named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Adult Classes
Provides drop-in and ongoing classes for adults in dance styles including jazz, lyrical, and contemporary, as well as performance skill-building
Apprenticeship Program
Offers early-career theatre professionals and students hands-on experience in production departments with a $500 stipend and academic credit options
Professional Theatre Productions
Stages full productions of musicals and plays such as MEAN GIRLS, BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL, and PROOF at local venues including Shea’s 710 Theatre and Buffalo State University Flex Space
Youth Education Program
Offers semester-long and summer camp classes for children ages 5–17 in musical theatre, acting, and performance skills, culminating in public showcases
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Youth Theater Arts Education 2 activities
- Deliver youth theatre education programsOffers age-specific theatre instruction for children and youth ages 5–17, including programs focused on singing, acting, dancing, improvisation, scene creation, musical theatre, and multidisciplinary performance. Classes culminate in end-of-semester showcases held in December and May, building confidence, creativity, collaboration, and performance skills.
- Host summer theatre campOperates a performance-based summer camp for youth that includes on-stage and behind-the-scenes theatre training, culminating in a final performance at locations such as Buffalo State University Flex Space. Offers full and partial scholarships to qualifying students and has run programs in summer 2025 and April 2026.
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Nonprofit Sector Research & Data Analysis 1 activity
- Conduct research to advance equityConducts research related to equity to inform and guide organizational efforts in diversity, inclusion, and equity, ensuring practices are aligned with mission-driven goals for social impact.
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Arts and Cultural Workforce Training 1 activity
- Offer apprenticeship programProvides apprenticeships that include hands-on experience in production, a $500 stipend, academic and resume credit, professional development, free season tickets, and transportation stipends as needed, supporting early-career development in theatre.
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New Play Development Programs 1 activity
- Operate free reading seriesRuns a free reading series featuring new or lesser-known works, including the 2025 reading of "Georgia Mertching" by Catya McMullen, providing developmental opportunities for playwrights and access to emerging theatrical content for the public.
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Professional Theatrical Production 1 activity
- Produce theatrical productionsProduces award-winning and record-breaking theatrical productions, including full-scale musicals and plays such as "Mean Girls," "Bat Boy: The Musical," "Mamma Mia!," "Hedwig and the Angry Inch," and regional premieres like "Pure Glitter." These productions are staged at venues in Buffalo, NY, including Shea’s Smith Theatre and Shea’s 710 Theater, with rehearsals and performances conducted annually as part of a scheduled theater season.
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Ballet and Dance Education Programs 1 activity
- Provide adult dance instructionOffers drop-in adult dance classes for participants of all skill levels, held weekly on Sundays at Mount St. Mary Academy in Kenmore, NY, promoting community engagement and artistic participation among adults.
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Performing Arts Ticket Access Programs 1 activity
- Sell subscription packages for performancesOffers subscription packages for three theatrical performances at a discounted rate, including benefits such as one complimentary ticket to "Georgia Mertching" and special ticket rates for shows like "Mean Girls" at Shea's 710 Theater.
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Arts Professional Advocacy & Equity Initiatives 1 activity
- Support BIPOC artists through hiring and collaborationBuilds relationships with and hires Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) artists for theatrical productions and roles, advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within casting and creative teams.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$318K
Contributions & grants$211K66%
Program service revenue$105K33%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$2K
expenses
Total expenses$325K
Program expenses74%
Admin / overhead19%
Fundraising7%
Salaries & benefits$11K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$193K
Cash$179K
Investments$0
Liabilities$0
Net assets$193K
Liquid reserves6.6 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -20.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRISTIN BENTLEY | EXECUTIVE DI | 10 | $11K |
board members · 11
- CANDACE MORRISSON — VICE PRESIDE
- CELINE KRZAN — SECRETARY
- FARRAH ZIDEHSARAL — TREASURER
- GISELLE LEWANDOWSKI — TRUSTEE
- IRENE FREDO LESSARD — TRUSTEE
- JENNA LUEHRSEN — TRUSTEE
- LORI STILWELL — TRUSTEE
- MARY LOLIGER — TRUSTEE
- MICHAEL GARVEY — PRESIDENT
- MICHELLE PARKER — TRUSTEE
- ROMEO WHOU — TRUSTEE
relationships · 14
Who they work with
- Buffalo State College Partner — Collaborates with Buffalo State College to offer academic credit to student apprentices.
- Buffalo State University Partner — Hosts the 2nd Gen Summer Musical camp at its campus.
- Fredonia Partner — Collaborates with Fredonia to offer academic credit to student apprentices.
- Leah Berst Partner — Instructor for Intermediate Acting class for ages 13–17.
- Maria Kreutinger Partner — Instructor for Acting 101 and Theatre is Everywhere! classes for ages 10–13.
- Mel Stang Partner — Instructor for Journey into Musicals and Journey into Acting classes for ages 7–9.
- Mount St. Mary Academy Partner — Hosts Second Generation Theatre's adult classes at its facility in Kenmore, NY.
- Niagara University Partner — Collaborates with Niagara University to offer academic credit to student apprentices.
- Second Generation Theatre Network — Member of the Buffalo theatre community continuing the tradition of great theatre in the region.
- Shea’s 710 Theater Partner — Venue hosting the production of "Mean Girls" by Second Generation Theatre.
- Shea’s Smith Theatre Partner — Venue partner for the production and performance of "Bat Boy: The Musical."
- University at Buffalo Partner — Co-founded by University at Buffalo graduates, indicating institutional and educational ties.
- University at Buffalo Partner — Collaborates with the University at Buffalo to offer academic credit to student apprentices.
- arts-access.org Partner — Partner organization offering ticket discounts to subscribers through the Arts Access Pass program.
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.
- Community-Engaged Theatre for Cross-Generational Understandingmethodology: community-engaged theatreBy integrating theatre with education and audience engagement, the organization fosters cross-generational and cross-cultural understanding, because shared artistic experiences build community unity and long-term involvement in the arts.
- Inclusive Artistic Practices to Advance Equity in Theatremethodology: systemic_equity_governanceBy implementing inclusive casting, equitable hiring, transparent communication, and systemic equity governance, the organization advances diversity and trust in its artistic and organizational practices, because structural inclusivity enables authentic representation and fosters a culture of belonging.
- Youth Engagement Through Developmentally Appropriate and Experiential Theatre Educationmethodology: process-over-productBy using age-based, experiential learning methods that emphasize process over product, the organization cultivates creativity, confidence, and lifelong interest in theatre among young people, because imaginative play and developmentally tailored instruction support holistic personal growth.