2025-05-08T09:34:13-05:00 2024-06-30 390919055 RITZ HOLMAN LLP 330 E KILBOURN AVE SUITE 222 MILWAUKEE WI 53202 990 2023-07-01 391634828 FIRST STAGE MILWAUKEE FIRS 4142672940 325 W WALNUT STREET MILWAUKEE WI 53212 SCOTT STIVERSON TREASURER 4142672940 2025-05-08 1 0 KATY L SOMMER P00273273 4142711451 2025-05-07 2023 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z JEFF SPENCE 325 W WALNUT STREET MILWAUKEE WI 53212 5617596 0 X WWW.FIRSTSTAGE.ORG X 1987 WI FIRST STAGE MILWAUKEE, INC. DOES BUSINESS AS FIRST STAGE. OUR MISSION IS TO ENRICH THE LIVES OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES BY CREATING EXCEPTIONAL THEATER EXPERIENCES THROUGH OUR THREE MAIN ACTIVITIES:1) OUR PROFESSIONAL THEATER PRODUCTIONS ENGAGE, ENLIGHTEN, AND ENTERTAIN.2) OUR THEATER ACADEMY TRAINING FOSTERS LIFE SKILLS (E.G. CONFIDENCE, RESPECT, FRIENDSHIP, SUPPORT, MOTIVATION, ETC.) WHILE IT TEACHES STAGE SKILLS. 3) OUR DYNAMIC THEATER-IN-EDUCATION PROGRAMS PROMOTE LEARNING THROUGH THEATER. 23 23 250 100 0 0 2563361 3505455 1439013 1500309 163720 111092 -631 100079 4165463 5216935 0 0 0 0 3038933 3386690 0 0 550429 2191337 2414910 5230270 5801600 -1064807 -584665 6022273 5942910 1362318 1699443 4659955 4243467 X FIRST STAGE MILWAUKEE, INC. DOES BUSINESS AS FIRST STAGE. OUR MISSION IS TO ENRICH THE LIVES OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES BY CREATING EXCEPTIONAL THEATER EXPERIENCES 0 0 472535 112530 DURING THE 2023/24 SCHOOL YEAR, FIRST STAGE OFFERED ITS THEATER IN EDUCATION PROGRAMS TO 82 SCHOOLS AND ORGANIZATIONS, 56% OF WHICH ARE WITHIN THE CITY OF MILWAUKEE. THEATER IN EDUCATION PROGRAMS INCLUDED FIELD TRIP PACKAGES, WHICH PAIR A CLASSROOM'S FIELD TRIP TO A WEEKDAY MATINEE THEATER PERFORMANCE WITH IN-SCHOOL WORKSHOPS; ARTS-INTEGERATED WORKSHOPS, WHICH INCORPORATE DRAMA-CENTRIC ARTS INTO THE CURRENT CLASSROOM CURRICULUM TO HELP STUDENTS MAKE A DEEPER CONNECTION TO THE MATERIAL AND HELP THEM EXPLORE THEIR CREATIVITY; THEATER SKILLS WORKSHOPS, CUSTOMIZABLE SESSIONS WHICH INCLUDE TRAINING IN ACTING, IMPROVISATION, MUSICAL THEATER, CREATIVE DRAMA, AND STORY DRAMA; AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS, WHICH PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR CLASSROOM TEACHERS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DRAMATIC ARTS AND THEIR UNIQUE ABILITY TO INSTILL PASSION FOR LEARNING AND TRANSFORM YOUNG MINDS WITH LIFE SKILLS THROUGH STAGE SKILLS. OVER 1500 WORKSHOPS WERE OFFERED, PROVIDING LEARNING OPPORTUNITES TO 10,230 STUDENTS. 827016 459984 OUR FIRST STAGE THEATER ACADEMY REMAINS ONE OF THE NATION'S LARGEST HIGH-IMPACT THEATER TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH, TEACHING LIFE SKILLS THROUGH STAGE SKILLS TO YOUNG PEOPLE AGES 3-18 WITH A STAFF OF PROFESSIONAL TEACHING ARTISTS. TOTAL ENROLLMENTS IN THE 2023/24 SEASON WAS 1,402 WITH A TOTAL OF 937 UNIQUE STUDENTS OVER 130 UNIQUE CLASS OFFERINGS. IN ADDITION, FIRST STAGE OFFERS THE NEXT STEPS PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM. THIS PROGRAM WAS ABLE TO SERVE 18 STUDENTS OVER THE SEASON. FIRST STAGE WILL NOT TURN ANYONE AWAY FROM THE THEATER ACADEMY DUE TO INABILITY TO PAY. WE OFFER THE FAMILY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM OFFERING FINANCIAL AID SCHOLARSHIPS AND OTHER LOGISTICAL SUPPORT AS NEEDED. IN 2023/24, 139 SCHOLARSHIPS WERE AWARDED TOTALING $60,419. 