named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Coming Out — An Evening of New Queer Musicals
All-LGBTQIA+ cast and creative team present songs from "Coming Out, the Musical" and other new queer works, celebrating LGBTQIA+ stories and voices in musical theatre
Ephraim Sykes: For The Record
Solo performance by Ephraim Sykes celebrating the music that shaped his life, from gospel roots to contemporary influences, featuring original material and personal storytelling
Live from 54 Below
Streaming series that broadcasts live performances from the venue to global audiences, recreating the in-person experience through exclusive, real-time access
The 305 Takes the 212: Celebrating Miami Artists
Cabaret show highlighting Miami-based performers, blending musical theatre, R&B, Latin pop, and soul to explore themes of home, identity, and artistic connection between Miami and New York
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Performing Arts Ticket Access Programs 1 activity
- Expand audience access through affordable ticketing programsOffers $15 floor seats with no food and beverage minimum for select shows, available first-come, first-served online, and provides a free membership program for audience members under 35 that includes discounted tickets ($35 or less) and complimentary ticket offers for select performances.
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Benefit Events for Arts and Culture 1 activity
- Produce themed and benefit performances to highlight diverse voices and causesProduces cabaret performances that celebrate specific communities and stories, such as Miami artists’ culture and queer musical works, and hosts benefit performances where a portion of ticket sales supports 54 Below or related causes.
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New Play Development Programs 1 activity
- Support emerging cabaret artists through educational programmingRuns the Genesis Project, an educational program that offers early-career cabaret artists, directors, and producers performance opportunities, master classes, mentorship, and networking to support professional development and artistic growth.
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Uncategorized 3 activities
- Present live cabaret performances in an intimate venueHosts up to three live shows per night at a 140-seat New York City venue designed for intimate viewing, with all tables within 24 feet of the stage, featuring interpretations of songs from the American Songbook and works by composers such as Berlin, Gershwin, Billy Joel, and Rodgers and Hammerstein. Performances include tributes, solo shows, and celebrations of formative music by accomplished artists like Billy Stritch and Ephraim Sykes.
- Provide public engagement events about organizational programmingHosts regular "Behind Below" events that offer the public insight into 54 Below's programming and nonprofit transition, including Q&A sessions with leadership and a continental breakfast.
- Stream live performances globally via 'Live from 54 Below' seriesProvides livestreamed access to select cabaret performances through the 'Live from 54 Below' series, broadcasting shows in real time to global audiences without on-demand availability afterward, replicating the immediacy of the in-person experience.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$8.60M
Contributions & grants$1.37M16%
Program service revenue$4.95M58%
Investment income$80%
Other revenue$2.28M
expenses
Total expenses$9.44M
Program expenses87%
Admin / overhead10%
Fundraising2%
Salaries & benefits$4.68M
Grants paid out$240
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$2.44M
Cash$9K
Investments$0
Liabilities$8.18M
Net assets$-5.74M
Liquid reserves0.0 mo
2 years on record · 2023–2024 · YoY revenue +55.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 8
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JENNIFER TEPPER | CREATIVE AND PROGRAMMING DIRECTOR | 50 | $159K |
| KATHLEEN GERMAN | DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT | 50 | $158K |
| MANDISA BOXIL | GENERAL MANAGER | 50 | $155K |
| HEIDI LIBBY | TREASURER | 50 | $133K |
| PIER LAMIA PORTER | DEPUTY PROGRAMMING DIRECTOR | 50 | $113K |
| SANDRA BOWERS | DIRECTOR OF PRIVATE EVENTS | 50 | $112K |
| RICHARD FRANKEL | MANAGING DIRECTOR | 40 | $100K |
| GEORGIA OSSOGUINE | SECRETARY | 15 | $51K |
board members · 14
- BRENDA BRAXTON — DIRECTOR
- BRIAN KALTNER — DIRECTOR
- DEBORAH LANDESMAN — DIRECTOR
- HOWARD LEE MORGAN — DIRECTOR
- JAMES GUNDERSON — DIRECTOR
- KENNETH GREINER — DIRECTOR
- LEE H PERLMAN — DIRECTOR
- LUCILLE WERLINCH — DIRECTOR
- MATT MILLER — DIRECTOR
- ROBERT L DILENSCHNEIDER — DIRECTOR
- STANLEY RICHARDS — DIRECTOR
- STEVEN BARUCH — PRESIDENT
- SUSAN L RAANAN — DIRECTOR
- TOM HOOD — DIRECTOR
relationships · 36
Who they work with
- Allison St. Rock Partner — Collaborates with Allison St. Rock as book, music, and lyrics creator for original queer musical works.
