irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $1.04MENGAGEMENT AND MARKETING:USITT HAS CONTINUED ITS STRONG POST-PANDEMIC PUSH TO REENGAGE MEMBERS, FINISHING THE YEAR AT NEAR RECORD NUMBERS OF MEMBERS, INCLUDING THE MOST STUDENT MEMBERS IN THE ORGANIZATION'S HISTORY. THIS WAS THE FIRST FULL YEAR OF AN ALTERED MEMBERSHIP STRUCTURE, WITH ALL MEMBERS EXPIRING AT THE SAME TIME. THAT HAS PROVEN TO BE AN EASIER METHOD FOR BOTH MEMBERS AND STAFF. APPROXIMATELY 90% OF PAID ATTENDEES AT USITT25 IN COLUMBUS WERE ASSOCIATION MEMBERS AND MORE THAN 1,000 MEMBERSHIPS WERE PURCHASED WITH CONFERENCE REGISTRATION.
- #2 $1.55MCONFERENCE AND STAGE EXPO:THE STAGE EXPO FEATURED 303 EXHIBITORS AND 30 SPONSORS AND EXPERIENCED INCREASED ACTIVITY DRIVEN BY HIGHER ATTENDANCE. THE EXPO FLOOR WAS INTENTIONALLY DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE ENGAGEMENT, RESULTING IN STRONG INTERACTION AND NETWORKING AMONG ATTENDEES, EXHIBITORS, AND SPONSORS THROUGHOUT THE EVENT. THE EXPO INCORPORATED MISSION-DRIVEN PROGRAMMING, INCLUDING A FIRST-EVER MEMBERSHIP LOUNGE THAT CONNECTED MEMBERS WITH THE USITT BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ORGANIZATIONAL RESOURCES. EXHIBITOR-LED EDUCATION SESSIONS AND IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES, INCLUDING A COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE AND A LOCAL ACTIVATION IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COSI, ENHANCED LEARNING AND ENGAGEMENT. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND INCLUSION WERE SUPPORTED THROUGH THE USITT PATHWAYS PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDES MENTORSHIP, INDUSTRY ACCESS, AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT FOR UNDERREPRESENTED VOICES IN LIVE ENTERTAINMENT.
named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Annual Conference & Stage Expo
Large-scale annual event featuring exhibitors, educational sessions, networking opportunities, and mission-driven programming including a Membership Lounge and SmartMatch networking tool
Pat MacKay Diversity in Design Scholarship
Scholarship program supporting students from underrepresented backgrounds in lighting and sound design, funded in partnership with LDI and TSDCA
Theatre Design & Technology Journal
Quarterly publication covering technical aspects of theatre and fine arts, serving as a resource for practitioners and educators
USITT Pathways Program
Mentorship and professional development initiative supporting underrepresented voices in live entertainment through industry access and career support
activities · 13 groups
What they do
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Professional Conference & Symposium Organization 2 activities
- Expanding educational and symposia programmingDevelops hands-on learning opportunities through Summer Symposia, revitalized commission initiatives, and structural improvements within commissions such as Costume, in partnership with Commissions to increase active engagement.
- Hosting annual conferences and stage exposOrganizes large-scale annual events such as the USITT Conference & Stage Expo, featuring exhibitors, educational programming, networking tools, and outreach initiatives. Recent conferences attracted thousands of attendees, with over 5,400 registered in 2024, 4,790 in 2023, and more than 3,000 in the first post-pandemic in-person event.
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Arts Education Scholarships 1 activity
- Awarding scholarships to students from underrepresented backgrounds in entertainment designProvides financial support through scholarship programs such as the Pat MacKay Diversity In Design Scholarships and targeted funding for African-American and Black students pursuing careers in lighting design, theatre production, and related technical fields. Awards range up to $5,000 and have been granted annually since 2019.
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Organizational Governance & Leadership Development 1 activity
- Engaging members in organizational developmentExpands member involvement in shaping programs through the Development Committee and other structural frameworks aimed at strengthening community input and governance.
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Design and Architecture Education Support 1 activity
- Funding professional development and emerging professionals in theatre technologySupports career advancement in the field by funding initiatives such as the Young Designers, Managers, & Technicians Awards and providing grants for continuing education and professional development opportunities for industry professionals.
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Facility Accessibility Improvements 1 activity
- Leading facility modernization projectsDirected a $42 million modernization of the Arts United Center, transforming it into a universally designed, technologically advanced facility compliant with ADA standards.
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Professional Association Capacity Building 1 activity
- Maintaining directories for theatre technology professionals and educatorsOperates a public business directory of organizational members and an academic directory listing high schools, colleges, and universities involved in theatre technology education to support networking and resource access.
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Archival Digitization and Preservation 1 activity
- Preserving and providing access to historical research materialsMaintains archival collections for research use by members and the public, including full online access to the TD&T journal catalogue from 1965 onward via the Willard F. Bellman Digital Archive.
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Podcast and Radio Production 1 activity
- Producing educational and advocacy-focused media contentProduces the TECHnically Speaking podcast, which explores inclusion, diversity, equity, access, and social justice in theatre technology, and publishes newsletters and trade journals including the quarterly Theatre Design & Technology (TD&T) journal for subscribers and advertisers.
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Member-Focused Advertising Services 1 activity
- Providing advertising and sponsorship platforms for industry engagementOffers advertising opportunities across digital newsletters, podcasts, and the organization’s website to connect sponsors and vendors with theatre and entertainment professionals.
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Professional Excellence Awards Programs 1 activity
- Recognizing excellence in live entertainment design and architecturePresents Honor Awards and Merit Awards through an annual awards program that recognizes high-quality venues and their architects, with awardees receiving recognition and complimentary registration at the Annual Conference & Stage Expo.
