named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Playdate / Playdate FEST
Programs that incubate 5–7 bold new theater projects annually, supporting artists in developing innovative forms and amplifying silenced stories
The Joan D. Firestone Commissioning Fund
A five-year initiative offering unrestricted awards to mid-career theater artists for new socially engaged theatrical works, with public developmental readings presented by En Garde Arts
Uncommon Voices
A multi-year commissioning and developmental residency program that supports artists creating theater at the intersection of social change, providing financial support, dramaturgical feedback, workshops, and public showings
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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New Play Development Programs 2 activities
- Commissions and develops new theatrical works through structured programsIncubates 5–7 new theatrical projects annually through commissioning initiatives such as the Joan D. Firestone Commission, supporting playwrights with funding and developmental resources. Presents public readings and workshops of commissioned works within 18 months of awarding, including projects like Chisa Hutchinson’s "Objects of Decadence" and Modesto Flako Jimenez’s "Taxilandia."
- Hosts developmental workshops and public showings for emerging artistsProvides platforms for early-career and emerging theater artists through developmental workshops, curated evenings, and free public work-in-progress presentations. Programs include the Uncommon Voices series and intimate backyard events in Brooklyn, fostering creative experimentation and audience engagement.
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Free Outdoor & Community Theater Productions 1 activity
- Presents public theater festivals and co-presented performance eventsOrganizes and presents annual public performance festivals such as Playdate FEST in Brooklyn and co-presents large-scale outdoor festivals featuring new works by emerging artist teams, including a 36-performance series across Lower Manhattan and a free festival in Hudson River Park.
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Site-Specific Artistic Installations and Performances 1 activity
- Produces site-specific and immersive theatrical experiencesCreates innovative theater performances in non-traditional urban settings across New York City, including streets, piers, private apartments, and waterfront locations, using immersive techniques and eccentric characters to engage diverse audiences. Recent productions include self-guided audio experiences in room installations and theatrical journeys beginning on a barge and ending with large-scale projections.
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Latino and Multicultural Theater Production 1 activity
- Tours theatrical productions locally and nationallyStages tours of documentary and narrative-driven theater works across New York City’s five boroughs and throughout the United States, targeting immigrant communities and non-traditional theater audiences. Recent tours include a production about undocumented immigrants and a documentary play that visited 40 cities after its Brooklyn Academy of Music premiere.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$889K
Contributions & grants$717K81%
Program service revenue$102K12%
Investment income$15K2%
Other revenue$55K
expenses
Total expenses$885K
Program expenses74%
Admin / overhead15%
Fundraising11%
Salaries & benefits$434K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$429K
Cash$243K
Investments$0
Liabilities$67K
Net assets$362K
Liquid reserves3.3 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +124.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANNE HAMBURGER | EXEC ARTIS DIR | 40 | $77K |
board members · 10
- ART DEGROAT — BOARD MEMBER
- BRIA PEACE — Secretary
- ILIA GORODNICHEV — Treasurer
- IRINA KRUZHILINA — BOARD MEMBER
- JARED MEZZOCCHI — BOARD MEMBER
- JOAN D FIRESTONE — Chair, Emeritus
- LEE RIFFATERRE — BOARD MEMBER
- MEG WALKER — Chairman
- MICHAEL SCHUBERT — President
- RONALD GUTTMAN — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 17
Who they work with
- Arts Brookfield Partner — Co-commissioned the production Harbored as part of the River to River Festival in 2017.
- Aya Ogawa Partner — Artist supported by En Garde Arts through its programs
- Berkeley Rep Partner — Collaborating organization in the development of the musical "Spanglish Sh!t."
- Brooklyn Academy of Music Partner — Hosted the premiere of basetrack live before its national tour.
- Downtown Alliance Partner — Co-presented the Downtown Stories and Downtown LIVE festivals in Lower Manhattan.
- Hansol Jung & The Pack Partner — Artists supported by En Garde Arts through its programs
- Irina Kruzhilina Partner — Artist supported by En Garde Arts through its programs
- Jared Mezzocchi Partner — Artist supported by En Garde Arts through its programs
- Joan D. Firestone Partner — Board member and namesake of The Joan D. Firestone Commissioning Fund
- La MaMa Partner — Longstanding artistic partner with whom En Garde Arts has championed and produced early works by Anne Bogart and Chuck Mee, culminating in joint productions such as "Days to Remember Forever."
- Lower Manhattan Cultural Council Partner — Co-commissioned the production Harbored as part of the River to River Festival in 2017.
- Lummi Nation Partner — Consulting partner in the development of "Tokitae," providing cultural guidance and insight into the story of the captive orca and the community's efforts to return her to the Salish Sea.
- Modesto Flako Jimenez Partner — Artist supported by En Garde Arts through its programs
- NYSCA Government — Co-funder and development partner for the musical "Spanglish Sh!t."
- Samora La Perdida Partner — Artist supported by En Garde Arts through its programs
- Sarah Gancher Partner — Artist supported by En Garde Arts through its programs
- The Tank Partner — Co-presented the Downtown LIVE performing arts festival in 2021.
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.
- Integrative Collaboration Across Sectors and Audiencesmethodology: collaborative-partnershipBy integrating non-arts partners and diverse audiences into theater production from the outset, we foster dialogue across social boundaries, because inclusive co-creation broadens access and deepens impact.
- Location as Core Dramaturgical Elementmethodology: location_as_dramaturgyBy treating physical location as a narrative and structural component—not just a setting—we deepen storytelling authenticity and audience immersion, because place actively shapes meaning and interpretation.
- Long-Term Residencies at the Intersection of Theater and Social Changemethodology: theater-and-social-change residencyBy supporting multi-phase artist residencies focused on theater and social change, we enable deeper development of transformative works, because sustained engagement allows complex narratives to emerge and evolve.
- Site-Specific Theater as Immersive Engagementmethodology: site-specific theaterBy creating theater in and of specific urban environments, we dissolve boundaries between performers and audiences and deepen audience engagement, because the lived experience of place becomes a central narrative force.
- Theater as Social Connection Through Placemethodology: socially resonant theaterBy rooting theatrical storytelling in specific communities and locations, we foster meaningful connections between artists, audiences, and sites, because shared physical and social context strengthens resonance and dialogue.