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Area Stage Inc

EIN 65-0238519 · South Miami, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak30 out of 100GovernanceFair67 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.
  • 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

ASC aspires to provide extraordinary theatrical experiences to audiences across the world, to nurture the artistic talents and creative spirits of the next generation of theatre artists, and to make the in-person, collective experience of theatre accessible to everyone, including individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Income
$2.0 million
Spending
$2.5 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
-4.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 40%
Employees
11
Volunteers
150
Highest pay
$72,800, executive dir.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 30 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 285% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 27% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 67 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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

    7 of 7

    Has a 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 September 30, 2024, 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)
  1. $854,944 spent. ASC encompasses a vibrant conservatory program that allows artists to help shape the next generation of theatre-makers by offering professional-level training. The program offers 68 productions a year, private and group classes, and many performance opportunities at outreach and community events. To date, ASC has produced over 185 productions by and for young theatre artists, many of whom have gone on to professional careers in theatre. Over 100 students from economically challenged families receive $100,000 worth of full or partial scholarships each year. This program is crucial to developing a local legacy of professional-level theatre artists who will continue to promote a standard of excellence in the performing arts in Miami, as well as become the educators of tomorrow.
  2. $748,076 spent. ASC is an award-winning professional theatre organization founded on the principles of artistic innovation, education and inclusion. In the nearly 35 years since its inception, the diverse company has presented a mix of classical and contemporary plays and original new works. ASCs artistic excellence and singular status has been reflected in the notable honors received by our productions, as well as the high-profile media attention our company has. Earning over sixty nominations and wins at the Carbonell Awards, the company has garnered national recognition on Travel & Leisure magazine, WLRN, CNN, CNN International, Univision, Telemundo, and on ABCs Nightline with Ted Koppel as the only theatre company ever featured on the program, and has received Miami New Times Best Theatre Company (1992, 1993, 1997, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023).
  3. $509,645 spent. THE INCLUSION THEATRE PROJECT IS A ONE OF A KIND PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES ARTS TRAINING WITHIN THE MUSICAL THEATRE MEDIUM TO STUDENTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL AND INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES. THE PROGRAM, PIONEERED BY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MARIA BANDA-RODAZ IN 2014, IS ROOTED IN ASC'S BELIEF THAT TRAINING IN THE PERFORMING ARTS CAN HELP THESE STUDENTS DEVELOP ESSENTIAL LIFE SKILLS AND SHOULD BE ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL. THE PROGRAM OFFERS 2-3 PRODUCTIONS A YEAR, PRIVATE AND GROUP CLASSES, AND MANY PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES AT OUTREACH AND COMMUNITY EVENTS. ITP'S INNOVATIVE, COMPREHENSIVE CURRICULUM WAS DEVELOPED BY ASC CONSERVATORY FOUNDERS WITH THE HELP OF SPECIAL EDUCATION EXPERT CONSULTANTS. AS ATTESTED TO BY A GROWING BODY OF FORMAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATING ARTS EDUCATION WITH GAINS IN EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE, WE HAVE OBSERVED ITS POWER FIRSTHAND IN OUR ITP STUDENTS AS THEY GAIN SKILLS, CONFIDENCE, AND THE CAPACITY FOR SELF-EXPRESSION. THE PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES ASSOCIATED WITH ITP CLASSES ALSO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL SENSE OF PURPOSE AND ENGAGEMENT TO OUR STUDENTS WHILE ALSO FOSTERING INCREASED UNDERSTANDING IN THEIR AUDIENCES, PAVING THE WAY FOR A MORE INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY OVERALL

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

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

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

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since May 1991.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.