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Cultural Exchange and Mutual Understanding Programs 1 activity
- Supporting international engagement in live entertainmentFacilitates USITT’s participation in global events such as the Prague Quadrennial, promoting international collaboration and representation in theatre technology.
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Arts Professional Advocacy & Equity Initiatives 1 activity
- Supporting underrepresented professionals through the Gateway ProgramCo-founded and supports the Gateway Program to help individuals from underrepresented populations build professional networks and advance their careers in design and technology fields.
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Conducting safety inspections and educational programming in schoolsImplements stage safety training and inspections that have improved safety conditions in over 120 secondary schools, directly impacting more than 150,000 students.
- Funding innovation research in entertainment technologyFinances research and development projects focused on advancing industry practices, including work on LED lighting, virtual textiles, high-speed braking systems, and broader Innovation Research Grants.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$4.51M
Contributions & grants$992K22%
Program service revenue$3.31M74%
Investment income$117K3%
Other revenue$85K
expenses
Total expenses$4.09M
Program expenses76%
Admin / overhead20%
Fundraising4%
Salaries & benefits$1.51M
Grants paid out$60K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$4.72M
Cash$314K
Investments$3.34M
Liabilities$1.21M
Net assets$3.50M
Liquid reserves10.7 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +45.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 4
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAURA LEE EVERETT | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $210K |
| JYOTI HARRIS | DIRECTOR OF SALES & EVENTS | 40 | $140K |
| FRAN TAYLOR | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE | 40 | $126K |
| MARK BLACKMON | DIRECTOR OF ENGAGEMENT | 40 | $115K |
board members · 16
- ASHLEY BELLETT — SECRETARY
- CARY GILLETT — DIRECTOR
- DANA TAYLOR — DIRECTOR
- FORD SELLERS — DIRECTOR
- JEFF BALDWIN — DIRECTOR
- JIM STREETER — DIRECTOR
- KASEY ALLEE-FOREMAN — PRESIDENT
- KIMB WILLIAMSON — DIRECTOR
- KIMBERLY CORBETT OATES — DIRECTOR
- MARGARET MITCHELL — DIRECTOR
- PINKY ESTELL — DIRECTOR
- SHANE KELLY — DIRECTOR
- TAMMY HONESTY — TREASURER
- TARA HOUSTON — DIRECTOR
- TRISH HAUSMANN — DIRECTOR
- YOLANDA WILLIAMS — DIRECTOR
relationships · 20
Who they work with
- Alliance Theatre Partner — Lawrence Bennett serves as Director of Production, working closely with leadership on artistic quality, personnel, budget, and scheduling.
- Arts United Partner — Miriam Morgan serves as VP of Operations & COO, leading operations across four facilities and venues.
- Baltimore Center Stage Partner — Former employer of Lawrence Bennett, where he served as Associate Production Manager.
- COSI Partner — Collaborated on a local activation during the Stage Expo to enhance learning and engagement.
- Carnegie Mellon School of Drama Partner — Tina Shackleford serves as Teaching Professor of Stage Management, leading BFA and MFA programs.
- High schools, colleges and universities Network — Includes academic institutions in its public academic directory focused on theatre technology.
- IDEAS Committee Partner — Collaborates with the IDEAS Committee to advance inclusion, diversity, equity, access, and social justice within the Institute.
- Indiana University Partner — Jeff Baldwin serves as Assistant Professor and Head of the MFA Theatre Technology program.
- LDI Funder — Funds the Pat MacKay Diversity In Design Scholarships
- Lea Ann Quimby Partner — Contact person for advertising and partnership opportunities.
- Lightswitch Partner — Sponsors the Pat MacKay Diversity In Design Scholarships to support the next generation of designers
- Live Design Funder — Funds the Pat MacKay Diversity In Design Scholarships
- Millikin University Partner — Jana Henry Funderburk serves as Professor and Coordinator of Design & Production.
- Prague Quadrennial Partner — Collaborates on international programming and exhibition opportunities for theatre design and technology professionals.
- Purdue University Partner — Ashley Bellet serves as Assistant Professor of Costume Design.
- Repertory Theatre of St. Louis Partner — Former employer of Lawrence Bennett, where he served as Director of Production.
- TSDCA Partner — Co-presents the Pat MacKay Diversity In Design Scholarships annually since 2019
- USITT Architecture Commission Network — Jury composed of Members of the USITT Architecture Commission reviews venue submissions.
- University of Iowa Partner — Tina Shackleford previously taught at the University of Iowa.
- University of Texas at Austin Partner — Tina Shackleford previously taught at the University of Texas at Austin.
strategies · 4
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.
- Inclusion through Targeted Access and Mentorshipmethodology: inclusion_through_supportBy providing mentorship, seed funding, and career access to underrepresented individuals, the organization advances equity and workforce development because structured support lowers systemic barriers and enables diverse talent to thrive in the field.
- Jury-Based Recognition of Integrated Design Excellencemethodology: jury_based_recognitionBy evaluating live entertainment venues through a multidimensional jury process that values artistry, technology, and community impact, the organization advances holistic design standards because peer-reviewed recognition reinforces integrated, socially aware innovation.
- Knowledge Stewardship via Member-Centered Research and Networksmethodology: knowledge_stewardshipBy maintaining a member-accessed research archive and digital professional directory, the organization strengthens the field’s knowledge infrastructure because secure, community-governed access to historical and professional resources enables sustained innovation and continuity.
- Peer-Powered Innovation through Professional Communitymethodology: peer_powered_innovationBy convening visionaries and practitioners in theatre technology, the organization drives field-wide innovation and shapes the future of the discipline because collective expertise and shared inquiry generate breakthroughs that individuals cannot achieve alone.