TEATRO EXPERIMENTAL YERBABRUJA INC

What TEATRO EXPERIMENTAL YERBABRUJA INC does

Teatro Experimental Yerbabruja Inc. is a Long Island-based nonprofit arts organization founded in 2004 by Puerto Rican artist and executive-artistic director Margarita Espada. It operates the Second Avenue Firehouse Gallery and Performance Space in Bay Shore, New York—a historic building on the National Register of Historic Places—and serves BIPOC communities across Central Islip, Brentwood, and North Bay Shore. Its core offerings include the Firehouse Gallery exhibition program, interdisciplinary experimental theater rooted in Theater of the Oppressed methodology, an Arts in Education Spanish-theater program for new-immigrant youth delivered via the Brentwood School District, a Public Arts & Murals initiative, advocacy collaborations, classes/workshops, community socials, and the annual Long Island Puerto Rican Hispanic Parade.

Underlying infrastructure is primarily physical and creative rather than technology-driven: a dance floor, art studio, multimedia studio, and sound equipment support in-house productions, with public-facing channels limited to a Wix-hosted website, Facebook, and Instagram. There is no AI, proprietary software, or app product disclosed.

The organization is funded through a nonprofit revenue mix of approximately 47% from grants and individual donations combined, with the balance from corporate sponsorships, vendor/event fees, and program income. It does not sell products or charge disclosed fees; programs are accessed by donation, appointment, or through partner schools and agencies. Its core customer segments are BIPOC community members, Latinx and Black artists seeking performance/exhibition space, new-immigrant youth, and the broader Long Island community, with institutional partners including Bay Shore and Brentwood school districts, Suffolk County agencies, and multiple arts and advocacy coalitions.

Name

TEATRO EXPERIMENTAL YERBABRUJA INC

Legal name

Teatro Experimental Yerbabruja Inc.

Website

https://teatroyerbabruja.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Teatro Experimental Yerbabruja Inc. is a Long Island nonprofit arts center operating the historic Second Avenue Firehouse Gallery in Bay Shore, NY, serving BIPOC communities across Central Islip, Brentwood, and North Bay Shore through theater, gallery programming, arts education, public murals, and community events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Performing Arts

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Other Performing Arts Companies (711190)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music) (BPAGAHAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Regional & Repertory Theatre Companies (MPAGABAB), Performing Arts & Cultural Event Venues (Theaters, Museums) (THAHAAAG), Community Theatre & Storytelling Festivals (MPAGAEAI)

Keywords

• Community arts center
• Performing arts education
• Cultural arts programming
• Multicultural theater productions
• Community mural projects

Headquarters

HQ city

Bay Shore

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Grants: Grants from government agencies and foundations make up approximately 47% of the organizational budget. Funding sources include Suffolk County Department of Economic Development and Planning.
2. Individual Donations: Personal donations from community members and supporters. Individual donors and sponsors are a key funding source, comprising approximately 47% of budget when combined with grants.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Support from corporate sponsors in the local community.
4. Vendor and Event Revenue: Revenue from vendor registrations, fundraising events, and community programming including art expos, classes, and workshops.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Teatro Experimental Yerbabruja Inc. is a nonprofit BIPOC arts organization that operates the Firehouse Gallery and Performance Space in Bay Shore, NY, producing multidisciplinary experimental theater, art exhibitions, workshops, public arts/murals, arts-in-education programs for immigrant youth, advocacy initiatives, and community events including the annual Long Island Puerto Rican Hispanic Parade. It serves as an exhibition, performance, and education venue led by a collective of Afro Latinx artists using Theater of the Oppressed methodology.

Product overview

Teatro Experimental Yerbabruja Inc. operates a multi-faceted arts organization consisting of several interconnected programs and spaces. The core offering is the Firehouse Gallery, a cultural venue in Bay Shore's historic Second Avenue Firehouse that hosts art exhibitions, musical performances, workshops, and readings featuring emerging and established artists. The organization delivers interdisciplinary theater productions through its main venue and third-party locations, using community-based and professional approaches. Its Arts in Education program provides after-school Spanish theater instruction for immigrant youth, while Public Arts & Murals initiatives drive community revitalization. Additional programming includes advocacy efforts, classes/workshops, Friday Socials community events, and the annual Long Island Puerto Rican Hispanic Parade. These offerings work together to advance the organization's mission of using arts as a tool for social change while serving BIPOC communities on Long Island.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Firehouse Gallery An art gallery and performance space that hosts rotating exhibitions featuring multicultural, intergenerational and interdisciplinary artists. It provides creative and performing space including a dance floor, art studio, multimedia studio and sound equipment, and is open by appointment.
• Interdisciplinary Performance Theater Experimental theater combining community-based work using Theater of the Oppressed with professional multidisciplinary productions that include visual and sound narratives, video, music, and digital design. Performed by a collective of multicultural and intergenerational artists.
• Arts in Education After-school Spanish theater program for new immigrant youth in the Brentwood school district, teaching theater and literature while producing and staging stories by Latin American theater writers. Delivered in schools, social service agencies, and jails.
• Public Arts & Murals Community revitalization through public art projects including the Art Mural Project and Public Banners Project, aiming to activate imagination and encourage civic engagement throughout Bay Shore and Long Island communities.
• Advocacy Initiatives Advocacy initiatives working with groups like Long Island Coalition, NYS Advisory Group, Suffolk County Legislature, and LILTA (Long Island Latino Teachers Association) to promote inclusive and equitable arts in communities and schools.
• Classes and Workshops Various educational offerings at the Firehouse Gallery including Drawing/Painting Classes, Movement Workshop for Women, DJ/Music Production Workshops, and Percussion Classes, open to community participants.
• Friday Socials Community gatherings including Open Mic and Paint & Sip nights that create space for dialogue about personal and social experiences.
• Vendor Opportunities Platform for local and international artists to organize and host their own events, supporting emerging and established artists with revenue from vendor registrations.
• Long Island Puerto Rican Hispanic Parade Annual parade tradition in Brentwood community since 1963, featuring approximately 3,000 participants with typical dances and floats, attracting over 50,000 audience members each year.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves BIPOC communities across Central Islip, Brentwood, and North Bay Shore
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 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

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• South Shore Restoration Group InccoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2000South Shore Restoration Group Inc adopted the derelict Second Avenue Firehouse building in 1998 and completed its restoration in 2000, transforming it into a unique cultural venue. The building serves as home to Teatro Yerbabruja.
• Suffolk County Department of Economic Development and PlanningcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSuffolk County Department of Economic Development and Planning is providing support for the ongoing renovations of the Firehouse Gallery, helping to breathe new life into the space and enable the organization to welcome more community members.
• Long Island CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTeatro Yerbabruja participates in advocacy collaborations with the Long Island Coalition as part of their advocacy efforts for arts and social justice.
• NYS Advisory GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with NYS Advisory Group on advocacy initiatives to work towards sustainable solutions for brighter and more just communities.
• Suffolk County LegislatureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTeatro Yerbabruja participates in advocacy conversations with Suffolk County Legislature to promote cultural and artistic diversity in Long Island.
• LILTA (Long Island Latino Teachers Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with LILTA on advocacy groups and conversations to ensure arts and cultural representation in Long Island communities.
• Bay Shore School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe space is made available for Bay Shore School District events and the organization delivers programs in local schools, including the after-school Arts in Education program.
• Local Not-for-Profit OrganizationsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Firehouse Gallery space is made available for local not-for-profit organizations to host events and programming.
• Brentwood School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Brentwood school district to provide after-school Spanish theater program for new immigrant youth, teaching theater and literature with Latin American theater writers.
• UNESCO International School for Latin-American and Caribbean TheaterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMargarita Espada is a member of this UNESCO-affiliated international theater organization.
• National Association for Latino Arts & CultureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMargarita Espada is a member of this national advocacy organization for Latino arts and culture.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Repertorio Español: NYC-based nonprofit Latino theater company producing Spanish-language plays and fostering Latino playwrights. Directly comparable as a Hispanic/Latino performing arts nonprofit serving a culturally specific audience with a mission-driven model.
• Teatro Vista: Chicago-based Latino theater company producing bilingual productions and serving as a cultural home for Latinx artists. Comparable as a nonprofit Latinx performing arts organization with mission-driven community programming.
• Su Teatro: Denver-based Chicano/Mexican-American theater and arts organization producing theater, dance, and visual arts rooted in social justice. Comparable in using theater for social change and serving a culturally specific community.
• The Clemente Center: NYC-based nonprofit arts and cultural center serving BIPOC and immigrant communities with gallery, performance, and education programs. Directly comparable as a BIPOC-focused arts center with gallery, performance space, and community programming.
• INTAR Theatre: NYC-based nonprofit Latino theater company developing new works by Latinx playwrights. Comparable as a Latino performing arts nonprofit producing experimental and contemporary works with a focus on Latinx voices.
• La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club: NYC-based nonprofit experimental theater presenting multidisciplinary and multicultural work. Comparable in experimental/multidisciplinary theater approach, community-focused mission, and small nonprofit operating model.
• Pregones Theater: Bronx-based Puerto Rican/Latino theater company producing bilingual productions and hosting community programming. Comparable in mission, community focus on Puerto Rican/BIPOC audiences, and nonprofit arts programming model.
• Theater of the Oppressed NYC: NYC-based nonprofit using Theater of the Oppressed methodology for social change and community organizing. Directly comparable methodology (Theater of the Oppressed), mission, and nonprofit arts model serving marginalized communities.

Regional players

• Heckscher Museum of Art: Long Island-based art museum offering exhibitions and community programming. Comparable as a Long Island arts institution, though focused on visual art rather than theater, and substantially larger and more established.

Others

• National Association for Latino Arts and Cultures (NALAC): National advocacy and capacity-building organization for Latino arts and culture. Comparable as a peer network and advocacy partner for Latino-serving arts organizations, though it functions as a membership/grant-making body rather than a producing company.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/yerbabrujat
• Instagraminstagram.com/teatro.yerbabruja
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/teatro-experimental-yerbabruja-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 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 TEATRO EXPERIMENTAL YERBABRUJA INC