2023-05-15T15:54:15-04:00 2022-06-30 475677171 WALTERS & SKLYAR LLP 21031 VENTURA BLVD STE 401 WOODLAND HILLS CA 91364 990 2021-07-01 812917440 WACO THEATER CENTER WACO 8184001151 5144 LANKERSHIM BLVD NORTH HOLLYWOOD CA 91601 SHAY WAFER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 8184001151 2023-05-15 true SHAY WAFER 999009999 YEFIM SKLYAR CPA P00362128 8189752040 2023-05-15 2021 2023-04-26 12:10:37Z SHAY WAFER 5144 LANKERSHIM BLVD NORTH HOLLYWOOD CA 91601 4502178 false X HTTPS://WACOTHEATERCENTER.COM/ X 2016 CA WACO THEATER CENTER IS A PERFORMING AND VISUAL ARTS ORGANIZATION THAT PRESENTS, COMMISSIONS AND DEVELOPS ARTISTIC WORKS DEDICATED TO STORIES OF THE AFRICAN DIASPORA. WACO PROVIDES ARTISTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE A PLATFORM AND VOICE TO SHOWCASE THEIR CREATIVITY, IN ORDER TO CONNECT AND INSPIRE OTHERS. 7 5 18 50 0 3007290 4342126 150592 49 0 104893 9460 3112232 4502178 0 0 808347 1129652 0 188337 1038660 1719538 1847007 2849190 1265225 1652988 4060821 5590838 444626 372626 3616195 5218212 X LOCATED IN THE BURGEONING NORTH HOLLYWOOD ARTS DISTRICT OF LOS ANGELES, WACO THEATER CENTER (WACO, WHERE ART CAN OCCUR) IS ONE OF THE FEW LOS ANGELES CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS DEDICATED TO CONTEMPORARY PERFORMING AND VISUAL ART OF THE AFRICAN DIASPORA. DRIVEN BY THE MANTRA, "WHERE ART CAN OCCUR," WACO IS DEDICATED TO THE EMPOWERMENT OF ARTISTS WITHIN A DIVERSIFIED POOL OF OUR LA COMMUNITIES AND BEYOND. WACO CENTERS PROVIDING EMERGING AND ESTABLISHED ARTISTS OF AFRICAN DESCENT A PLATFORM AND A VOICE TO USE THEIR CREATIVITY, IN ORDER TO CONNECT AND INSPIRE INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE AFRICAN DIASPORA. WITH THIS AS A FOCAL POINT, ARTISTS ARE AN INVALUABLE PART OF THE ORGANIZATION. WE ENCOURAGE ARTISTS TO FIND THEIR TRUE PURPOSE AND AWAKEN THEIR OWN INDIVIDUAL POWER SOURCE, WHICH FUELS THEIR ART. WE FULFILL THIS MISSION BY PRESENTING LIVE DANCE, THEATER, MUSIC, AND INTERDISCIPLINARY EVENTS BY PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS; PROVIDING RESOURCES TO ADVANCE ARTISTS' CAREERS AND WORK; MAINTAI false false 431880 ORGANIZATION'S CORE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM - TINAS ANGELS, A YEARLONG MENTORSHIP PROGRAM FOR TEENAGE GIRLS, AND RICHARD'S WARRIORS, A MENTORSHIP PROGRAM FOR TEENAGE BOYS. WE SUCCESSFULLY CREATED AN ONLINE PLATFORM TO ENGAGE AND SUPPORT THE STUDENTS IN THE PROGRAM AND PROVIDED THEM WITH COMPUTERS AND SUPPLIES TO MAKE THEIR TRANSITION TO ONLINE CLASSES EASILY ACCESSIBLE. 1664589 150592 THE ORGANIZATION'S PRESENTING PROGRAMS WERE PIVOTED TO DIGITAL PLATFORMS. THE MAJORITY OF THE PROGRAM BUDGET WAS ALLOCATED TOWARDS THE CREATION OF A FILM VERSION OF A PLAY AND A SERIES OF HUMANITY EVENTS TO EXPLORE THE THEMES IN THE FILM. THE EVENTS WERE HELD ONLINE ON WACO'S VARIOUS PLATFORMS. THE PROJECT SUPPORTS PERFORMANCES BY ACTORS, DANCERS, MUSICIANS, DESIGNERS AND TECHNICIANS. 