named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
A Perfect Party for Trees
Outdoor puppet performance designed for neurodiverse audiences and their caregivers, created in collaboration with students from P721K in Brooklyn.
Frankenstein Unearthed
View-at-home original performance created for families to experience together, blending storytelling and interactive elements in a reimagining of the Frankenstein narrative.
Frolic
Sensory-friendly theatrical experience for neurodiverse audiences ages 5+ and their families, featuring music, dance, puppetry, and interactive play through the seasons in a magical garden setting.
Planetary Census
Digital performance experiment created for families during remote learning, allowing children to participate in a fictional planetary survey from home.
Shadow Play
Theatrical exploration of shadows and imagination for young audiences (ages 2+), presented nationally at arts centers and performing arts venues.
Up and Away
Immersive, multi-sensory theatrical experience created in partnership with Lincoln Center specifically for audiences on the autism spectrum and their families.
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Community-Engaged Theater Production 1 activity
- Co-creation of view-at-home and digital theatrical experiences with familiesProduces digital and at-home theatrical performances co-created with families, including interactive and experimental formats that engage audiences remotely. Examples include "Produced and presented view-at-home performances" and collaborative digital performance experiments.
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Experimental Circus and Immersive Theater Production 1 activity
- Creation and production of original theatrical works for young audiencesDevises and produces original live theater performances for children, families, and young adults, including immersive, sensory-friendly, and multi-sensory experiences. Has created over 21 original works since 2011, such as the "Tape" series reimagining Frankenstein, "Frolic," "A Perfect Party for Trees," and "Planetary Census," presented in New York City and on national tours.
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Youth Theater Arts Education 1 activity
- Distribution of educational and creative resources for families and artistsPublishes and distributes free toolkits and handbooks documenting its theatrical methodologies, including stories, sensory theater tools, rehearsal exercises, and artist reflections from productions like _Campfire_ and over a decade of work with young audiences. These resources support educators, caregivers, and artists in creating inclusive performance experiences.
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Sensory-Inclusive Programming and Support 1 activity
- Production of sensory-friendly and neurodiverse-inclusive theaterCreates and presents live theatrical experiences specifically adapted for neurodivergent audiences ages 5 and up, including children on the autism spectrum and their families. Productions such as _Up and Away_ and _Campfire_ are multi-sensory and commissioned by institutions like Lincoln Center. Also produces outdoor puppet performances and digital formats accessible to remote pre-k classrooms.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$51K
Contributions & grants$51K99%
Program service revenue——
Investment income——
Other revenue$405
expenses
Total expenses$103K
Program expenses69%
Admin / overhead28%
Fundraising3%
Salaries & benefits$10K
Grants paid out$35K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$0
Cash$53K
Investments$0
Liabilities$5K
Net assets$0
Liquid reserves6.2 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -78.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAUL BREWSTER MCGINLEY | SECRETARY & INTERIM ED | 15 | $18K |
board members · 6
- EVAN GOLDFINE — DIRECTOR
- JULIE ALBERT — DIRECTOR
- LINDA JACKSON — DIRECTOR
- RACHAEL GRACE HOLMES — DIRECTOR
- TRACIE MICHELLE MURPHY — DIRECTOR
- ZACK MORGENSTERN — DIRECTOR
relationships · 56
Who they work with
- AMC Puppets Partner — Collaborated with AMC Puppets for the construction of the character "Violet" in the production of "Scurry".
- Abrons Arts Center Partner — Co-presented a production with Abrons Arts Center in 2018.
- Abrons Arts Center/Henry Street Settlement Partner — Presents and partners with Trusty Sidekick Theater Company on new work in New York City.
- All Stars Project Inc. Partner — Provided rehearsal spaces for the development of "A Perfect Party for Trees".
- Alliance of Resident Theatres/New York Network — Member organization providing industry affiliation and support.
- Annenberg Center Partner — Presented Shadow Play in May 2019.
- Autism Nature Trail Partner — Collaborates with Trusty Sidekick Theater Company on programming in Castile, NY.
- Big Umbrella Festival Partner — Presented performance as part of the festival.
- Channery Hill Partner — Collaborated with Channery Hill for shelf construction in the production of "Scurry".
- Chelsea Factory Partner — Presenting venue and original premiere location for the production "Frolic".
- Childrens Theatre Foundation of America Funder — Administers the Aurand Harris Grants and Fellowships, which awarded Trusty Sidekick Theater Company a grant.
- Classic Stage Company Partner — Co-presented the world premiere of "The Stowaway" in 2017.
- Classic Stage Company Partner — Presents and collaborates with Trusty Sidekick Theater Company on theatrical productions in New York City.
- EQT Children’s Theater Festival Partner — Presenting festival for the production "Frolic" in Pittsburgh, PA.
- Henry Street Settlement Partner — Co-presented a production with Henry Street Settlement in 2018.
- John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Partner — Presents Trusty Sidekick Theater Company's work nationally in Washington, DC.
- Kennan Gudjonsson Partner — Partnered with Kennan Gudjonsson for the construction of the "Tube" element in the production of "Scurry".
- Lebanon Opera House Partner — Presented Shadow Play in October 2018.
- Leigh Poulos Partner — Commissioned Leigh Poulos to illustrate portraits for the production of "Scurry".
- Lincoln Center Education Partner — Hosted Shadow Play performance in January 2017.
- Lincoln Center Education Partner — Presented performance in collaboration with the education arm of Lincoln Center.
- Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts Partner — Commissioned multi-sensory theatrical works _Up and Away_ and _Campfire_ from Trusty Sidekick Theater Company.
- Materials for the Arts Partner — Received materials support from Materials for the Arts for production resources.
- Miami Theatre Center Partner — Hosted Shadow Play performance in October 2018.
- NJPAC Partner — Presented Shadow Play as part of its Schooltime series in March 2019.
- NY State Council on the Arts Funder — Provides partial funding support for the production "Frolic".
- National Endowment for the Arts Funder — Provides partial funding support for the production "Frolic".
- New York City Council Government — Partner in providing public funding for the production of Jem and Stonie
- New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Funder — Provides partial funding support for the production "Frolic".
- New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Government — Public funder supporting the production of Jem and Stonie
+ 26 more
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.
- Ensemble-Based Devised Theater 33 orgsmethodology: ensemble_devisingBy developing original theatrical works through a collaborative, multidisciplinary ensemble process, the organization generates innovative performances because collective authorship integrates diverse artistic perspectives and strengthens creative depth.shared approach: Artist-Centered Creation →
- Inclusive Theater for Neurodiverse Audiencesmethodology: non-verbal_inclusive_theaterBy using non-verbal communication, sensory adaptation, and collaboration with autism and education specialists, the organization creates accessible theatrical experiences that engage neurodivergent audiences because reducing linguistic and cognitive barriers fosters inclusion and emotional connection.
- Youth and Community Co-Creation Modelmethodology: co_creation_with_communityBy involving young people, families, and educators as co-creators in the development and performance of theater, the organization produces more relevant and engaging artistic experiences because authentic participation ensures content reflects lived experiences and fosters deeper investment from participants and audiences.