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Playwrights Preview Productions Ltd

EIN 13-3230452 · New York, NY

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceGood74 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

URBAN STAGES WAS FOUNDED IN 1984 BY FRANCES HILL. IN 1986 URBAN STAGES BEGAN PLAY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS TO NURTURE PLAYWRIGHTS AND PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ARTISTIC GROWTH.

Income
$926,435
Spending
$856,223
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
2.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 46%
Employees
12
Volunteers
11

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 71 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 18% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 45% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 22 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 74 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (7)
  1. $180,535 spent. EACH YEAR, URBAN STAGES PRODUCES APPROXIMATELY THREE FULL SCALE PRODUCTIONS AT OUR THEATRE. OUR COMPANY IS FOCUSED ON HIGHLIGHTING ARTISTS FROM CULTURALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DIVERSE BACKROUNDS. WE ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO UP AND COMING ARTISTS. THIS YEAR WE PRODUCED FULL SCALE SHOW PEOPLE OF THE BOOK,THE AUDIT, AND THE AMERICAN DREAM. DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON WE PRODUCED THE WINTER RYTHMS MUSICAL SERIES WITH 100 MUSICAL ARTISTS.
  2. $272,200 spent. OUR OUTREACH PROGRAM BEGAN WITH QUEENS LIBRARY IN 1991 AND NOW SERVES ALL FIVE BOROUGHS OF NEW YOK CITY, BRINGING OVER 1,000 PROGRAMS ANNUALLY TO LIBRARIES AND SCHOOLS. WE OFFER A SELECTION OF 66 DIFFERENT PROGRAMS AND WORKSHOPS, FEATURING MUSIC, DANCE, POETRY, HISTORICAL BIOGRAPHIES AND MUCH MORE. THIS YEAR WE PRESENTED THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS: THE LEGACY OF JUNE THIRTEENTH, KOREAN STORYTELLING, ART OF MIME, BRAINY BABIES, AND MANY MORE.
  3. $13,495 spent. THE URBAN STAGES SUMMER THEATRE CAMP RUNS FOR FIVE WEEKS. STUDENTS FROM 6th TO 8th GRADES ATTEND CLASSES IN ACTING, STORY TELLING IMPROVISATION, WRITING, DANCE, SINGING AND STAGE PRODUCTION. CLASSES RUN FROM 9:30AM TO 5:30PM FIVE DAYS A WEEK. THE STUDENTS SHOWCASE THE SKILLS THEY HAVE LEARNED IN A CULMINATING PERFORMANCE AT THE URBAN STAGES THEATRE. THE PLAY IS CONCEIVED, WRITTEN, DESIGNED ACTED, DANCED AND SUNG BY ALL THE STUDENTS, WHO WORK VERY HARD TO BRING THEIR VISION TO LIFE. THIS YEAR OUR SUMMER CAMP WAS 2 WEEKS ONLY AND WE OFFERED FREE TUITION TO OUR CAMPERS.
  4. $212,116 spent. URBAN STAGES THEATRE IS LOCATED AT 259 WEST 30th STREET IN MANHATTAN. THE THEATRE IS FULLY HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE. FACILITIES INCLUDE A BOX OFFICE, RECENTLY RENOVATED LOBBY, OFFICE SPACE, REHEARSAL ROOMS, SHOP AND LARGE DRESSING ROOMS. THE STAGE IS 20X22 FOOT PROSCENIUM, WITH SEATING FOR 65 PATRONS. URBAN STAGES RENTS THIS FACILITY. (CONT)
  5. (CONT) FOR $123,000 PER YEAR. AS PART OF OUR MISSION TO TO SUPPORT EMERGING THEATRE ARTISTS, URBAN STAGES RENTS OUT THE THEATRE SPACE AT A DISCOUNTED RATE TO TO GUEST THEATRE COMPANIES, MAKING IT AFFORDABLE TO SMALLER OFF-BROADWAY PRODUCTION COMPANIES.
  6. URBAN STAGES THEATRE IS LOCATED AT 259 WEST 30th STREET 212116. 0. 62533.
  7. (CONT) FOR $123,000 PER YEAR. AS PART OF OUR MISSION TO 0. 0. 0.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since November 1984.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.