Programs and results
What we aim to solve
For the past 3 years Out of the Box Theatre Company (OotB) has generated one full-scale theatrical production and organized one fundraiser per year. Our goal is to increase the number of our annual theatrical productions to two. In order to achieve our goal we need to significantly increase our financial base, grow our audience following, and expand our voluntary workforce. Unfortunately due to Covid we were unable to present public programing in the first half of 2020. However OotB re-invented itself as virtual theater. In December we have streamed Out of the Box Follies and in March of 2021 we will be streaming The 28 Stairs - A Parody Radio Play. The plans for the reminder of the year will be adjusted as pandemic restrictions change.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Theater Performance
Out of the Box Theatre Company (OotB) produces one or two plays per year that feature, as much as possible, theater professionals over the age of 50. For the past few years we have been limited by finances to only one full production per season. In the upcoming year, pending funding, we hope to expand to two shows. The company is unique in its combination of (i) producing older plays, (ii) often with the live music interludes, (iii) featuring the work of theater professionals over age 50 (iv) on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, and (v) offering a significant percentage of free tickets for senior citizens. OotB provides complimentary performance vouchers to several senior centers in Manhattan. OotB presentations are produced under the Actors’ Equity Association Showcase Code and comply with the union rules and guidelines. OotB has staged over the last several years annual fundraising performances showcasing our actors and introducing audience members and potential donors to the company. Out of the Box Theatre Company was founded by artistic director Scott Robinson in 2006. Since 2007, OotB productions have included comedies (45 Seconds from Broadway in 2012, Harvey in 2019), dramas (Deep are the Roots in 2016, All My Sons in 2018), and staged readings (Spoon River Anthology in 2011, The Hollow Crown in 2014). We have expanded our range with plays of increasingly serious subject matter and brought in noted directors. OotB posts open casting notices through Actors’ Equity and Actors’ Access as well as inviting to audition seasoned acting professionals who have worked with us during our last 12 seasons, many with regional theater and Broadway experience. We have consciously increased the diversity of our board, artistic staff, and casts. OotB operations are governed by comprehensive By-Laws that are supplemented by Conflict of Interest Policy, Diversity Policy and EEO Compliance Rules.
Where we work
Affiliations & memberships
A.R.T. New York 2020
External reviews

Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Evaluation documents
Download evaluation reportsTotal number of performances
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Seniors, Artists and performers
Related Program
Theater Performance
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Each year OotB presented one full production and one fund raising performance. In 2020 2 live performances was postpone due to Covid, However OotB reinvented itself on-line and presented OotB Follies
Total number of audience members
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Seniors
Related Program
Theater Performance
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
OotB goal is to increase the size of the audiences and to increase the number of senior citizens utilizing free vouchers. In 2020 our 1 virtual performance generated record audience number.
Number of professional artists employed
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Seniors, Ethnic and racial groups, LGBTQ people
Related Program
Theater Performance
Type of Metric
Context - describing the issue we work on
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
OotB goal is to give opportunities to experienced professionals to perform well-known roles that they may not have had the opportunity to be previously cast in or would be considered too old to play.
Total number of paid seats filled for performances
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults
Related Program
Theater Performance
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
OotB goal is to increase audience numbers. 2020 virtual performance resulted in record attendance.
Total number of free seats filled for performances
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Seniors
Related Program
Theater Performance
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
OotB goal is to increase the number of senior citizens utilizing free vouchers to attend our productions. 2020 estimated number is based on group/household attendance to virtual performance.
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
OotB’s artistic goals are dual; a) giving opportunities to experienced theater professionals, primarily over the age of 50, to perform well-known roles that they may not have had the opportunity to be previously cast in or would be considered too old to play elsewhere and b) to stage artistically compelling productions within a limited budget. Our primary outreach goal is to give our audiences the opportunity to enjoy professional performances by these veteran actors at an affordable price.
OotB’s specific operational goals are to:
(i) increase our annual programming from one to two full theatrical performances or one full production and one reading, and to organize one fundraiser;
(ii) increase the number of diversity actors’ participation in the audition process and consequently increase the number of diversity actors performing in the productions;
(iii) develop our audience following and increase the size of the audiences attending our productions;
(iv) increase the number of senior citizens utilizing free vouchers to attend our productions;
(v) increase the number of volunteers we can call upon for offstage and backstage help.
