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The Little Theatre Group of Butler Pennsylvania

A Little Theatre. A Lotta Fun!

aka Butler Little Theatre   |   Butler, PA   |  https://butlerlittletheatre.com/

Mission

The BLT mission is to advance the study of, participation in, and appreciation for drama and theatrical arts among the citizens of Butler County, Pennsylvania and surrounding areas.

Notes from the nonprofit

The Butler Little Theater is one of the oldest continuously active theater groups in Pennsylvania and the United States and can trace its origins back to the 1920s. The organization was founded for the community study of the dramatic arts and presents full-stage productions of Broadway shows using community volunteers for actors, directors, producers, designers, costuming, production crews, public relations, box office operations, and ushers. The BLT also offers children’s theatre classes during the summer months, followed by full-stage performances presented by students (aged 6 to 21). These productions are staffed by student directors, designers, and other creative positions who are mentored by volunteers from the theatre. The organization is managed by a volunteer Board of Directors who steer the BLT towards a sustainable future by adopting sound, ethical, legal governance and financial management policies to advance its important community mission.

Ruling year info

2005

Chairman

Dennis Casey

Vice Chair

Phillip Ball

Main address

1 Howard St

Butler, PA 16001 USA

Show more contact info

EIN

23-7064108

NTEE code info

Theater (A65)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

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Communication

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

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Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

Live Stage Theatrical Productions

The BLT presents full-stage productions of Broadway shows using community volunteers for actors, directors, producers, designers, costuming, production crews, public relations, box office operations, and ushers.

Population(s) Served
Adults

The BLT also offers children’s theatre classes, followed by full-stage performances presented by students (aged 6 to 21). These productions are staffed by student directors, designers, and other creative positions who volunteers mentor from the theatre.

Population(s) Served
Children and youth

Where we work

Affiliations & memberships

American Association of Community Theatres 2023

Butler Cultural District 2023

Our results

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.

Total number of paid admissions

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

Live Stage Theatrical Productions

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

The 2020 season was shortened by COVID and the 2021 season was canceled when the governor ordered all theaters closed.

Total number of free admissions

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

Live Stage Theatrical Productions

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

A free preview performance is held prior to opening night. Clients of several social service groups are invited to attend. Due to COVID, the number of preview performances was limited.

Total free seats filled for open rehearsals

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

Live Stage Theatrical Productions

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Holding steady

Context Notes

BLT does not keep track of attendance at free preview performances but approximately 50 people attend each preview performance.

Total number of open rehearsals

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

Live Stage Theatrical Productions

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Holding steady

Context Notes

The final rehearsal prior to opening night is used as a preview performance to help actors gage potential audience reaction and provide a service to clients of local social service agencies.

Total number of paid seats filled for performances

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

Live Stage Theatrical Productions

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

Our 2020 season was shortened by COVID and the 2021 season was canceled when the governor ordered theaters to close.

Total number of performances

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

Live Stage Theatrical Productions

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

The 2020 season was shortened due to COVID and the 2021 season was canceled when the governor ordered theaters to close.

Total number of classes offered

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

Youth Theatre Education Program

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

The BLT offers a summer youth theater education program for students ages 5-19 . Students receive training from BLT volunteers and produce a play using students actors, directors, and designers.

Total number of audience members

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

Live Stage Theatrical Productions

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

The 2020 season was shortened due to COVID and the 2021 season was canceled when the governor order theaters closed.

Average dollar price for performance tickets

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

Live Stage Theatrical Productions

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Holding steady

Total number of students participating in private lessons

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

Youth Theatre Education Program

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

The summer youth education program was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

Goal 1: Grow our existing theater education program to include adult acting classes, focusing on bringing the theater experience to new constituencies.

The BLT currently offers children’s theatre classes during the summer months, followed by full-stage performances presented by students (aged 6 to 21). Theatre volunteers mentor the student directors, designers, and other creative positions. Beginning in 2023, the BLT plans to offer adult theater education classes to expand the number of people who can benefit from the theater experience.

Goal 2: Expand collaborations with other county performing arts groups to create a unified and aligned organization that will expand the number of theater productions in our community.

The BLT is one of three theatrical organizations in the immediate Butler area. There have been ongoing discussions between the boards and leadership of these organizations to consider merging into one organization to improve efficiency and maximize limited volunteer resources. Organizations have a consensus that such a merger would benefit all groups. The remaining issues are how to structure such an organization and when to initiate the formal agreement.

Goal 3: Within the next three years, study the feasibility and assess the practicality of launching a capital campaign to expand the existing theater complex or build a new one within the community.

The BLT complex is a converted carriage and horse barn acquired in the 1940s. The space has worked well but limits the types of productions due to stage size and seating capacity. In addition, should a merger be completed among various theatre groups, a larger and more modern facility will be required. The board is in early discussions to evaluate the feasibility of undertaking a capital campaign to address the future needs of the theatre, including the scope of such a construction project, the ability of the community to support a capital campaign, and whether there is sufficient community leadership willing to undertake this project. The board is taking a long-term, cautious and detailed approach to this effort.

How we listen

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.

done We demonstrated a willingness to learn more by reviewing resources about feedback practice.
done We shared information about our current feedback practices.

  • 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 make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals

  • Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?

    We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We share the feedback we received with the people we serve, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback

  • What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?

    We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback

Financials

The Little Theatre Group of Butler Pennsylvania
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Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

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Connect with nonprofit leaders

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lock

Connect with nonprofit leaders

Subscribe

Build 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.

The Little Theatre Group of Butler Pennsylvania

Board of directors
as of 11/01/2023
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board co-chair

Dennis Casey


Board co-chair

Phillip Ball

Matt Leslie

Nedra Casey

Casey Bowser

Sis Fleming

Stephanie Kobil

Rik Medic

Elizabeth Smith

Susan Sontum

Sue Collar

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

  • 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? Yes
  • 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? Yes

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 11/1/2023
info Candid has made improvements to the race and ethnicity options.

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:

Race & ethnicity
White/Caucasian/European
Gender identity
Male
Disability status
Person without a disability

The organization's co-leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
White/Caucasian/European
Gender identity
Male
Disability status
Person without a disability

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

 

Sexual orientation

No data

Disability

Equity strategies

Last updated: 11/01/2023

GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more

Policies and processes
  • We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
  • We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
  • We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.