3125777 949477 THE FIRST STAGE PROFESSIONAL THEATER PRODUCTIONS WELCOME 74,854 AUDIENCE MEMBERS ACROSS 312 PERFORMANCES DURING THE 2023/24 SEASON. AMONG THESE PERFORMANCES INCLUDED OUR SENSORY FRIENDLY PERFORMANCES, WITH ONE OFFERED PER PRODUCTION. MORE THAN 900 AUDIENCE MEMBERS WERE SERVED THROUGH OUR SENSORY FRIENDLY PERFORMANCES. FIRST STAGE ALSO PROVIDED THEATER PRODUCTION EXPERIENCE AT NO OR LITTLE COST TO 2,523 YOUNG PEOPLE AND FAMILIES THROUGH OUR "PAY WHAT YOU CHOOSE" PERFORMANCES, "FIRST STAGE FOR $5" TICKET OFFERS, AND A SELECT NUMBER OF FREE PREVIEW PERFORMANCE TICKETS GIVEN TO OUR NONPROFIT PARTNERS AND THEATER ACADEMY FAMILIES WHO RECEIVE FINANCIAL AID. 4425328 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 56 0 1 250 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 X 23 23 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 WI X X KATE SCHMITT 4142672940 325 W WALNUT ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 CHRISTOPHER MARSCHKA PRESIDENT 1.00 X X 0 0 0 DARREN GOLDSTEIN TREASURER 1.00 X X 0 0 0 ELLEN BASTING DIZARD SECRETARY 1.00 X X 0 0 0 LAURA ORR VICE PRESIDENT 1.00 X X 0 0 0 CHRISTINE BESTOR TOWNSEND VICE PRESIDENT 1.00 X X 0 0 0 ALEXIS DAHMER DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 ALICIA PILARSKI DO DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 ASHLEY WROBLEWSKI DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 BRENT SULLIVAN DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 BRIAN GILPIN DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 CORRIE PRUNUSKE DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 DAN KEMPKEN DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 JEFF SPENCE DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 JEREMY TARDY DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 JOHN EAST-SCOTT STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE 0.50 X 0 0 0 JUSTIN MERTZ DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 MELISSA NELSEN DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 SAGAR MURTHY DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 SALLY CARTWRIGHT DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 SCOTT STIVERSON DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 SHANTANU SINGH DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 SUZANNE CLAUSING DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 TIM LANTZ DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 KATE SCHMITT FINANCE DIR 40.00 X 44536 0 5344 ELIZABETH CORRY PAST MANAGING DIR 40.00 X 90595 0 0 JEFF FRANK ART DIRECTOR 40.00 X 143588 0 25648 DANIEL GRAMBOW MANAGING DIR 40.00 X 30221 0 4888 308940 0 35880 1 0 1 0 CAPACITY INTERACTIVE CONSULTING LLC BOX 83447 WOBURN MA 01813 MARKETING CONSULTING 217834 1 697306 49663 43735 2714751 1013189 3505455 TICKET SALES 711110 687414 687414 ACADEMY INCOME 611600 459984 459984 SCHOOL GROUPS 611600 240381 240381 THEATER IN EDUCATION 611600 112530 112530 1500309 59218 59218 2272 2272 351127 299253 51874 51874 51874 163611 49663 87486 76125 76125 26668 13922 12746 12746 OTHER REVENUE 900099 8936 8936 8936 5216935 1521991 0 189489 399026 282067 66371 50588 2333180 1628220 400052 304908 410902 310092 57208 43602 243582 169985 41765 31832 525 525 18000 18000 30960 21948 5749 3263 449324 412988 20842 15494 29058 24934 1994 2130 126528 85418 27816 13294 123175 123175 734462 651374 47151 35937 64351 63811 540 13508 2224 5303 5981 2687 2687 172103 127356 25816 18931 29731 22001 4460 3270 ADMINISTRATIVE 185304 137125 27796 20383 PRODUCTION EXPENSE 162171 162171 ARTISTIC FEES 139214 139214 BAD DEBT EXPENSE 71933 71933 61876 61225 375 276 5801600 4425328 825843 550429 818833 363679 769755 27851 