Prime Stage
Enrich lives with theatre by bringing literature to life!
Mission
MISSION
The mission of Prime Stage is to entertain, inspire and enrich through professional theatre by bringing literature to life.
ARTISTIC VISION
Prime Stage enriches lives through theatre and literacy with programs that deliver quantifiable results and benefits to the region.
With education being a cornerstone of our mission and vision, Prime Stage offers unique programs and outreach. Please visit our education page to learn more about them.
Notes from the nonprofit
Prime Stage is committed, through our mission, to enhance the culture and education of teens, teachers and families. With support from foundations, corporations, and individuals, along with local and national partners, Prime Stage creates opportunities that realize the dreams of our artists, educators, staff and audiences.
Ruling year
1996
Producing Artistic Director
Dr. Wayne Brinda
Operations Director
Ms. Tina Cerny
Main address
P.O. Box 99446
Pittsburgh, PA 15233 USA
EIN
25-1784757
NTEE code
Theater (A65)
Secondary/High School (B25)
Citizenship Programs, Youth Development (O54)
IRS filing requirement
This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Sign in or create an account to view Form(s) 990 for 2022, 2021 and 2020.
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Communication
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Prime Stage, the region’s theatre that brings literature and history to life in ways that enrich, engage, and enhance culturally, ethnically, and economically diverse audiences, including those with special needs. Our Accessibilities help audiences see bridges instead of barriers when they leave the theatre The impact is how Prime Stage does more than produce plays. We create programs. The productions will raise audiences’ awareness of important topics as we partner with organizations. The literary and historical events will engage audiences to discover the power and value of theatre and the arts in their lives. We also secured and strengthened partnerships that enable Prime Stage and Prime Online to serve a world of audiences. The annual Global Classroom connects local students with those across the state and world to view performances by Prime Stage, read the literature and participate in discussions on how they can make positive differences in their schools and communities.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Bringing Literature to Life Productions and Programs
We produce a blend of theatrical and educational programs that bring literature to life for multi-generational audiences of adults, families, teens, and teachers.
Bringing Literature to Life - Education/Student matinees
b) Education - Student Matinee Series for students and educators - Prime Stage presents student matinees for its productions. Each performance includes a post-show "chat-session with actors" where audience members respond to and connect to the literature they saw adapted live onstage. The Prime Stage Literacy in ACTion Program targets under-served middle and secondary schools in urban and rural districts of Southwestern PA. On-line Resource Guides for each show provide background information and materials teachers can use when creating lessons for their students on a variety of literature.
Professional Development Workshops and Master Classes
Prime Stage presents Professional Development workshops and Master Classes for adults.
Theatre Mentor/Internship Program
Our Theatre Internship Program for secondary and college students enables young people to have authentic, one-on-one, work experiences with our artistic and administrative staff. Students learn the creative processes used by professional artists and how to run professional equipment at the Hazlett Theater as members of production crews on all our shows. Designed as a six week commitment, students attend rehearsals and production meetings with their mentor. They are encouraged to offer thoughts, reactions, and ideas. They also read the script and the literature. The learning becomes real work experiences where mentees become members of our production staff under the direction of a professional Stage Manager. For each production, 4 to 5 students have one-to-one mentoring opportunities in lighting, sound, costumes, props, and stage management.
"Literacy in ACTion" theatre/literacy residency program
Literacy in ACTion Program trains teachers in Title 1 urban and rural districts with strategies that transform reluctant and struggling adolescent readers into engaged and proficient readers.
This literacy/theatre program is the only one that tackles the challenges of adolescent literacy by providing opportunities for teachers to learn theatrical best practices and experiences.
All Productions and Programs
To effectively serve people in our region and beyond, our mission of bringing stories to life for all multi-generational audiences of families, teens, and teachers. Our Accessibility programs include Audio Described performances, Closed Captioned performances and Sensory Inclusive performances as being the only regional theatre that is certified by KultureCity.
