A Noise Within
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
A Noise Within produces classic theatre as an essential means to enrich our community by embracing universal human experiences, expanding personal awareness and challenging individual perspectives.
- Income
- $5.1 million
- Spending
- $4.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 83%
- Reserves
- 7.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 54%
- Employees
- 204
- Volunteers
- 172
- Highest pay
- $182,923, co-artistic director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 9% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 22% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1583% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2521 of 23 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
0 of 7Reports no 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 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)
- $2.4 million spent. A Noise Within (ANW) is dedicated to engaging adult and student audiences throughout Southern California with classic theatre while serving as a creative home for its ensemble of resident artists. Each season, ANW produces more than 180 performances across six classical works, reaching approximately 51,000 audience members, including 18,000 students and educators. ANW has earned numerous honors from theatre, arts, and business organizations in recognition of its artistic excellence, innovative leadership, and meaningful contributions to the cultural and civic vitality of Pasadena and the greater Los Angeles region. Reflecting this legacy, the Los Angeles Times has described ANW as "an oasis for those who love classic theatre."
- $1.2 million spent. In a typical season, ANW's Education Program serves approximately 18,000 students and educators from nearly 200 schools across more than 40 school districts. The Education Program is made up of a carefully developed range of impactful theatre-based learning experiences, including:a. Student Matinees & Evening PerformancesWeekday matinees for student audiences are performed by the same professional cast seen in evening productions. Each experience includes a pre-show orientation, a full-length performance, and a post-show conversation with the artists, facilitated by ANW's Director of Education. Based on need and availability, participating schools may receive flexible scholarships that support ticket costs, transportation, and/or program fees.b. Study GuidesANW provides free, in-depth study guides to educators through its website. These resources help teachers animate classic texts and plays in the classroom by combining thematic and contextual analysis with activities tied to music, visual arts, and history, all aligned with California State standards.c. Professional DevelopmentEach year, ANW offers two no-cost professional development opportunities for educators. The late-summer Educator Extravaganza introduces teachers to the upcoming season and features workshops led by professional teaching artists. A second seminar is held in the spring and typically focuses on ANW's annual Shakespeare production. d. Workshops & ResidenciesANW's teaching artists lead experiential workshops that pair interactive exercises with close exploration of a play's language and themes. Workshops are typically one-day intensives, while residencies often span eight weeks, with artists teaching one or two classes per week. Programs are customized to meet the specific needs of each school or classroom and may be delivered in person, virtually, or through hybrid models.e. Summer With ShakespeareSummer With Shakespeare is a five-week theatre camp for students ages 6-18, offering hands-on experience with professional actors and technicians. Participants deepen their understanding of Shakespeare's verse while engaging with a range of classic plays. The program encourages young artists to grow as both scholars and performers, strengthening acting and public speaking skills, building confidence, and providing meaningful exposure to theatre-making.f. Relaxed PerformancesANW's sensory-friendly Relaxed Performances are designed to welcome patrons with Autism and other social communication and sensory processing differences. These performances feature the same professional cast and artistic quality as standard productions, while incorporating adjusted lighting, sound, and a more flexible audience environment. ANW is committed to making live theatre accessible to all and has been invited to advise organizations such as the Natural History Museum, the California Science Center, and The Huntington Library and Gardens on best practices for creating sensory-friendly experiences.
- $1,318 spent. ANW's community-centered initiative, Noise Now, brings together readings, adaptations, multi-disciplinary performances, dance, visual art installations, and nontraditional theatre through partnerships with forward-thinking organizations across Los Angeles. These collaborations often focus on developing or presenting work that uplifts communities of color, including projects that reinterpret traditionally white or Western narratives through a BIPOC perspective, explore global mythologies, or highlight cultures that have been displaced or historically marginalized.Audience data shows that Noise Now attracts a more diverse group than ANW's mainstage subscriber season, with higher participation from people of color, younger audiences under 30, and individuals from lower-income backgrounds.
Source: Form 990 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 1993.
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.