2026-05-08T07:45:14-05:00 2025-06-30 390919055 RITZ HOLMAN LLP 330 E KILBOURN AVE SUITE 222 MILWAUKEE WI 53202 990 2024-07-01 391634828 FIRST STAGE MILWAUKEE FIRS 4142672940 325 W WALNUT STREET MILWAUKEE WI 53212 SCOTT STIVERSON TREASURER 4142672940 2026-05-08 1 0 BRIAN FALK P01427495 4142711451 2026-04-29 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z JEFF SPENCE 325 W WALNUT STREET MILWAUKEE WI 53212 5159353 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 23 213 100 0 0 3505455 2443527 1500309 1924908 111092 579295 100079 52753 5216935 5000483 0 0 0 0 3386690 2941011 0 0 522849 2414910 3181925 5801600 6122936 -584665 -1122453 5942910 4836113 1699443 2008895 4243467 2827218 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 379050 123226 DURING THE 2024/25 SCHOOL YEAR, FIRST STAGE OFFERED ITS THEATER IN EDUCATION PROGRAMS TO 76 SCHOOLS AND ORGANIZATIONS, 58% 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 1,100 WORKSHOPS WERE OFFERED, PROVIDING LEARNING OPPORTUNITES TO 6,873 STUDENTS. 582115 582018 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 2024/25 SEASON WAS 1,961 WITH A TOTAL OF 1,326 UNIQUE STUDENTS OVER 170 UNIQUE CLASS OFFERINGS. FIRST STAGE OFFERS THE NEXT STEPS PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM AS PART OF OUR THEATER ACADEMY. 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 2024/25, 196 SCHOLARSHIPS WERE AWARDED TOTALING MORE THAN $77,400. 3160956 1261204 THE FIRST STAGE PROFESSIONAL THEATER PRODUCTIONS WELCOMED 68,974 AUDIENCE MEMBERS ACROSS 419 PERFORMANCES DURING THE 2024/25 SEASON. AMONG THESE PERFORMANCES INCLUDED OUR SENSORY FRIENDLY PERFORMANCES, WITH ONE OFFERED PER PRODUCTION. MORE THAN 1,000 AUDIENCE MEMBERS WERE SERVED THROUGH OUR SENSORY FRIENDLY PERFORMANCES. FIRST STAGE ALSO PROVIDED THEATER PRODUCTION EXPERIENCE AT NO OR LITTLE COST TO 3,436 YOUNG PEOPLE AND FAMILIES THROUGH OUR "PAY WHAT YOU CHOOSE" PERFORMANCES, $10 TICKETS FOR FAMILIES WITH AN ACCESS FOR ALL PASSPORT, AND A SELECT NUMBER OF FREE PREVIEW PERFORMANCE TICKETS GIVEN TO OUR NONPROFIT PARTNERS. 4122121 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 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 48 0 1 213 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 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 JEFF SPENCE PRESIDENT 1.00 X X 0 0 0 SCOTT STIVERSON TREASURER 1.00 X X 0 0 0 TIM LANTZ VICE PRESIDENT OF GOVERNANCE 1.00 X X 0 0 0 ELLEN BASTING DIZARD SECRETARY 1.00 X X 0 0 0 CHRISTINE BESTOR TOWNSEND VICE PRESIDENT AT LARGE 1.00 X X 0 0 0 LEIF BERGQUIST DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 COLLEEN BOTTING DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 SALLY CARTWRIGHT DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 ALEXIS DAHMER DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 JOHN EASH-SCOTT DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 IAN GONZALEZ DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 DANIELLE MACHATA DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 JULIA MAGNASCO DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 DANIEL MALONEY DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 JUSTIN MERTZ DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 JACK MILLER DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 MELISSA NELSEN DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 LAURA ORR DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 CORRIE PRUNUSKE DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 SHANTANU SINGH DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 ANNALIESE SCHAEFER DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 JEREMY TARDY DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 ASHLEY WROBLEWSKI DIRECTOR 0.50 X 0 0 0 JEFF FRANK EXECUTIVE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR 40.00 X 111454 0 30065 DANIEL GRAMBOW PART YEAR MANAGING DIR 40.00 X 111612 0 29459 KATE SCHMITT DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION 40.00 X 76814 0 29459 299880 0 88983 2 0 0 0 MUELLER COMMUNICATIONS LLC 108 E PLEASANT ST MILWAUKEE WI 53212 MARKETING CONSULTING 113666 1 585541 105281 32889 1719816 950 2443527 TICKET SALES 711110 819203 819203 ACADEMY INCOME 611600 582018 582018 SCHOOL GROUPS 611600 400461 400461 THEATER IN EDUCATION 611600 123226 123226 1924908 79687 79687 240 240 594016 94408 499608 499608 499608 59728 105281 48755 10973 10973 41809 15707 26102 26102 OTHER REVENUE 900099 15438 15438 15438 5000483 1966448 0 590508 388933 270081 71063 47789 1984664 1403691 330870 250103 338937 212041 90959 35937 228477 167312 36098 25067 18335 18335 156257 97755 41934 16568 463347 421645 23167 18535 41102 32647 4302 4153 95282 52898 22691 19693 129302 129302 751144 667871 32028 51245 60342 59655 429 258 8555 4659 2463 1433 18964 18964 187383 117228 50287 19868 25077 13792 8948 2337 BAD DEBT EXPENSE 678818 678818 ADMINISTRATIVE 149895 93775 40227 15893 ARTISTIC FEES 136550 136471 79 PRODUCTION EXPENSE 86881 86881 174691 154417 6383 13891 6122936 4122121 1477966 522849 363679 150539 27851 32213 878723 370634 1826 72762 25337 36795 41200 135395 2288796 1715304 647745 573492 2911057 2598156 98776 81976 946716 784151 5942910 4836113 243659 225579 392603 431945 150000 350000 913181 1001371 1699443 2008895 X 2847766 1113686 1395701 1713532 4243467 2827218 5942910 4836113 -1122453 -293796 0 X 0 1 X 1 0 X 4003625 4064200 2563361 3505455 2443527 16580168 503200 965245 1529645 1690588 1966717 6655395 4506825 5029445 4093006 5196043 4410244 23235563 313356 454161 174350 193777 499178 1634822 0 313356 454161 174350 193777 499178 1634822 21600741 42061 71140 163753 113364 79927 470245 42061 71140 163753 113364 79927 470245 9910 7606 16447 8936 15438 58337 4558796 5108191 4273206 5318343 4505609 23764145 0.90900 0.92170 0.01980 0.01760 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 1602049 133745 253050 1482744 770430 1012475 102711 283567 1602049 721002 82558 33130 770430 855604 -100727 33875 721002 741688 145086 31170 855604 0.52000 0.48000 0 0 585974 202469 383505 1221431 1114670 106761 481391 398165 83226 573492 SECURITY DEPOSIT 27935 ROU ASSET 756216 784151 OPERATING LEASE LIABILITY 780786 FINANCE LEASE LIABILITY 20585 RECOVERABLE GRANT 200000 1001371 X 4706687 -293796 -293796 5000483 0 5000483 6122936 0 6122936 0 6122936 PART V, LINE 4: THE BOARD-DESIGNATED 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. THE PERMANENT ENDOWMENT IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATE IN FIRST STAGE'S ADVANCED THEATER TRAINING PROGRAMS. 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, 2025, 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 165009 105281 59728 36983 600 11172 165009 105281 59728 36983 600 11172 48755 10973 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 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 MILWAUKEE YOUTH ARTS CENTER INC K 320280 AMOUNT BILLED MILWAUKEE YOUTH ARTS CENTER INC E 200000 ACTUAL INCURRED