(vi) effectively address reality of virtual theater by training and developing new skill sets.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Fundraising efforts:
In order to increase the number of productions, OotB needs to gain more financial support. OotB needs to find additional sources of funds and apply for additional grants.
In 2020 OotB has received the NY Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) grant.
For 2021 we have reapplied for NY DCLA grant, applied for New York State Council of the Arts (NYSCA) grant and we applied for the Manhattan Community Award Program (MCAP) Department of Correction grant.
In December of 2021 we began very succefull virtual programing with our December benefit.
For 2022 we plan to reapply for NY DCLA and MCAP grants (Department of the Aging if funds become available) and apply for the New York State Council of the Arts (NYSCA) grant. Additionally we are in the process of researching other private and public grant-giving sources.
Diversity expansion:
In 2020, OotB finalized its diverse casting for Five by Tenn; Five Short Plays by Tennessee Williams. However due to Covid the production had to be postponed. In the fall of 2020 OotB completed casting for "The Exonerated" however at the last minute agency representing authors limited our right to live performance only denying us right to videotaping. Consequently the production had to be postponed. However our 2020 December on-line benefit included diverse actors.
Audience development:
In 2019 OotB dramatically redesigned its website, thus increasing its general appeal and ease of navigation. The website is now actively managed and dynamically updated.
OotB communicates with its patrons via Facebook, emails, and regular mail in accordance with each patron’s communication preference. In order to increase audience following, OotB will create a compelling advertising, provide frequent updates on its upcoming programs, explore new advertising sites such as the Goddard Riverside Community Center website and create alliances with local businesses. Due to Covid above live contact strategies could not be implemented but our virtual advertising resulted in a record attendance at our benefit.
Senior Free Voucher Program augmentation:
In the past OotB formed strong bonds with several senior citizen centers. OotB needs to increase number of centers that are willing to effectively distribute free senior citizen vouchers. In order to accomplish this goal, OotB board members will make personal appearances in the new centers, getting to know the managing personnel and to find customized and most effective ways of communicating and voucher distribution for each center.
Volunteer number growth:
In order to increase volunteer interest among actors, OotB includes an “I want to Volunteer” option on its audition form and subsequently contacts the interested individuals and assigns volunteer responsibilities. In addition, board members, performers, and technical designers seek and recommend volunteers from their groups of friends and communities.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
OotB board members work tirelessly to meet our objectives. The Out of the Box board members are all over age 50, reflecting the population we serve. They are theater professionals, educators, and/or corporate executives with experience in theater arts and in strategic project and organizational management. They are all involved in selecting the plays and directors, selecting and contracting designers and technical crew, and in all other aspects of production. Six of the board members have performed in some of the shows; one board member has directed shows. They are all active in fundraising, grant writing, and soliciting donors. In 2020 we added a new member to the board to help us with his expertise and offer a new perspective. At the 4th quarter of 2020 OotB reinvented itself as a virtual theater and successfully presented on-line benefit attended by the record numbers of patrons. OotB will continue its on-line performances until Covid restriction for live theater are lifted.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
OotB’s website has been redesigned to its new dynamic form and is presently professionally managed. During the last production we engaged a professional photographer to generate compelling images for the play advertising. Consequently, the images were used by on-line advertisers and ticket agencies.
During our Spring 2019 production we increased the number of shows to 10 from 6 in the previous year.
Our last production was financially the most successful to date with an increased box office intake of 26% over the previous year, and donation and concession sales increases of 116% and 150%, respectively. However, the audience numbers and senior citizen numbers remain the same, and audience building remains our critical goal to be achieved by amplifying the community outreach efforts.
OotB has also experienced 25% growth in our donor base and 50% in our volunteer base
In calendar 2020 we were unable to produce plays due to Covid. However we streamed benefit production, Out of the Box Follies, in December 2020 It has been our most successful fundraiser to date both in revenue generation and in audience satisfaction.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve
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What significant change resulted from feedback?
As a result of very positive response to a streamed event we are planning to produce another play in Spring of 2021.
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
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- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Out of the Box Theatre Company Inc
Board of directorsas of 07/06/2022
Ms. Halina Malinowski
Susan Case
Lin Snider
Susan Case
Kelly Gilmore
Staten Island Dance
Gloria Sauve
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Not applicable -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Not applicable -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as: