People’s Theatre Project

What People’s Theatre Project does

The People's Theatre (formerly People's Theatre Project) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit performing arts organization founded in 2009 by Mino Lora and Bob Braswell, headquartered in Washington Heights, Manhattan, with operations centered on immigrant and Latine communities in Upper Manhattan and the Bronx. The organization's core products include the PTP Company ensemble productions, the six-year People's Theatre Academy for Theatre, Leadership & Advocacy (serving middle and high school students), Pre-Academy programming for K-5 students, and School & Community Partnerships reaching approximately 900 K-12 students across 16-18 schools through 15 weekly teaching sessions. The artistic engine is the proprietary PTP Devising Methodology, an eight-stage collaborative process that produces multilingual, ensemble-based "living document" theatrical works drawn from immigrant artists' lived experiences.

The business model is a hybrid of earned revenue (ticketed productions at $25 general admission and $10 for students/seniors) and contributed revenue (individual donations, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and government funding). All youth education programs are free to participants via scholarships; the Academy is funded primarily through foundation grants rather than tuition. The capital structure is anchored by a $40 million campaign for Centro Cultural Inmigrante, a 19,000+ sq ft performing arts center in Inwood opening September 2026, against which more than $38 million has been raised from a coalition that includes the Miranda Family Fund, Mellon Foundation, Ford Foundation, Stavros Niarchos Foundation, and government partners (NYC DCLA, NYSCA, Empire State Development). The distribution model spans a touring partner-venue circuit (Pregones/PRTT, The Whitney Museum, New York Theatre Workshop, Queens Museum) plus school-based delivery and community events.

As Manhattan's largest performing arts organization north of Harlem, the organization has served over 11,000 people since its founding under the current executive leadership, with the upcoming venue projected to expand annual service to 28,000+ audience members and 300+ artists. The audience and community base is geographically concentrated in Washington Heights and Inwood, with the Diamond trilogy having toured across 32 NYC cultural institutions. Revenue concentration risk is meaningful given the dependency on a relatively small number of major foundation donors and government funders, and the organization is preparing to absorb significant fixed costs once the new venue becomes operational.

Name

People’s Theatre Project

Legal name

The People's Theatre

Website

https://thepeoplestheatre.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The People's Theatre is a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 2009 that produces multilingual devised theatre with immigrant artists and runs youth leadership programs serving approximately 900 K-12 students across 16-18 schools in Upper Manhattan, with K-12 Academy programs free to participants. Ticket revenue, donations, and foundation grants fund operations, with a new 19,000+ sq ft venue opening in 2026.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Performing Arts & Youth Theatre Education

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Fine Arts Schools (61161), Performing Arts Companies (7111)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Regional & Repertory Theatre Companies (MPAGABAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Theater & Drama Education (Acting, Improvisation, Musical Theater) (EDAMAAAG), Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music) (BPAGAHAB)

Keywords

• Community theatre productions
• Youth arts education
• Devised theatre methodology
• Immigrant arts programming
• Multicultural performing arts

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from paid admissions to theatrical productions and performances. Ticketed events include mainstage productions, staged readings, and youth theatre festival performances.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The organization is a 501(c)3 nonpartisan nonprofit relying heavily on individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and grants from foundations and government entities. Donation page actively solicits contributions. Capital campaign raised $38M of $40M goal.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Event and program sponsorships from strategic partners as a way for companies to impact the lives of Northern Manhattan's young people. Sponsorship prospectus page exists for corporate support.
4. Education Program Fees: Academy programs (Pre-Academy, Academy for Theatre, Leadership & Advocacy, School Partnerships) are scholarship-based; Pre-Academy and Academy are free to participants. Revenue model centers on grant funding rather than participant fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The People's Theatre is a 501(c)3 nonprofit community theatre organization that produces multilingual, ensemble-based devised theatre works centering immigrant voices and delivers youth arts education programs (Academy, Pre-Academy, school partnerships) for communities in Upper Manhattan. Core offerings include PTP Company productions, a multi-year Academy for Theatre, Leadership & Advocacy for grades 6-12, a Pre-Academy for grades K-5, in-school theatre curricula across 16-18 schools serving ~900 K-12 students, advocacy programs, and community workshops. Ticketed performances ($25 general, $10 student/senior) and contributed revenue (donations, grants, corporate sponsorships) fund operations.

Product overview

The People's Theatre is a community theatre and arts organization offering a multi-faceted portfolio of programmes centered around theatre-making for and with immigrant communities. Core offerings include PTP Company Productions (devised theatre works created by immigrant artists), the People's Theatre Academy for Theatre, Leadership & Advocacy (a 6-year youth development programme), Pre-Academy (foundational skills for K-5), and School & Community Partnerships (in-school theatre curricula). Additional offerings include advocacy programmes, workshops & trainings, and the upcoming Centro Cultural Inmigrante—a 19,000+ sq ft performing arts center opening in 2026. The organization operates from Washington Heights and Inwood, Manhattan, serving immigrant and Latine communities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PTP Company Productions Professional ensemble-based devised theatre productions that center immigrant voices and experiences, created through the proprietary eight-stage PTP Devising Methodology with artists from countries including the Dominican Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Mexico, Greece, Iran, Nigeria, South Korea, and Uganda. Performed as ticketed events for general audiences, arts patrons, students, and seniors.
• People's Theatre Academy for Theatre, Leadership & Advocacy A rigorous multi-year theatre and social justice leadership programme for grades 6-12 students in Upper Manhattan, structured in 2-year segments over a 6-year arc. Approximately 24 middle school students join annually. Full-scholarship participation; tuition is free to families and funded by grants including the Pierre & Tana Matisse Foundation Arts Education Impact Grant.
• Pre-Academy Foundational theatre skills program for Young Artists in grades K-5, grouped by age, where students develop foundational theatre skills through story drama and devise ensemble-based theatre pieces celebrating their identities and communities. Scholarship-based; families are not responsible for payment. Operates at NoMAA Studios at United Palace Theater.
• School & Community Partnerships School-based theatre curricula partnership program providing student-centered, culturally-sustaining, and experiential devised theatre instruction across approximately 16-18 elementary, middle, and high schools in Upper Manhattan and the Bronx, reaching approximately 900 K-12 students annually through 15 weekly sessions. Delivered by teaching artists as a contracted school service.
• Community Workshops & Trainings Community workshops open to youth and adults of all backgrounds and abilities that provide an experience of the transformative power of theatre, culminating in sharings where participants showcase their work.

Quantifiable outcome

• 11,000+ people served since founding under current leadership
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