299723 878723 196641 1826 30854 25337 108203 41200 2226336 1578591 681443 647745 1970512 2911057 106566 98776 1039743 946716 6022273 5942910 117410 243659 272687 392603 150000 972221 913181 1362318 1699443 X 4064304 2847766 595651 1395701 4659955 4243467 6022273 5942910 -584665 168177 0 X 0 1 X 1 0 X 2655230 4003625 4064200 2563361 3505455 16791871 2596446 503200 965245 1529645 1690588 7285124 5251676 4506825 5029445 4093006 5196043 24076995 308313 313356 454161 174350 193777 1443957 0 308313 313356 454161 174350 193777 1443957 22633038 41282 42061 71140 163753 113364 431600 41282 42061 71140 163753 113364 431600 3606 9910 7606 16447 8936 46505 5296564 4558796 5108191 4273206 5318343 24555100 0.92170 0.92710 0.01760 0.01460 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 770430 1012475 102711 283567 1602049 721002 82558 33130 770430 855604 -100727 33875 721002 741688 145086 31170 855604 737727 31731 27770 741688 1.00000 0 0 585974 142728 443246 1124854 1005904 118950 515508 429959 85549 647745 DEPOSITS 32174 SECURITY DEPOSIT 55870 ROU ASSET 858672 946716 OTHER LIABILITIES 12603 OPERATING LEASE LIABILITY 874517 FINANCE LEASE LIABILITY 26061 913181 X 5385112 168177 168177 5216935 0 5216935 5801600 0 5801600 0 5801600 PART V, LINE 4: THE BOARD-DESIGNATED ENDOWMENT IS MADE UP OF TWO PARTS. THE FIRST PART, APPROXIMATELY 20% OF THE QUASI-ENDOWMENT, IS AVAILABLE FOR USE BY THE ORGANIZATION TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY RESERVE FUNDS, ALLEVIATE BUDGET SHORTFALLS, AND TO PROVIDE OPERATING FUNDS FOR NEW BUSINESS INITIATIVES APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THE SECOND PART, APPROXIMATELY 80% OF THE QUASI-ENDOWMENT, IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE LONG-TERM STABILITY TO THE ORGANIZATION AND ANNUAL CASH FLOW FROM INVESTMENT INCOME TO FUND ONGOING OPERATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT FOR FIRST STAGE. PART X, LINE 2: THE ORGANIZATION IS EXEMPT FROM INCOME TAX UNDER SECTION 501(C)(3) OF INTERNAL REVENUE CODE AND IS CLASSIFIED AS OTHER THAN A PRIVATE FOUNDATION. MANAGEMENT HAS REVIEWED ALL TAX POSITIONS RECOGNIZED IN PREVIOUSLY FILED TAX RETURNS AND THOSE EXPECTED TO BE TAKEN IN FUTURE TAX RETURNS. AS OF JUNE 30, 2024, THE ORGANIZATION HAD NO AMOUNTS RELATED TO UNRECOGNIZED INCOME TAX BENEFITS AND NO AMOUNTS RELATED TO ACCRUED INTEREST AND PENALTIES. THE ORGANIZATION DOES NOT ANTICIPATE ANY SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO UNRECOGNIZED INCOME TAX BENEFITS OVER THE NEXT YEAR. ANNUAL BALL 152199 38350 113849 5972 46204 1900 7880 ANNUAL WINE EVENT 52200 11313 40887 1993 11524 160 3248 1 8875 8875 12 6804 1790 213274 58538 154736 7977 64532 2060 12918 87487 67249 X X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 JEFF FRANK ART DIRECTOR 118588 0 25000 0 0 0 0 0 25648 0 169236 0 0 0 X 713 X 1012476 0 1 0 FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B LINE 11B EXPLANATION - THE 990 IS JOINTLY PREPARED BY THE ORGANIZATION'S DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND OUR CPA FIRM. WHEN THE PRELIMINARY 990 IS COMPLETE, AN ELECTRONIC COPY IS PROVIDED TO MEMBERS OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE. THESE MEMBERS REVIEW THE 990 AND MAKE COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS FOR CHANGES TO THE PREPARERS. ANY NECESSARY MODIFICATIONS ARE MADE, AND THE FINAL DRAFT OF THE 990 IS THEN REVIEWED BY THE TREASURER FOR ACCURACY. THE APPROVED FINAL COPY OF THE TAX RETURN IS THEN MADE AVAILABLE TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. AFTER RESPONDING TO ANY INQUIRIES BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, THE 990 IS PRINTED AND SIGNED BY THE PREPARERS AND THE TREASURER OR OTHER APPROVED OFFICER OF THE BOARD BEFORE BEING FILED WITH THE IRS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C THE ORGANIZATION'S FISCAL YEAR RUNS FROM JULY 1 TO JUNE 30. HOWEVER, THE MAJORITY OF THE FINANCIAL ACTIVITY FOR THE ORGANIZATION OCCURS DURING THE THEATRICAL SEASON, WHICH RUNS FROM SEPTEMBER THROUGH MAY. IT IS DURING THIS TIMEFRAME THAT THE ORGANIZATION HAS REGULAR BOARD MEETINGS. AT THE FIRST BOARD MEETING OF THE SEASON, IN SEPTEMBER, THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY IS DISTRIBUTED TO EACH DIRECTOR. THE DIRECTOR MUST COMPLETE THE SIGNATURE PAGE OF THE POLICY, CONFIRMING THAT THEY UNDERSTAND THE POLICY, AND RETURN THAT PAGE TO THE GENERAL MANAGER. ANY MEMBER OF THE BOARD WHO REFUSES OR FAILS TO SIGN SUCH A STATEMENT SHALL BE PROHIBITED FROM PARTICIPATING IN DISCUSSION OR ACTION BY THE BOARD. IF THEN DURING THE YEAR A DIRECTOR LEARNS OF A CONFLICT OF INTEREST, THEY MUST DISCLOSE IT TO THE BOARD. SUCH A CONFLICT WILL BE ENTERED INTO THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING. AT FUTURE DISCUSSIONS OR VOTES TO WHICH THIS CONFLICT IS RELATED, THE DIRECTOR IS RECUSED FROM THE MEETING. TO ENSURE THE UTMOST EFFICACY OF THIS POLICY, THE GENERAL MANAGER CONDUCTS PERIODIC REVIEWS TO ENSURE THE SIGNING OF THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT AND ALSO REVIEWS THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE BOARD ON BEHALF OF THE ORGANIZATION. SUCH REVIEW IS INTENDED TO ENSURE THAT THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUES AT ALL TIMES TO BE OPERATED EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE ACHIEVEMENT OF ITS PUBLIC CHARITABLE PURPOSES, RATHER THAN FOR THE BENEFIT OF ONE OR MORE PRIVATE PERSONS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 THE RESULTS FROM TCG ARE ALSO USED BY THE BOARD AND MANAGING DIRECTOR TO SET SALARIES FOR ALL OTHER EMPLOYEES OF THE ORGANIZATION. NO DIRECTORS FROM THE BOARD ARE COMPENSATED FOR THEIR WORK AS A BOARD MEMBER. THE ORGANIZATION'S MANAGING DIRECTOR POSITION IS A PAID-EMPLOYEE POSITION. THIS POSITION'S BENEFITS(INSURANCE ETC) ARE THE SAME AS FOR ANY OTHER FULL-TIME, YEAR-ROUND EMPLOYEE OF THE ORGANIZATION. THE SALARY, HOWEVER, IS NEGOTIATED EVERY THREE YEARS WITH THE BOARD PRESIDENT AND THE BOARD TREASURER. DATA USED TO DETERMINE WHAT THAT SALARY SHOULD BE INCLUDES PUBLISHED CENSUS AND SURVEY RESULTS FROM OTHER LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS, BOTH CHARITABLE AND NOT, AS WELL AS NATIONAL SURVEY RESULTS FROM THE THEATER COMMUNICATIONS GROUP (TCG) OF OTHER THEATERS NATIONWIDE. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 FIRST STAGE HAS BOTH PHYSICAL AND ELECTRONIC VERSIONS OF ITS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. THESE DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST TO THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE OR GENERAL MANAGER. IN ADDITION, THE FORM 990 IS PUBLISHED EACH YEAR ON GUIDESTAR.ORG, WHICH RECEIVES THE 990 FROM THE IRS. MILWAUKEE YOUTH ARTS CENTER INC 325 W WALNUT ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 113665475 HOUSES THE ADMINISTRATIVE, ACADEMY, AND WI 501(C)(3) 509(A)(3), TYPE 1 NO 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 MILWAUKEE YOUTH ARTS CENTER INC K 314000 AMOUNT BILLED MILWAUKEE YOUTH ARTS CENTER INC O 196182 ACTUAL INCURRED