2096469 true true false false false false false false false false true false false false false true true true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true false false false true false false false false false false false false false true 56 0 true 18 true false false false false false false false false X 7 5 true false false false false false false true true false false true true true true true true true true false CA X SHAY WAFER 8184001151 5144 LANKERSHIM BLVD NORTH HOLLYWOOD CA 91601 RICHARD LAWSON PRESIDENT 40.00 X X 129062 0 0 TINA KNOWLES-LAWSON VICE-PRESIDE 40.00 X X 129062 0 0 ANGELIKI GIANNAKOPOLOUS SECRETARY 1.00 X X 0 0 0 MELBA LFARQUHAR TREASURER 1.00 X X 0 0 0 GLYNN TURMAN BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 RALPH FARQUHAR BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 JOHN WISEMAN BOARD MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 258124 3 false false false 25000 4317126 4342126 PROGRAM SERVICE FEES 711110 150592 150592 150592 OTHER INCOME 9460 9460 9460 4502178 150592 9460 364394 182197 145758 36439 625651 406673 156413 62565 41377 20689 16551 4137 98230 63849 24558 9823 14850 7425 5940 1485 12025 6013 4810 1202 131871 65936 52748 13187 10156 6601 2539 1016 1196 777 299 120 17776 11555 4444 1777 190447 123791 47612 19044 13693 8900 3423 1370 122166 79408 30541 12217 81222 52794 20306 8122 TALENT & PRODUCTION 431453 431453 PRODUCTION COST 275745 275745 A&W PDP 191717 191717 SUBSCRIPTIONS 100619 65402 25155 10062 124602 95544 23287 5771 2849190 2096469 564384 188337 3167662 634623 4085193 14410 39510 1059322 370834 735725 688488 143024 143024 4060821 5590838 53279 43908 242111 179482 149236 149236 444626 372626 X 3616195 5218212 3616195 5218212 4060821 5590838 1652988 -50971 X false true X true false X 1411238 1540432 2336515 3007290 4342126 12637601 1411238 1540432 2336515 3007290 4342126 12637601 4247153 8390448 8050 26053 48348 49 82500 9460 9460 12729561 393522 0.65910 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 191539 100320 91219 867783 270514 597269 688488 X 4502178 4502178 4502178 2849190 2849190 2849190 SCHEDULE D, PAGE 3, PART X THE ORGANIZATION IS EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL AND STATE INCOME TAXES UNDER INTERNAL REVENUE CODE (IRC) SECTION 501(C)(3) AND THE CORRESPONDING PROVISIONS OF THE CALIFORNIA REVENUE AND TAXATION CODE, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT OF UNRELATED BUSINESS TAXABLE INCOME (UBTI) AS DEFINED BY THE IRC.THE ORGANIZATION EVALUATES UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS THROUGH ITS REVIEW OF THE SOURCES OF INCOME TO IDENTIFY UBTI AND CERTAIN OTHER MATTERS, INCLUDING THOSE WHICH MAY AFFECT ITS TAX EXEMPT STATUS. THE EFFECT OF THE UNCERTAINTY WOULD BE RECORDED IF THE OUTCOME WAS CONSIDERED PROBABLE AND REASONABLY ESTIMABLE. AS OF JUNE 30, 2022, THE ORGANIZATION HAD NO UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS REQUIRING ACCRUAL. TINA KNOWLES LAWSON VICE PRESIDENT CASH FLOW X 167786 false true true RICHARD LAWSON PRESIDENT CASH FLOW X 11696 false true true 179482 RICHARD LAWSON STUDIOS 199874 A&W YOUNG ARTIST/PDP false SCHEDULE L, PART V SCHEDULE L, PART II, LOANS TO AND FROM INTERESTED PERSONS: (A) NAME OF PERSON: RICHARD LAWSON (B) RELATIONSHIP WITH ORGANIZATION: PRESIDENT (C) PURPOSE OF LOAN: CASH FLOW (D) LOAN TO OR FROM ORGANIZATION? = TO (E) ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT 0. (F) BALANCE DUE 11,696. (G) LOAN IN DEFAULT? = NO (H) APPROVED BY BOARD OR COMMITTEE? = YES (I) WRITTEN AGREEMENT? = YES (A) NAME OF PERSON: TINA KNOWLES LAWSON (B) RELATIONSHIP WITH ORGANIZATION: VICE-PRESIDENT (C) PURPOSE OF LOAN: CASH FLOW (D) LOAN TO OR FROM ORGANIZATION? = TO (E) ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT 0. (F) BALANCE DUE 167,786. (G) LOAN IN DEFAULT? = NO (H) APPROVED BY BOARD OR COMMITTEE? = YES (I) WRITTEN AGREEMENT? = YES