- Billy Stritch Partner — Featured performing artist who presents a tribute show celebrating Tony Bennett at 54 Below.
- Billy Stritch Partner — Performer collaborating with 54 Below for a live-streamed tribute show.
- Britani Bateman Partner — Featured performer presenting a multi-night show at 54 Below.
- BritishTheatre.com Partner — Provided a testimonial quote about the organization's performances.
- Broadway Network — Honors the music and community of Broadway through programming and performance.
- Charlie O Connor Partner — Collaborated on original music for the show "Star Stone: Cl*t Cult".
- Christine Andreas Partner — Featured performing artist in a cabaret engagement at 54 Below.
- Christophe Desorbay Partner — Producer of Britani Bateman's performance at 54 Below.
- D.R. King Partner — Features vocalist D.R. King as a performer in live events.
- Felisha Heng Partner — Collaborates with Felisha Heng as director for original queer musical performances.
- Heather Arnson Partner — Collaborates with director Heather Arnson on the production of live performances.
- James Klapak Partner — Executive Chef leading the restaurant operations at 54 Below.
- Jamie Jones Partner — Assistant producer of the cabaret event "The 305 Takes the 212"
- Jamie Jones Partner — Assistant producer of the event "The 305 Takes the 212: Celebrating Miami Artists"
- Jennifer Ashley Tepper Partner — Creative and Programming Director leading the creative team at 54 Below.
- Jess Ong Partner — Collaborates with Jess Ong as music director for original queer musical performances.
- John Lee Beatty Partner — Tony Award-winning designer responsible for the restaurant design of 54 Below.
- Kaleb Jon Wilkening Partner — Music director for the cabaret event "The 305 Takes the 212"
- Kaleb Jon Wilkening Partner — Music director for the event "The 305 Takes the 212: Celebrating Miami Artists"
- Ken Billington Partner — Tony Award-winning lighting designer for 54 Below.
- Lea Salonga Partner — Featured performer at a benefit event for 54 Below.
- Mandisa Boxill Partner — General Manager overseeing restaurant operations at 54 Below.
- Manny Houston Partner — Collaborates with music director Manny Houston on the musical direction of live performances.
- Marc Routh Partner — Co-founder and Tony Award-winning producer involved in launching and overseeing 54 Below.
- Martin Silvestri Partner — Music director and accompanist for Christine Andreas’ performance at 54 Below.
- Martin Silvestri Partner — Music director collaborating with 54 Below for performances, including Christine Andreas' show.
- Olutayo Bosede Partner — Features vocalist Olutayo Bosede as a performer in live events.
- Peter Hylenski Partner — Tony Award-winning sound designer for 54 Below.
- Remi Mark Partner — Director and producer of the cabaret event "The 305 Takes the 212"
+ 6 more
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.
- Artist-Centered Narrative Programmingmethodology: artist-centered narrative programmingBy programming performances that connect artists' personal histories and musical roots with contemporary expression, we create narrative-driven theatrical experiences that deepen audience connection, because authentic, story-based performances foster intimacy and emotional impact.
- Integrated Artistic and Hospitality Experiencemethodology: integrated_artistic_and_hospitality_experienceBy combining artistic excellence with high-quality hospitality and cuisine, we enhance audience engagement and uphold the cabaret tradition, because the full venue experience—beyond performance alone—shapes the perceived value and emotional resonance of live art.
- Intimate Cabaret Setting as Engagement Mechanismmethodology: intimate_performance_settingBy using an intimate performance setting, we create a close connection between performers and audiences, because physical proximity and reduced stage-audience distance enhance emotional resonance and foster a sense of personal participation in the narrative.
- Live-Only Streaming for Experiential Authenticitymethodology: live-experience replicationBy live-streaming performances in real time, we increase accessibility for global audiences while preserving the exclusivity and intimacy of the live cabaret experience, because simultaneity and unrecorded delivery replicate the emotional urgency and communal presence of in-person attendance.
- Subsidized Access to Broaden Audience Diversitymethodology: ticket_subsidyBy offering subsidized ticket pricing, we lower economic barriers and broaden access to cabaret for socio-economically diverse audiences, because affordability directly enables participation from communities otherwise excluded by market-rate pricing.