43 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• After School All-StarsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner collaborating on youth programming and after-school theatre activities.
• Alianza Dominicana Cultural Center / Catholic CharitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted PTP as resident company from 2015-2019 with access to two rehearsal studios and an event space. Key community anchor in Washington Heights.
• Boundless Theatre CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural partner for collaborative theatre programming.
• Brotherhood Sister SolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for youth programming and advocacy.
• Columbia University Irving Medical CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner providing wraparound services for Academy students.
• Drew UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner supporting educational programming.
• Fordham UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for Somos Más performance; academic partner.
• Latinx Arts Consortium of New York (LXNY)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPTP's Executive Artistic Director Mino Lora serves on the steering committee. Collective advocating for Latinx arts representation across NYC.
• MTF (Musical Theatre Factory)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating organization for Hot Mic Night event as part of the 2025-2026 Season.
• New York City CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural partner for theatre programming and performances.
• New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPTP is an active member of the NYIC Immigrant Leadership Council. Collaborative advocacy for immigrant rights and leadership.
• New York Theatre WorkshopcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresented Doña Mañana in 2021 as part of touring productions. Major Off-Broadway venue partner.
• Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance (NoMAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPTP Academy operates at NoMAA Studios at the United Palace Theater. NoMAA is a key arts ecosystem partner in Upper Manhattan.
• Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation (NMIC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing wraparound services for families and young artists.
• Pregones/Puerto Rican Traveling Theater (PRTT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresented The Diamond world premiere in 2023. Co-presenter with Pregones/PRTT; host venue and production partner.
• The Public TheaterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural partner and venue host for performances and programming.
• The Whitney Museum of American ArtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresented Doña Mañana in 2021. Major art museum venue partner amplifying immigrant stories to new audiences.
• United Way of New York CityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner supporting youth and family services.
• WE ACT for Environmental JusticeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity advocacy partner in Northern Manhattan.
• The YM&YWHA of Washington Heights & InwoodminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for youth and family programming.
• The Uptown Hub (NYP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner hub providing resources and services for young artists.
• NewYork-Presbyterian HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLongstanding healthcare partner; piloted the health-focused theatre program in 2009 that evolved into the Academy. Current corporate partner and supporter of Centro Cultural Inmigrante capital project. Co-sponsored Doña Mañana.
• NYC Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment funder providing public funds supporting productions and programming.
• NYC Council Member Carmen De La RosaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerElected official supporter and government partner for community initiatives.
• NYC Council Member Gale BrewerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerElected official supporter and government partner.
• NYC Council Member Shaun AbreuminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerElected official supporter and government partner.
• Manhattan Borough President Mark LevineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner and supporter of PTP programming.
• New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState arts funder supporting productions including Doña Mañana. Executive Artistic Director Mino Lora is an appointed member.
• Empire State Development / NYS AssemblyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment funding partner for capital and operational support.
• Con EdisonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner providing operational support.
• GuardianminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner supporting PTP operations.
• Lemle & WolffcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReal estate development company that is a joint venture partner in the Centro Cultural Inmigrante building development (LMXD, MSquared, Taconic). Kevin Thurman, VP and General Counsel at Lemle & Wolff, serves on PTP's Board.
• New York Public Library (NYPL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPTP will partner with NYPL on programming, research, and community engagement initiatives at Centro Cultural Inmigrante, amplifying cultural and educational impact of both organizations.
• Taconic PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReal estate development partner in the joint venture (with LMXD and MSquared) building the mixed-income, mixed-use building that will house Centro Cultural Inmigrante.
• MSquared (MSquared)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReal estate development partner in the joint venture (with LMXD and Taconic) building the mixed-income, mixed-use building that will house Centro Cultural Inmigrante.
• LMXDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReal estate development partner in the joint venture (with MSquared and Taconic) building the mixed-income, mixed-use building that will house Centro Cultural Inmigrante.
• WORKaccoreTechnology or IntegrationWoman- and immigrant-owned architecture firm designing Centro Cultural Inmigrante. Designed the 19,000+ SF flexible theatre space, lobby, studios, and 'rampatorium.'
• CharcoalbluecoreTechnology or IntegrationTheatre and acoustics consultant for Centro Cultural Inmigrante, ensuring professional-quality performance spaces.
• Shawmut Design & ConstructioncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction management partner for Centro Cultural Inmigrante.
• MilbankminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPro bono legal counsel for the capital project.
• Kramer LevinminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLegal counsel for the capital project.
• Envoie ProjectsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProject management partner for the Centro Cultural Inmigrante capital project.
• Indie SpaceminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAdvisory services for the capital project.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• LAByrinth Theater Company: NYC ensemble-based theatre company developing new work with diverse voices; comparable in its emphasis on original ensemble-driven productions and community-rooted ensemble, though broader in artistic mandate.
• Atlantic Theater Company: Off-Broadway NYC theatre producing original and developing new work; comparable as a mid-sized nonprofit producing theatre with an education-program arm, though with a less explicitly immigrant-community focus.
• New York Theatre Workshop: Established Off-Broadway theatre that has presented PTP's touring work (Doña Mañana, 2021). As a larger, broader-portfolio NYC theatre, it overlaps as both a programming partner and a broader incumbent in the same city with greater production budgets.
• The Public Theater: One of NYC's largest and most established nonprofit theatres with a mission of making theatre accessible, hosting PTP productions and sharing a civic-engagement and public-service ethos at much greater scale.

Direct peers

• INTAR Theatre: One of NYC's longest-running Latine theatre companies producing original work and developing emerging Latine playwrights, with a similar small-staff, mission-driven, ensemble-based model centered on underrepresented voices.
• National Black Theatre: Harlem-based Black theatre company producing original work, running community-rooted arts education, and operating its own cultural venue — directly parallel to PTP's model of combining original production, youth education, and a community-anchored venue.
• Pan Asian Repertory Theatre: NYC-based Asian American theatre company with a comparable operating profile — producing original work, running an education program, and developing new playwrights — and shares an overlapping demographic-mission orientation with PTP's immigrant-serving model.
• Pregones/Puerto Rican Traveling Theater (PRTT): Bronx-based Latine performing arts company that is also a direct touring partner of The People's Theatre (co-presented The Diamond world premiere in 2023). It produces original bilingual work rooted in Puerto Rican and Latine communities, making it the closest functional and demographic peer.
• Repertorio Español: NYC's premier Spanish-language theatre company producing original and adapted works for Latine audiences, with a strong education program. It directly overlaps PTP's multilingual Latine focus, touring model, and K–12 outreach.

Emerging players

• Theatre of the Oppressed NYC: Forum-theatre organization that explicitly spun out of PTP's earlier work in 2010–2016. It shares the devised-theatre methodology and social-justice orientation but operates as a smaller, more focused emergent peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TheatreUptown
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/theatreintheheights
• Facebookfacebook.com/peoplestheatreproject
• Instagraminstagram.com/peoplestheatreproject

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about People’s Theatre Project