FORM 990 - ORGANIZATION'S MISSION LOCATED IN THE BURGEONING NORTH HOLLYWOOD ARTS DISTRICT OF LOS ANGELES, WACO THEATER CENTER (WACO, WHERE ART CAN OCCUR) IS ONE OF THE FEW LOS ANGELES CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS DEDICATED TO CONTEMPORARY PERFORMING AND VISUAL ART OF THE AFRICAN DIASPORA. DRIVEN BY THE MANTRA, "WHERE ART CAN OCCUR," WACO IS DEDICATED TO THE EMPOWERMENT OF ARTISTS WITHIN A DIVERSIFIED POOL OF OUR LA COMMUNITIES AND BEYOND. WACO CENTERS PROVIDING EMERGING AND ESTABLISHED ARTISTS OF AFRICAN DESCENT A PLATFORM AND A VOICE TO USE THEIR CREATIVITY, IN ORDER TO CONNECT AND INSPIRE INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE AFRICAN DIASPORA. WITH THIS AS A FOCAL POINT, ARTISTS ARE AN INVALUABLE PART OF THE ORGANIZATION. WE ENCOURAGE ARTISTS TO FIND THEIR TRUE PURPOSE AND AWAKEN THEIR OWN INDIVIDUAL POWER SOURCE, WHICH FUELS THEIR ART. WE FULFILL THIS MISSION BY PRESENTING LIVE DANCE, THEATER, MUSIC, AND INTERDISCIPLINARY EVENTS BY PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS; PROVIDING RESOURCES TO ADVANCE ARTISTS' CAREERS AND WORK; MAINTAINING A ROBUST EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO ENGAGE WITH PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS; DEVELOPING AND PARTNERING ON PROJECTS THAT IMPACT THE FIELD, AND LINKING COMMUNITIES, ARTISTS AND AUDIENCES. SINCE 2017, WACO HAS BEEN PRESENTING, COMMISSIONING, DEVELOPING AND PRODUCING SIGNIFICANT AWARD-WINNING WORKS BY AN ARRAY OF AFRICAN DIASPORIC ARTISTS AND ART FORMS. OUR PROGRAMMING HAS BEEN GROUNDED IN ENSURING THE VIBRANCY AND CONTINUITY OF ARTISTIC CREATION WITH A COMMITMENT TO ARTIST DEVELOPMENT AND AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT. WE LAUNCHED OUR OPENING SEASON WITH A WEEKEND OF EVENTS, INCLUDING A STAGED READING OF RICHARD WESLEY'S THE TALENTED TENTH AND A SCREENING OF THE DOCUMENTARY KING OF THE STAGE: THE WOODIE KING, JR. STORY. THE WEEKEND CONCLUDED WITH A CONVERSATION WITH MR. WESLEY AND MR. KING MODERATED BY OUR ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, RICHARD LAWSON. OUR FIRST DANCE EVENT FEATURED EMERGING SEATTLE-BASED CHOREOGRAPHER AND DANCER JADE SOLOMON IN HER SOLO PERFORMANCE, BLACK LIKE ME: THE EXPLORATION OF THE WORD NIGGER. FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS, WE PARTNERED WITH BROOKLYN'S BILLIE HOLIDAY THEATRE TO CO-PRESENT 50IN50, NOTED AS "A PLATFORM FOR AGENCY AND EMPOWERMENT SO THAT ANY WOMAN OR GIRL CAN SHARE HER STORY, REGARDLESS OF CLASS, RACE, AGE, ABILITY, GENDER IDENTITY, NATIONALITY OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION." IN 2019, WACO EXPANDED ITS PERFORMANCE EVENTS WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF A MUSIC SERIES FEATURING LOCAL INDEPENDENT ARTISTS WHO ARE MAKING AN IMPACT. IN 2020, WE INTRODUCED OUR FIRST THEMATIC SEASON. EVENTS WERE CURATED UNDER THE THEME, THE EVOLUTION OF AFRICAN CULTURE. THE SERIES CONSISTED OF PERFORMING ARTS, HUMANITIES AND EDUCATIONAL EVENTS CONCEIVED TO EXPLORE HOW THE AFRICAN ARTISTIC AESTHETIC IS REPRESENTED IN CONTEMPORARY BLACK ART. IN RESPONSE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO HOLD LIVE PERFORMANCES IN FY21 BECAUSE OF THE COVID-19 QUARANTINE, WACO CREATED A SERIES OF ONLINE EVENTS TO REPLACE THOSE THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY SCHEDULED AND TO ENGAGE ARTISTS AND AUDIENCES. A SERIES OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY SHOWCASES WERE DEVELOPED PROVIDING ACCESS TO LOS ANGELES, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS TO SHOWCASE THEIR TALENTS TO AN ONLINE AUDIENCE. TITLED, I GOT THE MIC, THE PROGRAM WAS FIXATED ON WORDPLAY, METAPHORS, EXPRESSIONS AND CREATIVE STORYTELLING. A DYNAMIC VIRTUAL SHOW THAT SHOWCASED POETS, SPOKEN WORD ARTISTS AND WORDSMITHS. EACH SHOWCASE CONSISTED OF A FEATURED POET OR SPOKEN WORD ARTIST, A MUSICAL GUEST PERFORMANCE, DJ, VISUAL ARTIST HIGHLIGHT AND A SPECIAL CO-HOST. THE SERIES RECEIVED OVER 20K VIEWERS ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS. WACO IS COMMITTED TO BOTH THE SHARING OF CLASSIC PLAYS WITHIN THE BLACK CANON AND TO SUPPORTING ESTABLISHED ARTISTS. SOLO PERFORMANCES BY VANESSA BELL CALLOWAY (ZORA) AND DEBBI MORGAN (MONKEY ON MY BACK) WERE TWO PLAYS THAT CEMENTED OUR PLACE AMONG THEATRES IN LOS ANGELES. WACO PRODUCED NO PLACE TO BE SOMEBODY, BY CHARLES GORDONE, A 1969 PLAY WHICH RECEIVED THE 1970 PULITZER PRIZE FOR DRAMA. THIS PIECE WAS DIRECTED BY RICHARD LAWSON, A CAST MEMBER IN ONE OF THE EARLY PRODUCTIONS. ARTIST DEVELOPMENT: PROVIDES A SAFE HAVEN FOR ARTISTS OF AFRICAN DESCENT WITH A RANGE OF SUPPORT SERVICES TO ASSIST THEM IN DEVELOPING NEW WORK, INCLUDING REHEARSAL SPACE; HOSTING OPEN REHEARSALS; SUPPORTING AND MARKETING THE DEVELOPMENT OF HUMANITIES ACTIVITIES, AND FACILITATING RELATIONSHIPS WITH PRESENTERS. WACO PROVIDED A TWO-WEEK DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP FOR THE ENTIRE CREATIVE TEAM OF LOVE HEALS ALL WOUNDS BY LITTLE BUCK AND JOHN BOOGZ. THE PROJECT USES STREET DANCE, POETRY, FILM AND LIVE MUSIC TO EXPRESS THE TWO MEN'S FEELINGS ON SUBJECTS SUCH AS SOCIAL INJUSTICE, RACISM AND ENVIRONMENTAL DESTRUCTION. CREATOR, DAHLAK BRATHWAITE SPENT ONE WEEK IN RESIDENCY FURTHERING THE DEVELOPMENT OF HIS LATEST PROJECT, TRY/STEP/TRIP. THE TIME AT WACO WAS USED TO EXPLORE THE MULTIMEDIA ASPECTS OF THE PROJECT. INSPIRED BY BRATHWAITE'S OWN HISTORY, TRY/STEP/TRIP LAYERS CHARACTERS, POETIC VERSE, AND DIALOGUE OVER THE CONTENT OF SONGS TO CREATE A THEATRICAL PIECE THAT BLURS THE LINES BETWEEN HIP-HOP AND DRAMATIC PERFORMANCE. COMMUNITY PROGRAMS: WE HAVE BROUGHT MANY HIGH-QUALITY ARTS, CULTURAL AND COMMUNITY EVENTS TO OUR VENUE. PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS FURTHER DEMONSTRATE OUR DEEP COMMITMENT TO EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES BEYOND THE WALLS OF THE THEATRE. PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES INCLUDE MPACT: WOMEN EMPOWERMENT SERIES, BLACK EXCELLENCE BRUNCH SERIES, A HUMANITIES SERIES FEATURING CONVERSATIONS WITH ARTISTS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS, BACK-TO-SCHOOL BASH, COLLECTING AND DISTRIBUTING SUPPLIES FOR HURRICANE HARVEY VICTIMS, COLLEGE-ISH (A HIGHER EDUCATION FAIR) FOR LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND FREE SCREENINGS AND TALKBACKS OF STUDIO RELEASED FILMS, TO NAME A FEW. EDUCATION AND HUMANITIES: PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO ENHANCE UNDERSTANDING OF OUR PRESENTATIONS AND DEEPEN APPRECIATION OF THE ARTS IN GENERAL. WE OFFER AN INTIMATE VIEW OF THE SOCIAL AND HISTORICAL ENVIRONMENTS WITHIN WHICH WORK IS CREATED. LECTURE/DEMONSTRATIONS, PANEL DISCUSSIONS, WORKSHOPS, ETC. ARE FREE-OF-CHARGE AND PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE ARTS AND TO ARTISTS. OUR SIGNATURE EDUCATION PROGRAMS, TINA'S ANGELS AND RICHARD'S