Theatre.
  • Theatre of Youth Partner — Collaborated to establish All for One Theatre Productions, Ltd. and co-present large-scale productions at Shea’s 710 Theatre.
  • Victoria Pérez Partner — Cast Victoria Pérez in the production of Clyde’s.
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.

  • Analog, Phone-Free Engagement for Deeper Connection
    methodology: analog-social-engagement
    By hosting phone-free social events centered on creative activities, the organization encourages in-person connection and meaningful engagement, because removing digital distractions fosters more authentic and immersive social experiences.
  • Imaginative Theatrical Formats for Cross-Community Connection
    methodology: imaginative_theatrical_exploration
    By employing bold and imaginative theatrical formats, the organization facilitates exploration of shared human experiences that link diverse communities, because innovative performance styles lower cultural barriers and foster empathetic understanding across social differences.
  • Inclusive Storytelling to Foster Cultural Engagement
    methodology: culturally_inclusive_storytelling
    By centering diverse cultural, racial, and ethnic perspectives in storytelling and community dialogue, the organization fosters inclusive audience engagement, because representation in narrative builds belonging and expands the relevance of theater across different communities.
  • Low-Barrier Access to Promote Community Participation
    methodology: community_access_program
    By offering low-cost access through Arts Access passes and creating inclusive entertainment events, the organization fosters community engagement and joyful social connection, because reducing financial and social barriers increases participation from underserved populations and broadens cultural reach.
  • Provocative Storytelling to Stimulate Engagement
    methodology: provocative_storytelling
    By using provocative storytelling and passionate artistry, the organization challenges audience perspectives and stimulates engagement with complex human issues, because emotionally resonant and intellectually challenging narratives create deeper audience investment and critical reflection.