Lower Depth Theatre Ensemble
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
Theatre utilizing artists of Color.
- Income
- $86,103
- Spending
- $105,163
- Reserves
- -6.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 63%
- Highest pay
- $601, board member
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 0 out of 100. Higher than 0% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 682% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 22% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 (3)
- $17,878 spent. The House that Will Not Stand by Marcus Gardley was showcased through a staged reading in collaboration with A Noise Within as part of their Noise Now initiative. This event took place on March 22 and 23 2025 featuring a talented 15-member team including Bernadette Speakes Yvonne Huff Lee Veralyn Jones Mark Doerr June Carryl Joy De Michelle Cherish Monique Duke Nadege August Tori Danner Elliyah M. Banks Gregg T. Daniel Lindsay LJ Jenkins Rachel Maye Aronoff Drina Durazo and for A Noise Within Alison Rodriguez. The play delves into themes of identity legacy and the intricate dynamics within families. Set in New Orleans it follows a family of women as they navigate love power and the tension between personal desires and societal expectations. The house in the story serves as a powerful metaphor for the emotional and historical burdens carried by the characters adding depth and symbolism to the narrative. Audience members totalled 51.
- $87,285 spent. The Chester Higgensworth Detective Series Podcast : August 2024 - May 2025 A 20 member team included: Drina Durazo L. Stephanie Tait Berna,dette Speakes Peppur Chambers Gregg T. Daniel Yvonne Huff Lee Veralyn Jones Jason Delane Patricia Belcher Janellen Steinenger Cristina Frias DeLanna Studi Ahkei Togun Cherish Monique Duke Sydney Mason Sean Walton ,Sabina Varela Bernard Addison Lindsay LJ Jenkins Jamil Jones. Summary: A comedy-drama podcast series with a cause The Chester Higgensworth Detective Series follows an unorthodox modern-day vigilante and self-styled property bounty hunter on a mission to reclaim stolen landand stolen legaciesone plot at a time. Set against the backdrop of contemporary Black resistance and historical injustice the series brings together the germaphobic Chester the no-nonsense strategist Patricia Livingston savvy tech-whiz Emmy Silver and her resourceful currently incarcerated brother Pooky as they confront shady developers slippery
- con artists and the lingering ghosts of generational theft. Whether unraveling a land-grab poker scheme chasing down kidnappers or exposing grave robbers this unlikely crew is determined to set things right-with heart humor and just a hint of chaos. Written by Peppur Chambers and commissioned by Lower Depth Theatre each one-act audio episode blends satire suspense and social commentary in a genre-bending experience. With a colorful rotating cast of characters and a mysterious voice pulling strings behind the scenes Chesters crusade is as unpredictable as it is necessary. Come for the laughs. Stay for the land back. The eposides were broadcast online.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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 November 6, 2026.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 2022.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 November 4, 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.