named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
ACTS Research Lab
Research initiative led by Dr. Alisha Ali and Dr. Bruce Homer to evaluate the therapeutic impact of theater-based interventions on veterans with PTSD, including military sexual trauma.
Cry Havoc!
One-person autobiographical play by Stephan Wolfert that explores military trauma, PTSD, and reintegration through Shakespearean language and personal narrative, used for public education and veteran outreach.
DE-CRUIT Workshops
Weekly trauma-informed theater workshops for veterans using Shakespearean text and somatic practices to process PTSD and support reintegration into civilian life, led by trained facilitators in New York and Texas.
Make Thick My Blood
55-minute physical theater adaptation of Macbeth exploring trauma, gender, and power dynamics through the lens of veterans’ experiences.
She-Wolf
60-minute adaptation of Henry VI and Richard III centered on Margaret of Anjou, performed by veteran actors to explore themes of war, loss, and resilience.
The Head of Richard
50-minute two-actor adaptation of Shakespeare’s Richard III performed by veterans, examining emotional trauma and moral injury from a military perspective.
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Creative Arts Therapy Programs 1 activity
- Deliver theater-based trauma therapy programs for veteransProvides reintegration support and trauma healing for veterans through evidence-based programs that combine Shakespearean text, somatic practices, and science-based techniques. Offers multi-session workshops, including DE-CRUIT classes, in community and correctional settings such as the Green Bay Jail Facility in Fort Worth.
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Community-Engaged Theater Production 1 activity
- Produce and perform theatrical works addressing military traumaCreates and performs original or adapted theatrical productions—such as Cry Havoc!, Richard III, Macbeth, and Margaret of Anjou—that explore emotional and psychological trauma from military service, abuse, and reintegration challenges. These performances include live audiences, post-show talkbacks, and engagement opportunities for veterans and their support networks.
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Veteran Benefits and Reintegration Support 1 activity
- Support veteran recovery and reintegration through sustained programmingProvides long-term therapeutic engagement for veterans, resulting in documented outcomes such as sustained housing, employment, educational enrollment, legal certification, and improved emotional regulation through grounding techniques and creative expression.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Conduct and publish research on arts-based trauma interventionsConducts research through the Advocacy & Community-based Trauma Studies (ACTS) lab on the therapeutic impact of theater-based programs for veterans with PTSD, military sexual trauma, and complex trauma. Has authored over 20 peer-reviewed articles, multiple book chapters, and eight books on trauma, imagination, and creative arts therapies.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$15K
Contributions & grants$11K71%
Program service revenue$4K29%
Investment income——
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$29K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$2K
Grants paid out$304
balance sheet
Total assets$19K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$19K
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -89.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEPHAN WOLFERT | PRESIDENT | 40 | $2K |
board members · 1
- JASON CLEVELAND — CHAIRMAN OF BOARD
relationships · 47
Who they work with
- 4th Wall Theatre Co Partner — Hosted the performance Cry Havoc! at 4th Wall Theatre Co.
- American Group Psychotherapy Association Partner — Recipient of the Aaron Stein Award from AGPA in 2020.
- Amphibian Stage Productions Partner — Arts partner collaborating with DE-CRUIT
- Amphibian Stage Productions Partner — Presented Cry Havoc! in partnership with Amphibian Stage Productions.
- Bedlam Partner — Presented the performance Cry Havoc! in association with Bedlam.
- Collectively Rooted Partner — Partnering to launch on-demand DE-CRUIT courses.
- Dawn Stern Partner — Co-facilitator and collaborator in DE-CRUIT programming for veterans.
- Dr. Alisha Ali Partner — Head of the Advocacy & Community-based Trauma Studies (ACTS) lab conducting research on the DE-CRUIT program.
- Dramatist Guild Foundation Funder — Awarded She-Wolf in 2019 in recognition of its artistic and thematic contribution
- Folger Theater Partner — Conducted an interview with Stephan Wolfert about Shakespeare and war, indicating a collaborative relationship.
- Forum Funder — Provided a mini-grant supporting the Fairbanks project in 2018.
- Franklin Stage Partner — Hosted the return of the one-man show Cry Havoc! by popular demand.
- HowlRound Partner — Published a series titled 'Shakespeare Through the Lens of a Military Veteran' in 2014.
- J.M. Kaplan Fund Funder — Funder supporting DE-CRUIT programs
- JM Kaplan Foundation Funder — Received a grant from the JM Kaplan Foundation in 2016.
- Kint Institute Partner — Partner organization collaborating with DE-CRUIT on mental health initiatives
- Laurie M Tisch Illumination Fund Funder — Received a grant from the Laurie M Tisch Illumination Fund in 2023.
- Madinamerica.com Partner — Media partner featuring extensive coverage on DE-CRUIT's work
- Marin Shakespeare Company Partner — Partner organization collaborating with DE-CRUIT on Shakespeare-based programming
- NYU CREATE Lab Partner — Partner organization involved in DE-CRUIT program evaluation and research
- NYU Steinhardt Partner — Partner organization collaborating with DE-CRUIT on program evaluation and research
- National Alliance for Mental Illness Partner — Recipient of the Max Gabriel Award from NAMI in 2019.
- National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) Government — Awarded Stephan Wolfert the 2019 Max Gabriel Award for artistic advocacy on PTSD and veterans' mental health
- National Endowment for the Arts Funder — Funder supporting DE-CRUIT through arts-based grants
- National Endowment for the Arts Government — Received a Creative Forces Community Engagement Grant from the NEA in 2023.
- National Endowment for the Arts Government — Received a Creative Forces Community Engagement Grant from the NEA.
- National Endowment for the Arts Government — Received multiple grants from the National Endowment for the Arts for community engagement and research.
- National Endowment for the Humanities Funder — Funder supporting DE-CRUIT through humanities-based grants
- National Endowment for the Humanities Government — Received a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities in 2021 for dialogues on the experience of war.
- National Public Radio Partner — Featured DE-CRUIT in a 2021 episode of 'Conversations with Veterans'.
+ 17 more
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.
- Arts-Based Trauma Recovery Through Shakespearean Theatermethodology: arts_based_trauma_interventionBy engaging veterans in Shakespearean text, performance, and narrative re-authoring, we support trauma recovery and reintegration into civilian life because structured artistic expression fosters psychological reprocessing, somatic regulation, and reclaiming of personal agency.
- Community-Engaged Trauma Dialoguemethodology: community_engaged_theaterBy combining live theatrical performance with facilitated talkbacks and workshops, we promote community dialogue and engagement around PTS because participatory formats transform private trauma into public conversation, reducing isolation and increasing awareness.
- Shared Humanity Narrative Bridgingmethodology: narrative_bridgingBy performing personal narratives alongside Shakespearean text, we create shared understanding between veterans and civilians because highlighting universal human experiences across time reduces stigma and fosters empathy through cultural resonance.
- Therapeutic Ensemble Practice for Social Reconnectionmethodology: ensemble_based_therapyBy using ensemble-based theater performance, we rebuild trust, social connection, and teamwork among veterans because shared creative risk in a supportive group environment normalizes vulnerability and restores relational capacity eroded by trauma.