named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Get Your Act Together
Workshop and performance series helping artists develop and refine original cabaret shows
MAC Awards Show
Annual awards ceremony recognizing excellence in cabaret performance, production, and artistry in New York City
Spotlight On YOU Open Mic
Recurring open mic series providing emerging and established cabaret artists a platform to perform
They Write the Songs
Recurring show highlighting songwriters and composers in the cabaret and American songbook tradition
activities · 10 groups
What they do
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Music Awards and Honors Programs 2 activities
- Administer Dottie Burman and John Wallowitch Award songwriting competitionsRuns annual songwriting competitions for emerging songwriters under and over age 40, including selection of finalists by a judging panel and final winners chosen by a celebrity judge from the cabaret community. Cash prizes are awarded to winners.
- Present and administer annual MAC Awards ceremonyOrganizes and presents the annual MAC Awards ceremony recognizing excellence in cabaret, comedy, and jazz performance, as well as behind-the-scenes professionals. The event includes public announcement of nominees and winners across multiple categories, with access to nominated works provided through curated playlists.
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Theatre Awards and Honors Administration 2 activities
- Advance cabaret art and live entertainmentSupports the development and visibility of cabaret as an art form through programming, awards, and public events that highlight performance excellence and innovation in live entertainment.
- Present lifetime and special achievement awardsRecognizes sustained contributions to cabaret through the presentation of lifetime achievement awards and special honors such as the Hanson Award, awarded to individuals and collaborators for artistic excellence.
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Arts Professional Advocacy & Equity Initiatives 1 activity
- Advocate for live entertainment policiesParticipates in city and state legislative hearings to advocate for policies that support live entertainment venues and performers, representing the interests of the cabaret community.
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Professional Association Capacity Building 1 activity
- Host professional development seminars for cabaret artistsOrganizes and hosts educational seminars and panel discussions for members on practical topics including CD production, publicity, and digital marketing to support career development in the performing arts.
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Live Music Performances & Concerts 1 activity
- Host recurring cabaret performance seriesProduces and hosts ongoing cabaret series including "Jim Caruso’s Cast Party," "Sondheim Unplugged," "Scat School," and "Spotlight On YOU" open mic nights, providing regular performance opportunities for artists in the cabaret community.
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Performing Arts Archival Preservation 1 activity
- Maintain historical archive of cabaret performancesPreserves and maintains an archive of 6,701 photographs documenting the history of cabaret performances and artists.
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Digital Communications and Content Management 1 activity
- Manage and promote live performance venue and digital platformsServes as booking manager at 53 Above, managing programming and modernizing technical systems, and manages MAC’s social media platforms to promote talent and opportunities, functioning as the organization's digital stage manager.
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Professional Theatrical Production 1 activity
- Produce original cabaret shows and benefit eventsProduces original cabaret works, charity variety shows, and benefit performances such as "Parallel Moments" for tsunami relief and "The Season: Goldie’s Kids" supporting St. Jude’s, as well as long-running productions like "They Write the Songs."
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Digital Music and Performance Archiving 1 activity
- Provide curated access to cabaret music recordingsOffers public access to a curated channel of cabaret music through a partnership with AccuRadio and provides playlists featuring nominated works from the MAC Awards.
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LGBTQ+ Community Grantmaking 1 activity
- Support LGBTQ+ rights through financial contributionsMakes financial donations to the ACLU Drag Defense Fund, supporting legal protections and advocacy efforts for drag performers and LGBTQ+ rights.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$42K
Contributions & grants$3K6%
Program service revenue——
Investment income——
Other revenue$8K
expenses
Total expenses$21K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$87K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$87K
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -30.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 7
- ANALISA BELL — Board Member
- EVELYN NATASHA CASTILLO — Board Member
- HANNAH JANE — Board Member
- JASON ELLIS — Board Member
- JENNIE LITT — Board Member
- KRISTOFFER LOWE — Board Member
- SIDNEY MYER — Board Member
relationships · 19
Who they work with
- ACLU Drag Defense Fund Partner — Receives donations from MAC in support of legal defense for drag performers.
- AccuRadio Partner — Partnership to host and distribute the MAC Channel featuring cabaret music.
- Ann Hampton Callaway Partner — Served as celebrity judge for the John Wallowitch Award in 2012.
- Barb Jungr Partner — Served as celebrity judge for the John Wallowitch Award in 2014.
- Blue Hill Troupe Partner — All-for-charity off-Broadway theater troupe connected through MAC board member involvement
- Broadway Comedy Club Partner — Hosts the MAC-associated performance space 53 Above
- Don’t Tell Mama Partner — MAC-associated venue where board members have produced and presented cabaret works
- Hearts and Voices Partner — Charitable organization co-producing benefit events with MAC board members
- Joe Iconis Partner — Served as celebrity judge for the John Wallowitch Award in 2021.
- John McDaniel Partner — Served as celebrity judge for the John Wallowitch Award in 2021.
- Julie Gold Partner — Served as celebrity judge for the John Wallowitch Award in 2023.
- Karen Mason Partner — Served as celebrity judge for the John Wallowitch Award in 2011.
- Lauren Molina Partner — Served as celebrity judge for the John Wallowitch Award in 2013.
- Marcy Heisler Partner — Served as celebrity judge for the John Wallowitch Award in 2020.
- Nikki M. James Partner — Served as celebrity judge for the John Wallowitch Award in 2022.
- Sharon McNight Partner — Served as celebrity judge for the John Wallowitch Award in 2017.
- Singers Forum Partner — Organization through which MAC board members discovered and developed cabaret work
- St. Jude’s Partner — Recognized a benefit event supporting St. Jude’s with the Ruth Kurtzman Benefit Award
- Zina Goldrich Partner — Served as celebrity judge for the John Wallowitch Award in 2020.
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 Development Through Recurring Showcasesmethodology: artist_development_through_regular_showcasesBy providing regular public performance opportunities, we nurture both emerging and established cabaret talent, because consistent stage experience builds artistic confidence, audience connection, and professional growth.
- Field Advancement Through Advocacy and Public Engagementmethodology: trade_association_advocacyBy advocating for the cabaret industry and honoring its contributions, we strengthen public awareness and audience development, because sustained cultural relevance depends on both institutional support and public appreciation.
- Recognition and Visibility as Career Accelerationmethodology: award-based recognition, digital_stage_managementBy curating awards and leveraging digital platforms, we elevate underrepresented artists and expand audience reach, because recognition and visibility are critical catalysts for career advancement in competitive performance fields.