Theatre Under the Stars Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TUTS is dedicated to enriching life through the experience of quality musical theatre, the development of future artists, and the creation of new works. Through innovative education and community outreach initiatives, TUTS positively impacts lives beyond the stage.
- Income
- $18.8 million
- Spending
- $19.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 77%
- Reserves
- -3.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 64%
- Employees
- 478
- Volunteers
- 75
- Highest pay
- $283,147, executive 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: 36 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
2 of 20It owes 84% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 11% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1576% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 25 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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2552 of 52 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
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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)
- $14.1 million spent. The 2024 - 2025 Theatre Under The Stars Season brought more than 145,500 guests to the Hobby Center, with 145,509 tickets sold across 125 performances, reaffirming TUTS' role as Houston's home for musical theatre. The season featured an exciting mix of Broadway hits and acclaimed new productions, opening with the Tony Award-winning Dear Evan Hansen, followed by Little Shop of Horrors. The holidays were anchored by Disney's Frozen, alongside the return of the fan-favorite The Ugly Xmas Sweater Musical. The spring continued with Mean Girls, a new co-production of Waitress in partnership with Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre, and concluded with the exuberant, community-centered In the Heights.
- $971,384 spent. Education and community outreach initiatives: Humphreys School of Musical Theatre is committed to providing the Houston area with the best theatrical training and performing arts education. It is the goal of HSMT to give all students who walk through its doors a greater understanding of musical theatre and of themselves equipping young people with the tools they need to be successful in whatever they choose to do in life. Founded in 1996, The River provides affordable, accessible arts education to individuals with disabilities and their siblings. After merging with TUTS in 2010, The River's classes and opportunities expanded to include programming for young adults. This inclusive performance troupe has performed at many notable events across the city.
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 October 13, 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 1969.
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 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.