WARRIORS, ARE YEARLY MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE EXPOSURE, EXPERIENCE, AND ARTMAKING OPPORTUNITIES TO OVER 90 STUDENTS, WHO HAVE LITTLE TO NO ACCESS TO THE ARTS. THE PROGRAM BEGAN WITH MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH KIPP ACADEMY. IN 2020, THE PROGRAM WAS EXPANDED TO MAINTAIN RELATIONSHIPS WITH STUDENTS AS THEY MATRICULATED TO HIGH SCHOOL. VISUAL ARTS: EXHIBITIONS SERVE AS SPACES FOR VISUAL ARTISTS FROM THE AFRICAN DIASPORA TO DISPLAY THEIR RESPECTIVE WORKS. OUR MOST RECENT EXHIBIT FEATURED THE WORK OF TIFFANIE ANDERSON, A SELF-TAUGHT LOS ANGELES BASED ARTIST. THE EXHIBIT OPENED A FEW MONTHS BEFORE THE COVID-19 SHUT-DOWN. PLANNED EXHIBITS FOR FY21 HAVE BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL WE CAN SAFELY REOPEN. WE KNOW THAT VISUAL ART NOT ONLY CAPTURES CULTURAL MOMENTS BUT INFLUENCES THEM. THESE WORKS HAVE THE POWER TO PROVOKE, INSPIRE, INFORM, AND FORCE NEW WAYS OF THINKING - PARTICULARLY IN TIMES OF CRISIS. FORM 990, PART III DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION MISSION: THE ARTS SPEAK TO OUR CORE VALUES AND REVITALIZE EMPATHY AND CONNECTION, WHICH EMBOLDENS COMMUNIT IDENTITY AND ENCOURAGES CRITICAL THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING. THIS IS ESSENTIAL DURING DIFFICULT TIMES WHEN PEOPLE BEGIN TO FEEL DISENFRANCHISED AND SECLUDED. THE WACO THEATER CENTER IS DEDICATED TO THE EMPOWERMENT OF ARTISTS, AND PEOPLE IN GENERAL, WITHIN A DIVERSIFIED POOL OF OUR LA COMMUNITIES AND BEYOND. WE ENCOURAGE ARTISTS TO FIND THEIR TRUE PURPOSE AND AWAKEN THEIR OWN INDIVIDUAL POWER SOURCE, WHICH FUELS THEIR ART. AS PABLO PICASSO SAID: "THE MEANING OF LIFE IS TO FIND OUR GIFT. THE PURPOSE OF LIFE IS TO GIVE IT AWAY". THROUGH THE WELL-CRAFTED GUIDANCE OF OUR ARTISTS DIRECTORS, RICHARD LAWSON & TINA KNOWLES LAWSON, HUNDREDS OF ARTISTS AND OTHERS WILL LEARN TO REACH TANGIBLE GOALS BY APPLYING A SYSTEMATIC ROAD-MAP. FORM 990, PART VI THE BOARD MEMBERS SIGN A WRITTEN CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND DISCLOSURE STATEMENT AND POLICY EACH YEAR IN WRITING. THE EMPLOYEES ARE NOTIFIED BY AGREEING TO THE ANNUAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY IN THE EMPLOYER HANDBOOK EACH YEAR. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 2 RICHARD LAWSON TINA KNOWLES LAWSON PRESIDENT TREASURER HUSBAND AND WIFE MELBA L.FARQUHAR RALPH FARQUHAR BOARD MEMBER BOARD MEMBER HUSBAND AND WIFE FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B THE 990 WAS PRESENTED IN ITS DRAFT FORM TO THE BOARD FOR APPROVAL. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 12C THE ORGANIZATION CONSISTENTLY MONITORS COMPLIANCE WITH CONFLICT OF INTERESTS' POLICY. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15A INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBERS CLOSELY REVIEWS AVAILABLE MARKET DATA TO DETERMINE AND APPROVE COMPENSATION OF THE OFFICERS. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15B THE ARTISTIC DIRECTORS AND ED HAVE BEEN PAID EMPLOYEES FOR MORE THAN 3 YEARS AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RAISE SINCE THEIR HIRE. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19 THE ORGANIZATION'S GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST FOR PUBLIC REVIEW. THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX RETURN FILINGS ARE AVAILABLE FOR VIEW AT WWW.GUIDESTAR.ORG AND UPON REQUEST FROM THE ORGANIZATION.