Noveltease Theatre
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Noveltease Theatre pays homage to literary burlesque of the late 19th century by combining theatrical adaptations of classic texts with contemporary striptease. Our intention is not to mock, but to productively muddle the "highbrow" art of literature with the "lowbrow" art of burlesque through embodied storytelling. Noveltease Theatre's mission is to create community through storytelling by reviving the historical artform of literary burlesque. We stage unique adaptations of classic works of theatre and literature in order to reclaim and rework the canon that enlivens and transforms classic works for contemporary audiences. We envision a world that celebrates the beauty of the written word and the grace of bodies in motion. Through fanciful adaptations of classic literature that infuse text with dance, we hope to create a space in which everyone can see themselves represented in classic literature
- Income
- $117,875
- Spending
- $71,046
- Reserves
- 12.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 76%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 12.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 40% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 (1)
- $64,310 spent. Noveltease Theatre's mission is to create community through storytelling by reviving the historical artform of literary burlesque. We stage unique adaptations of classic works of theatre and literature in order to reclaim and rework the canon from a sex-positive, queer, feminist, and anti-racist standpoint that enlivens and transforms classic works for contemporary audiences. Our work revives the artform of literary burlesque, blending it with contemporary burlesque and theatrical techniques, through our artistic season of two mainstage theatrical productions created and performed by our core artistic company, as well as a mix of 3-4 cabaret productions and educational offerings including workshops and community oriented peer review events. Our mainstage productions are adaptations of literature that use burlesque and dance as part of the storytelling methodology. Through this method - along with casting practices that deliberately racebend and genderbend characters - we reclaim and rework the canon from a sex-positive, queer, feminist, and anti-racist standpoint that enlivens and transforms classic works for contemporary audiences. Guided by the belief that a creative community is made stronger by the individual talents of trusted collaborators, we generate work with our artistic company's strengths in mind, and grow our community through collaboration with various guest artists. We envision a world that celebrates the beauty of the written word and the grace of bodies in motion. Our cabaret productions emphasize this vision by pairing poetry with dance and live music, featuring a wide range of performers both from within and outside of our artistic company. In addition, we offer a free community peer review space for solo artists (especially those in burlesque and cabaret) to receive constructive critique from expert peers on works in progress. This program is free, and is paired with tuition-based dance and theater workshops led by guest artists and members of our artistic company. Throughout our work, we believe that literature connects individuals from generation to generation. The stories that are written down and passed on add to the knowledge and understanding of those who have come before. Theatre as a discipline embodies these stories, giving them new life and form. Through this embodiment audiences can witness and empathize with the characters and the circumstances brought to life. Burlesque as an artform reveals what is hidden and transforms the mundane into something new, bending and breaking social norms in order to showcase truth and beauty.. Combining the disciplines of literary analysis, theatrical form, and burlesque technique to create unique, engaging, transformative works that feel real and approachable to new audiences. In doing so, Noveltease Theatre builds bridges between past and present, nurtures empathy, and encourages self-reflections; fostering community through storytelling.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 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 December 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 March 2023.
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.