irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $465KMCC's Artistic Department continued to develop new work through Discovery Readings, PlayLabs, and projects tracked for production. In the 2024-2025 season, MCC continued the PlayLab Initiative, through experimental readings of new plays ("PURE GLITTER", "TRINITY") and continued our SongLabs program, which follows the PlayLabs model but for musicals. Some notable works include "BIG FOOT"ASSISTED".
- #2 $667KMCC's Department of Learning & Culture (formerly called Public Engagement and Education) has continued its major initiatives in the 2024-2025 season: The MCC Theater Youth Company, MCC Classroom Partnerships and Public Engagement events. MCC Public Engagement initiative included: multiple themed audience conversations and expert led talkbacks that aligned with each production, as well as community centered free events and workshops, in collaboration with local community partners. Due to the season calendar and content of certain productions, MCC paused their Student Matinees program and will resume in the 2025-2026 season. Learning & Culture initiatives served approximately 1,400-2,000 students, young people and members of our community
named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
Discovery Readings
Reading series for new works in development, providing playwrights with feedback and exposure
FRESHPLAY Festival
Annual festival featuring staged readings of original plays by youth playwrights developed through the Playwriting Lab with professional mentorship
LiveLabs
Virtual performance initiative launched during the pandemic, broadcasting one-act plays online with post-show talkbacks
MCC Theater Youth Company
Youth performance lab for NYC high school students that devises and produces original works, culminating in annual UNCENSORED productions
PlayLab Initiative
Workshop program for experimental readings of new plays, supporting playwrights in developing original work for production
SongLab
Development program for new musicals using the PlayLab model, including staged readings and creative collaboration
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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New Play Development Programs 2 activities
- Developing new plays and musicals through lab programsSupports the development of new theatrical works through PlayLab, SongLabs, and Judith Champion Playlabs Reading Series, including experimental readings of works like "PURE GLITTER" and "TRINITY," and producing short-form content such as the "SPACE DOGS" musical video.
- Supporting emerging playwrights through mentorship and staged readingsProvides mentorship and development opportunities for student and emerging playwrights through the FRESHPLAY Festival and Playwriting Lab, resulting in staged readings of original ten-minute and one-act plays with professional artistic support.
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Organizational DEI Capacity Building 1 activity
- Advancing organizational equity and inclusion practicesEngaged in multi-year equity training with Dr. Darnisa Amante-Jackson and DEEP Corporate Consulting Partners, and participated in the ART/NY Diversifying Our Organizations initiative to strengthen anti-racism, accessibility, and inclusivity across staff, leadership, and board operations.
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Benefit Events for Arts and Culture 1 activity
- Hosting benefit and digital premiere eventsHosts annual benefit events such as MISCAST26 at external venues like The Manhattan Center’s Hammerstein Ballroom and produces digital broadcasts, including the worldwide premiere of MISCAST26 and YouTube-based LiveLabs one-act plays during the pandemic.
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Accessibility Services for Cultural Programs 1 activity
- Operating an accessible theater facility with public amenitiesOperates a fully ADA-compliant theater complex in Hell’s Kitchen featuring self-opening doors, elevators, ramps, accessible restrooms, assistive listening devices, open captioning, touch tours, large print programs, and color-blind accessible seating charts for all productions.
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Professional Theatrical Production 1 activity
- Producing Off-Broadway theatrical productionsProduces and presents a season of new Off-Broadway plays and musicals, including world premieres such as "Birthright," "ANON – a tempest at our kitchen table," and "THE HEART SELLERS," in its two-performance theater complex in Hell’s Kitchen. Extended runs and released studio albums tied to productions, such as "MCC Theater's MisCast: The Studio Sessions."
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Performing Arts Ticket Access Programs 1 activity
- Providing subsidized and accessible ticketing optionsMakes rush tickets available for all shows with no fees for students and schools, and operates a simplified ticket subsidy program to increase access for underfunded schools attending live theater performances.