Global Classroom Program
The program connects local students and teachers with those in other districts, cities and countries as they explore literature, discover other cultures and make life-long connections.
Annual Drama Awards
The annual celebration of students who create non-musical productions in their schools
Where we work
Awards
Peace Partner Award 2013
Center for Victims
Champion of Learning in the Arts 2017
Consortium for Public Education
The Perks of being a Wallflower received the honor - Best Production in 2017 2017
CityPaper
2022 Prime Stage and our Audio Describer received the Audio Description National Achievement Award 2022
American Council of the Blind
Affiliations & memberships
Actor's Equity Association 2011
Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council 2011
Kulture City 2020
Theatre Communications Group 2020
Americans for the Arts 2020
External reviews
Photos
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Evaluation documents
Download evaluation reportsNumber of students showing improvement in test scores
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adolescents, Teachers
Related Program
"Literacy in ACTion" theatre/literacy residency program
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
These are based on students in the Literacy in ACTion Program Due to Covid the numbers decreased because of not being able to go into schools during 2020 and 2021 In 2022, we revised the program
Number of multi-year grants received
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
All Productions and Programs
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of groups/individuals benefiting from tools/resources/education materials provided
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Children and youth, Teachers
Related Program
Bringing Literature to Life - Education/Student matinees
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
These are people attending our student matinees, using our Resource Guide and information on our Education website pages Due to Covid the numbers decreased but began to increase in 2023
Number of new grants received
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Families, Children and youth, Teachers
Related Program
Bringing Literature to Life Productions and Programs
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Median grant amount
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Bringing Literature to Life Productions and Programs
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Numbered of staff who are satisfied to be an employee of the institution
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults
Related Program
Bringing Literature to Life Productions and Programs
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
We have 5 paid-part time staff. 6
Number of students demonstrating responsible behaviors and work habits
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adolescents, Adults
Related Program
Theatre Mentor/Internship Program
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
These are students in our mentor/internship program
Total number of grants awarded
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adolescents, Adults, Families, Teachers, Children
Related Program
Bringing Literature to Life Productions and Programs
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Average price of field trip tickets
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
All Productions and Programs
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of unique website visitors
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Bringing Literature to Life Productions and Programs
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Total number of free admissions
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adolescents, Ethnic and racial groups, Economically disadvantaged people
Related Program
Bringing Literature to Life Productions and Programs
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of paid participants on field trips
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Bringing Literature to Life - Education/Student matinees
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
The Pandemic eliminated field trips
Total number of paid admissions
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Bringing Literature to Life Productions and Programs
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
After streaming the productions, audiences are beginning their return to live theater
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planLearn 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?
As defined in our Strategic Plan:
Growth and Sustainability: Continue to reevaluate, adjust and adapt
Fundraising and Development: Diversify and increase our funding stream
Artistic Development: Help audiences discover what literature means to them as we bring literature to life
Educational Outreach: Continue to support applicable state and national educational standards.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
As defined in our Strategic Plan and from conducting a SWOT Analysis:
Develop and implement an effective and successful Corporate Sponsorship Program.
A team from our Board of Directors and staff designed a Corporate Sponsorship package with assistance from consultants. Strategies are in place to diversify funding sources and provide benefits to sponsors.
Design and implement Audience Development Programs to continually increase attendance.
We secured an excellent Social Media director who is working with the Marketing Director and the board to increase our visibility and how Social Media is used to generate interest for artistic programs.
Ensure and build diversity in our programming and staff with plays and artists that are culturally and ethnically diverse.
Secure personnel to lead the company for the next 20 years.
Secure a Managing Director to lead the company for the next decade and beyond.
Increase regional awareness of our brand and programming.
Our Marketing Director /Accessibility Leaders lead the board and staff on strategies to raise awareness of Prime Stage, secure partnerships and ensure Prime Stage reaches all audiences.
Sustain and grow the quality of our productions and programs.
