The Little Theatre Group of Butler Pennsylvania

A Little Theatre. A Lotta Fun!

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

GuideStar Charity Check

EIN: 23-7064108

Contributions tax deductible
as of November 2023

IRS BMF 509(a)(2)
as of November 13, 2023

View summary

Charity Check report

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

Subject area info

Theater

Population served info

Children and youth

Adults

NTEE code info

Theater (A65)

IRS subsection

501(c)(3) Public Charity

IRS filing requirement

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

Tax forms

Show Forms 990

Communication

Programs and results

Reports and documents

What we aim to solve

This profile needs more info.

If it is your nonprofit, add a problem overview.

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

Youth Theatre Education Program

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

External reviews

Photos

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

Totals By Year

Population(s) Served

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

Totals By Year

Population(s) Served

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

Totals By Year

Population(s) Served

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

Totals By Year

Population(s) Served

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

Totals By Year

Population(s) Served

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

Totals By Year

Population(s) Served

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

Totals By Year

Population(s) Served

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

Totals By Year

Population(s) Served

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

Totals By Year

Population(s) Served

Related Program

Live Stage Theatrical Productions

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Holding steady

Context Notes

Total number of students participating in private lessons

Totals By Year

Population(s) Served

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.

What is the organization aiming to accomplish?

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.

What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?

What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?

What have they accomplished so far and what's next?

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.

We demonstrated a willingness to learn more by reviewing resources about feedback practice.

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

Fiscal year: Jun 01 - May 31

Revenue vs. expenses: breakdown

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

NET GAIN/LOSS: in

Note: When component data are not available, the graph displays the total Revenue and/or Expense values.

Financial data

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

Digitizing IRS form 990 data

The Little Theatre Group of Butler Pennsylvania

Revenue & expenses

Fiscal Year: Jun 01 - May 31

SOURCE: IRS Form 990 info

Fiscal year ending: Download Data

Revenue
Contributions	$0
Program Services	$38,571
Investments	$167
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$21,550
Total Revenue	$60,288

Expenses
Grants	$0
Salaries & Employee Benefits	$0
Professional Fees	$0
Occupancy	$22,712
Printing, Publications, Postage, etc.	$3,595
Other Expenses	$32,198
Total Expenses	$58,505
Net Gain/Loss	$1,783

Revenue
Contributions	$0
Program Services	$40,404
Investments	$111
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$23,315
Total Revenue	$63,830

Expenses
Grants	$0
Salaries & Employee Benefits	$0
Professional Fees	$0
Occupancy	$28,448
Printing, Publications, Postage, etc.	$3,873
Other Expenses	$36,883
Total Expenses	$69,204
Net Gain/Loss	($5,374)

Revenue
Contributions	$9,079
Program Services	$51,781
Investments	$118
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$22,559
Total Revenue	$83,537

Expenses
Grants	$0
Salaries & Employee Benefits	$0
Professional Fees	$0
Occupancy	$26,740
Printing, Publications, Postage, etc.	$5,660
Other Expenses	$39,229
Total Expenses	$71,629
Net Gain/Loss	$11,908

Revenue
Contributions	$0
Program Services	$51,753
Investments	$107
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$21,990
Total Revenue	$73,850

Expenses
Grants	$0
Salaries & Employee Benefits	$0
Professional Fees	$0
Occupancy	$21,372
Printing, Publications, Postage, etc.	$2,858
Other Expenses	$42,671
Total Expenses	$66,901
Net Gain/Loss	$6,949

Revenue
Contributions	$0
Program Services	$47,721
Investments	$114
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$22,987
Total Revenue	$70,822

Expenses
Grants	$0
Salaries & Employee Benefits	$0
Professional Fees	$0
Occupancy	$24,217
Printing, Publications, Postage, etc.	$1,773
Other Expenses	$31,717
Total Expenses	$57,707
Net Gain/Loss	$13,115

Revenue
Contributions	$0
Program Services	$48,982
Investments	$111
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$22,892
Total Revenue	$71,985

Expenses
Grants	$0
Salaries & Employee Benefits	$0
Professional Fees	$0
Occupancy	$24,008
Printing, Publications, Postage, etc.	$1,019
Other Expenses	$38,415
Total Expenses	$63,442
Net Gain/Loss	$8,543

Revenue
Contributions	$0
Program Services	$38,201
Investments	$317
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$22,786
Total Revenue	$61,304

Expenses
Grants	$0
Salaries & Employee Benefits	$0
Professional Fees	$0
Occupancy	$24,731
Printing, Publications, Postage, etc.	$2,041
Other Expenses	$29,662
Total Expenses	$56,434
Net Gain/Loss	$4,870