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Youth Theater Arts Education 1 activity
- Running youth theater education and development programsEngages over 1,200 to 2,000 New York City high school students annually through the MCC Youth Company, Classroom Partnerships, and community workshops that include devising original performances, personal growth activities, and participation in the annual UNCENSORED production.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$8.64M
Contributions & grants$3.93M45%
Program service revenue$4.48M52%
Investment income$218K3%
Other revenue$20K
expenses
Total expenses$8.02M
Program expenses71%
Admin / overhead7%
Fundraising22%
Salaries & benefits$4.22M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$29.34M
Cash$2.13M
Investments$2.21M
Liabilities$3.47M
Net assets$25.88M
Liquid reserves6.5 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -2.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 5
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BLAKE west | EXEcutive director | 50 | $191K |
| LINDA WONG | FINANCE DIRECTOR | 40 | $135K |
| BETH DEMBROW | General Manager | 40 | $128K |
| BERNARD TELSEY | CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR | 20 | $83K |
| WILL CANTLER | CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR | 20 | $83K |
board members · 18
- BARBARA DORAN — BOARD MEMBER
- Beth Klein — Board Member
- CATHY GLASER — BOARD MEMBER
- Claudia Hirsch — Board Member
- DAVID LLOYD — VICE CHAIR
- Devashish Jain — TREASURER
- Erik Piecuch — BOARD MEMBER
- JODI SCHNEIDER — BOARD MEMBER
- JUDITH LIGHT — BOARD MEMBER
- KAREEM CRAYTON — BOARD MEMBER
- LOIS WEINROTH — BOARD MEMBER
- MARIANNE MILLS — chair
- MELVIN EPSTEIN — BOARD MEMBER
- NEIL MITCHELL — BOARD MEMBER
- NICOLE EISENBERG — BOARD MEMBER
- PETER HEDGES — BOARD MEMBER
- ROBERT DIDIANO — Secretary
- SUSAN FRANKEL — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 43
Who they work with
- ARDESIA Partner — Recommended restaurant partner located directly across the street for pre- and post-show dining.
- ART/NY Network — MCC Theater participated in a network initiative led by ART/NY focused on organizational diversification and equity.
- Andrew Berman Architect Partner — Designed the Robert W. Wilson MCC Theater Space as the architectural firm of record.
- Axe-Houghton Foundation Funder — Supports MCC Theater’s Education Programs.
- BNY Partner — Partnered with for donor-advised fund giving through the DAF Direct tool.
- Bob Lupone Partner — Fund named in honor of Bob Lupone to support artistic and audience development.
- City of New York Government — Committed over $28 million toward the construction of the theater space, with support from the Mayor’s office and City Council.
- Clubbed Thumb Partner — Co-production partner for Cold War Choir Practice
- Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation Funder — Supports MCC Theater’s Education Programs.
- DEEP Corporate Consulting Partners Partner — Partnered with MCC Theater on multi-year training and coaching in equity, diversity, and inclusion for staff, leadership, and board members.
- Dr. Darnisa Amante-Jackson Partner — Collaborated with MCC Theater on multi-year equity and inclusion training and coaching for organizational stakeholders.
- Emily Davie and Joseph S. Kornfeld Foundation Funder — Supports MCC Theater’s Education Programs.
- Eric Rosedale Playwriting Fund Funder — Supports MCC Theater’s Education Programs.
- Fidelity Charitable Partner — Partnered with for donor-advised fund giving through the DAF Direct tool.
- Find Your Light Foundation Funder — Supports MCC Theater’s Education Programs.
- FourthWall Theatrical Partner — Producer of Birthright through Special Arrangement
- Francesco Simeti Partner — Commissioned artist who created two visual art installations for the theater’s façade and interior under the Percent for Art program.
- Harold J. Newman & Ruth Newman Funder — Supports MCC Theater’s Education Programs.
- Jenny Gersten Partner — Producer of Birthright through Special Arrangement
- Marisa Tomei Partner — Alumna of MCC Theater who credits the organization for her artistic foundation and community experience.
- Miami New Drama Partner — Commissioned and developed the play Birthright, which MCC Theater is presenting in its New York run
- Nederlander Organization Partner — Supported MISCAST26 as a Director-level supporter.
- New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Government — Provides public funds for MCC Theater’s Education Programs in partnership with the city council.
- New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Government — Supported the development of the Robert W. Wilson MCC Theater Space through the Percent for Art program.
- New York State Council on the Arts Government — Provides public funding support for MCC Theater’s Education Programs.
- Page 73 Partner — Co-production partner for Cold War Choir Practice
- Raben Group Partner — Led MCC Theater’s participation in the ART/NY Diversifying Our Organizations initiative to build inclusive, anti-racist organizational practices.
- Robert W. Wilson Charitable Trust Funder — Provided visionary support for the construction of the Robert W. Wilson MCC Theater Space.
- Schwab Charitable Partner — Partnered with for donor-advised fund giving through the DAF Direct tool.
- Sonia Friedman Productions Partner — Producer of Birthright through Special Arrangement
+ 13 more
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.
- Artist-Led Collaborative Developmentmethodology: artist_led_collaborationBy fostering a culture of mutual challenge, collaboration, and community among artists, the organization enables fearless creative risk-taking that leads to innovative theatrical works, because peer-driven artistic environments enhance creative ownership and developmental depth.
- Theater as Catalyst for Public Dialoguemethodology: art-as-dialogueBy creating provocative theatrical experiences and integrating audience input during development, the organization sparks sustained emotional, intellectual, and community-wide conversations, because art that challenges norms and includes audience voices deepens engagement and social impact.
- Youth and Emerging Artist Incubationmethodology: apprenticeship_modelBy providing platforms for youth-led storytelling and structured apprenticeships with professional mentorship, the organization develops new artistic voices and original works, because early-career support and creative agency increase artistic pipeline diversity and long-term field sustainability.