Our administrative and artistic staff know and respect our mission. We bring in new directors and designers with great visions to lead the productions guided by Producing Artistic Director.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
As defined in our Strategic Plan and from conducting a SWOT Analysis:
Develop and implement an effective and successful Corporate Sponsorship Program.
We have the board and staff, along with consultants, to achieve this goal.
Implement an effective Marketing and Audience Development Program to increase attendance.
We also conduct audience surveys to acquire data on our audience.
Secure personnel to lead the company for the next 20 years.
Increase regional awareness of our brand and programming.
Sustain and grow the quality of our productions and programs.
Implement an effective Accessibility Plan.
Network with theatres to locate effective scripts that promote diversity.
Build diversity in our board and recruit members from local corporations.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
• Pivot our programming to produce in the new virtual world with Prime Online and Social Media channels
• Sustain the artist integrity of the productions and programs in an everchanging online and in person climate
• Further develop our accessibility programs which includes sensory inclusive, audio description, hearing and
sight impaired performances and outreach.
• Hire staff that fulfills the need for longevity and success of the company: such as Operations Director and
Accessibility Coordinator
• Recruit board members to help Prime Stage with development and strengthen how we serve audiences
• Develop programs to engage various ages and socioeconomic factors
• Explore outside resources and consultants to enhance our performances
• Develop technical strategies to strengthen Prime Stage’s brand
• Increase income from all sources
• Secure revenue from foundations and corporations.
• Secure operating support through grants, foundations, and corporations.
• Implement small fundraising campaigns with individual shows.
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 make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, 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 act on the feedback we receive
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
We don't have any major challenges to collecting 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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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
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Prime Stage
Board of directorsas of 07/16/2023
Mrs. Martha Trombold
Tepco
Term: 2011 -
Ms. Mary Lou Ellena
Wayne Brinda
Assistant Professor of Secondary Education at the University of Pittsburgh Bradford, Museum Teacher Fellow of United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
Connie Brinda
Billing Manager, Reed Smith, LLC.
Deb Wirth
Office Manager of Jezebels, Inc., Administrative Assistant Athletic Director at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School.
Mary-Lou Elena Wygonik
Retired teacher at Hampton High School, Adjunct faculty at LaRoche College and CCAC, Board member of Western Pennsylvania Council of English, Board member of American Cancer Society.
Shane Valenzi
An attorney specializing in civil litigation and intellectual property law. Shane is a frequent author and lecturer on copyright law issues throughout the United States and is an avid stage director.
Sueanne Zoratto
Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera Ambassador, Accounting Manager of IT Corporation, Production Assistant/Account Manager for Ross Productions.
Cara Nagel
Senior Event Coordinator at Senator John Heinz History Center, Graduate of Radford University
Mary Gibson
Director of Risk Management at Legends Hospitality a Global Sports Entertainment firm
Richard Garland
Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh in Behavioral and Community Health Sciences. Director of the BCHS Center for Health Equity’s Violence Prevention Project .
Enrique Bazan
Project Director for Paul C. Rizzo Associates, Inc. Works with in-country managers and their VP of South America in Argentina, Chile and Peru.
Suzanne Gilliland
Case manager at the Senator John Heinz History Center.
Lawrence McCullough
Journalist and author of fiction, non-fiction and plays performed in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, Africa, and Polynesia.
John Dolphin
Retired English and Drama teacher at Pine-Richland High School, member of the Prime Stage Teacher Advisory Council and Global Classroom Program. 2019 All Star Teacher with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Amber Vale
Attorney with UPMC. Assistant District Attorney at the Allegheny County office of the District Attorney, graduated from Duquesne School of Law School with a major in English Literature and Communication Students.
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? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
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
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:
The organization's co-leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Sexual orientation
Disability
We do not display disability information for organizations with fewer than 15 staff.
Equity strategies
Last updated: 11/27/2019GuideStar 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
- We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
- 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.
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