Revenue
Contributions	$0
Program Services	$24,728
Investments	$178
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$7,580
Total Revenue	$32,486

Expenses
Grants	$0
Salaries & Employee Benefits	$0
Professional Fees	$0
Occupancy	$21,116
Printing, Publications, Postage, etc.	$1,240
Other Expenses	$15,025
Total Expenses	$37,381
Net Gain/Loss	($4,895)

Revenue
Contributions	$6,430
Program Services	$23,093
Investments	$109
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$9,915
Total Revenue	$39,547

Expenses
Grants	$0
Salaries & Employee Benefits	$0
Professional Fees	$0
Occupancy	$23,733
Printing, Publications, Postage, etc.	$2,585
Other Expenses	$26,252
Total Expenses	$52,570
Net Gain/Loss	($13,023)

Revenue
Contributions	$14,150
Program Services	$41,654
Investments	$308
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$15,348
Total Revenue	$71,460

Expenses
Grants	$0
Salaries & Employee Benefits	$0
Professional Fees	$0
Occupancy	$26,329
Printing, Publications, Postage, etc.	$1,692
Other Expenses	$31,772
Total Expenses	$59,793
Net Gain/Loss	$11,667

The Little Theatre Group of Butler Pennsylvania

Balance sheet

Fiscal Year: Jun 01 - May 31

SOURCE: IRS Form 990 info

The balance sheet gives a snapshot of the financial health of an organization at a particular point in time. An organization's total assets should generally exceed its total liabilities, or it cannot survive long, but the types of assets and liabilities must also be considered. For instance, an organization's current assets (cash, receivables, securities, etc.) should be sufficient to cover its current liabilities (payables, deferred revenue, current year loan, and note payments). Otherwise, the organization may face solvency problems. On the other hand, an organization whose cash and equivalents greatly exceed its current liabilities might not be putting its money to best use.

Fiscal year ending: Download Data

Assets	Jun 01, 2013	May 31, 2014	Change
Contributions	$0
Cash & Equivalents	$164,987	$143,468	($21,519)
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$43,322	$141,470	$98,148
Other	$0	$0	$0
Total Assets	$208,309	$284,938	$76,629

Liabilities	Jun 01, 2013	May 31, 2014	Change
Total Liabilities	$0	$74,846	$74,846

Fund balance	Jun 01, 2013	May 31, 2014	Change
Net Assets	$208,309	$210,092	$1,783

Assets	Jun 01, 2014	May 31, 2015	Change
Contributions	$0
Cash & Equivalents	$143,468	$131,263	($12,205)
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$141,470	$145,031	$3,561
Other	$0	$0	$0
Total Assets	$284,938	$276,294	($8,644)

Liabilities	Jun 01, 2014	May 31, 2015	Change
Total Liabilities	$74,846	$71,576	($3,270)

Fund balance	Jun 01, 2014	May 31, 2015	Change
Net Assets	$210,092	$204,718	($5,374)

Assets	Jun 01, 2015	May 31, 2016	Change
Contributions	$9,079
Cash & Equivalents	$131,263	$124,819	($6,444)
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$145,031	$159,652	$14,621
Other	$0	$0	$0
Total Assets	$276,294	$284,471	$8,177

Liabilities	Jun 01, 2015	May 31, 2016	Change
Total Liabilities	$71,576	$67,845	($3,731)

Fund balance	Jun 01, 2015	May 31, 2016	Change
Net Assets	$204,718	$216,626	$11,908

Assets	Jun 01, 2016	May 31, 2017	Change
Contributions	$0
Cash & Equivalents	$124,819	$129,474	$4,655
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$159,652	$158,057	($1,595)
Other	$0	$0	$0
Total Assets	$284,471	$287,531	$3,060

Liabilities	Jun 01, 2016	May 31, 2017	Change
Total Liabilities	$67,845	$63,956	($3,889)

Fund balance	Jun 01, 2016	May 31, 2017	Change
Net Assets	$216,626	$223,575	$6,949

Assets	Jun 01, 2017	May 31, 2018	Change
Contributions	$0
Cash & Equivalents	$129,474	$139,261	$9,787
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$158,057	$156,964	($1,093)
Other	$0	$0	$0
Total Assets	$287,531	$296,225	$8,694

Liabilities	Jun 01, 2017	May 31, 2018	Change
Total Liabilities	$63,956	$59,535	($4,421)

