The American Stage Company Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Mission: Reinforce the power of live theater with high quality productions of compelling plays that excite and challenge a diverse audience. Passionate about the telling of meaningful stories that inspire audiences to lean forward and engage.
- Income
- $2.4 million
- Spending
- $3.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 73%
- Reserves
- -0.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 48%
- Employees
- 75
- Volunteers
- 136
- Highest pay
- $142,158, producing artistic director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 35 out of 100.
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 8% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 53% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 42% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1573% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2514 of 14 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 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 (2)
- $2.4 million spent. Theatre Programming: American Stages 24-25 Season saw steady growth, however has still not reached pre pandemic attendance or donations. The Mainstage is American Stages core programming. We produced four Mainstage plays during our 24-25 season. These four plays were attended by 7,595 patrons. 24-25 also continued our American Stage in the Park, a more than 30 year old community tradition. This five week event was held at Demens Landing Park in downtown St. Petersburg drew 10,855 patrons. In order to make theatre accessible to all, both our Mainstage and Park shows had significant ticket discounts for seniors, students and active duty military, with some eligible for free tickets.
- $308,751 spent. Education/Outreach: American Stage Education inspires intellectual, social, and emotional growth through inclusive, accessible arts experiences rooted in the transformative power of storytelling. As part of our year-round programming, our Drama School serves students of all ages through classes in acting, musical theatre, and improv, where 146 participants built confidence, sparked imagination, and brought stories to life in a supportive, community-centered environment. We also offer a dynamic Summer Camp experience, where 330 young artists explored their creative voices through hands-on theatre training, from musical performance to puppetry and playwriting, culminating in joyful final sharings for families and friends. For over a generation, we have extended our reach into the community through our School Tour , bringing culturally relevant live theatre directly into local elementary schools. This year, 9,200 K5 students and families experienced the magic of live performance, many for the very first time. In addition, our Write On! program brings playwriting residencies into schools, where 150 students collaborated to create and develop their own original plays, discovering the power of their voices through storytelling. We also welcome students into our theatre through our Student Matinee program, where 250 middle and high school students experienced Mainstage productions, enriched by post-show talkbacks and workshops led by our teaching artists. Together, these programs reflect a deep and ongoing investment in our community, expanding access to the arts, nurturing creativity, and empowering the next generation of storytellers.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 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 August 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 August 1978.
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.