Fund balance	Jun 01, 2017	May 31, 2018	Change
Net Assets	$223,575	$236,690	$13,115

Assets	Jun 01, 2018	May 31, 2019	Change
Contributions	$0
Cash & Equivalents	$139,261	$139,303	$42
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$156,964	$161,752	$4,788
Other	$0	$0	$0
Total Assets	$296,225	$301,055	$4,830

Liabilities	Jun 01, 2018	May 31, 2019	Change
Total Liabilities	$59,535	$55,822	($3,713)

Fund balance	Jun 01, 2018	May 31, 2019	Change
Net Assets	$236,690	$245,233	$8,543

Assets	Jun 01, 2019	May 31, 2020	Change
Contributions	$0
Cash & Equivalents	$139,303	$144,389	$5,086
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$161,752	$156,828	($4,924)
Other	$0	$0	$0
Total Assets	$301,055	$301,217	$162

Liabilities	Jun 01, 2019	May 31, 2020	Change
Total Liabilities	$55,822	$51,114	($4,708)

Fund balance	Jun 01, 2019	May 31, 2020	Change
Net Assets	$245,233	$250,103	$4,870

Assets	Jun 01, 2020	May 31, 2021	Change
Contributions	$0
Cash & Equivalents	$144,389	$142,591	($1,798)
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$156,828	$148,776	($8,052)
Other	$0	$0	$0
Total Assets	$301,217	$291,367	($9,850)

Liabilities	Jun 01, 2020	May 31, 2021	Change
Total Liabilities	$51,114	$46,159	($4,955)

Fund balance	Jun 01, 2020	May 31, 2021	Change
Net Assets	$250,103	$245,208	($4,895)

Assets	Jun 01, 2021	May 31, 2022	Change
Contributions	$6,430
Cash & Equivalents	$142,591	$101,954	($40,637)
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$148,776	$171,221	$22,445
Other	$0	$0	$0
Total Assets	$291,367	$273,175	($18,192)

Liabilities	Jun 01, 2021	May 31, 2022	Change
Total Liabilities	$46,159	$40,990	($5,169)

Fund balance	Jun 01, 2021	May 31, 2022	Change
Net Assets	$245,208	$232,185	($13,023)

Assets	Jun 01, 2022	May 31, 2023	Change
Contributions	$14,150
Cash & Equivalents	$101,954	$115,752	$13,798
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$171,221	$163,894	($7,327)
Other	$0	$0	$0
Total Assets	$273,175	$279,646	$6,471

Liabilities	Jun 01, 2022	May 31, 2023	Change
Total Liabilities	$40,990	$35,794	($5,196)

Fund balance	Jun 01, 2022	May 31, 2023	Change
Net Assets	$232,185	$243,852	$11,667

Operations

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

Documents

Letter of Determination

Form 1023/1024 is not available for this organization

Chairman

Dennis Casey

Vice Chair

Phillip Ball

The Little Theatre Group of Butler Pennsylvania

Officers, directors, trustees, and key employees

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

Compensation

Other

Show data for fiscal year

Compensation data

Download up to 5 most recent years of officer and director compensation data for this organization

There are no highest paid employees recorded for this organization.

The Little Theatre Group of Butler Pennsylvania

Board of directors
as of 11/01/2023

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Board of directors data

Download the most recent year of board of directors data for this 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

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.

The Little Theatre Group of Butler Pennsylvania

A Little Theatre. A Lotta Fun!

Mission

Is this your nonprofit?

Programs and results

Reports and documents

What we aim to solve

This profile needs more info.

Our programs

Live Stage Theatrical Productions

Youth Theatre Education Program

Where we work

Affiliations & memberships

Our results

Evaluation documents

Total number of paid admissions

Totals By Year

Population(s) Served

Related Program

Type of Metric

Direction of Success

Context Notes

Total number of free admissions

Totals By Year

Population(s) Served

Related Program

Type of Metric

Direction of Success

Context Notes

Total free seats filled for open rehearsals

Totals By Year

Population(s) Served

Related Program

Type of Metric

Direction of Success

Context Notes

Total number of open rehearsals

Totals By Year

Population(s) Served

Related Program

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Total number of paid seats filled for performances

Totals By Year

Population(s) Served

Related Program

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Direction of Success

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Total number of performances

Totals By Year

Population(s) Served

Related Program

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Direction of Success

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Total number of classes offered

Totals By Year

Population(s) Served

Related Program

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Total number of audience members

Totals By Year

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Average dollar price for performance tickets

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Total number of students participating in private lessons

Totals By Year