2025-10-31T15:25:01-07:00 2025-05-31 990 2024-06-01 800948665 ELIZABETH YOUTH THEATER ENSEMBLE ELIZ 9082307044 PO Box 1325 Elizabeth NJ 07207 Theodore Perkins Executive Director 9082307044 2025-10-31 1 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z Theodore Prkins 229 East 5th Ave Roselle NJ 07203 274068 0 X https://elizabethyouththeater.org/ X 2015 NJ Established in 2015, The Elizabeth Youth Theater Ensemble's mission is centered upon strengthening the voices of young artists. Utilizing theater-arts based curricula, EYTE provides creative learning opportunities for the youth of city and global majorities, where they gain experiences that empower self and community. 4 0 0 25 0 0 573334 274068 0 0 0 0 2900 0 576234 274068 0 0 0 0 499743 0 0 0 0 72590 257719 572333 257719 3901 16349 3901 20250 0 0 3901 20250 EYTE is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing high-quality theater education and performance opportunities to the youth of Elizabeth, promoting artistic expression, personal growth, and community engagement. The Elizabeth Youth Theater Ensemble's mission is centered upon strengthening the voices of young artists. Utilizing theater-arts based curricula, EYTE provides creative learning opportunities for the youth of city and global majorities, where they gain experiences that empower self and community. 0 0 200000 200000 0 1. Walking the Beat (WTB): Arts-Based Youth Violence Prevention Program Purpose Achievement: Walking the Beat is EYTE's flagship program, utilizing theater arts to prevent youth violence and foster community engagement. The program serves youth ages 14-20 from high-risk environments in Union County, NJ, with a focus on Elizabeth. Through creative disciplines-such as devised theater, music production, VR filmmaking, oral history, and writing-youth develop critical life skills, process trauma, and engage in dialogue with law enforcement. In 2024, the program served 150+ youth and 30+ law enforcement officers. It also incorporated trauma-informed care, Juvenile Justice Jeopardy workshops, and mindfulness practices, demonstrating measurable improvements in self-efficacy and emotional regulation among participants. 10500 10500 0 Creative Aging Initiative: Seeds & Blooms Intergenerational Theater Purpose Achievement: Seeds & Blooms brings together youth and elders (ages 8-88) in Elizabeth, NJ, for storytelling, writing, and performance residencies. The program fosters intergenerational dialogue, combats ageism and elder isolation, and preserves cultural knowledge. Elders-in-Residence develop personal narratives, which culminate in community performances accompanied by jazz ensembles and portrait photography exhibitions. The program collaborates with the City of Elizabeth's Office on Aging and local senior centers, and was renewed in 2024 due to community demand. 47219 47219 0 Purpose Achievement: Beyond its flagship initiatives, EYTE produces a range of arts-based programs that include street outreach, youth mentorship, creative residencies, and public performances. These initiatives often intersect with social service agencies and include trauma-informed curriculum design and public safety workshops. In 2024, the organization partnered with local schools, courts, and social service agencies to reach youth with elevated risk factors. These programs reinforce EYTE's commitment to non-violence, social justice, and empowering communities through creative expression. 0 0 0 257719 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 11 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 NJ X Edward Cook 9082307044 PO Box 1325 Elizabeth NJ 07207 Theodore Perkins President 40 X X X 50700 0 0 Sabriya Williams Secretary 5 X 0 0 0 Edward Cook Assistant Director/Treasurer 5 X 0 0 0 50700 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7396 0 266672 0 0 274068 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7396 0 274068 0 0 0 X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 243568 243568 3901 3901 10000 10000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 250 250 257719 257719 0 0 3901 20250 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3901 20250 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 0 0 0 0 3901 20250 3901 20250 3901 20250 16349 0 0 0 0 0 X 0 0 1 1 X 48700 122078 407650 573334 266672 1418434 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 48700 122078 407650 573334 266672 1418434 0 1418434 0 0 0 0 0 0 1418434 0 1 1 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 11b A complete draft of Form 990 is prepared by the organization's bookkeeper in collaboration with the Executive Director and Development Director. Once the draft is complete, it is reviewed internally for accuracy and completeness. The final version of the Form 990 is then distributed electronically to all members of the governing board prior to filing. Board members are given the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback. The form is not filed until all feedback has been addressed and approval is confirmed. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 12c The organization maintains a written conflict of interest policy that is reviewed annually by the Board of Trustees. Each board member and key employee is required to complete and sign a conflict of interest disclosure form at the start of each fiscal year. The Executive Director and Board President review the completed disclosures. If any potential conflicts are disclosed, they are reviewed by the Board, and appropriate steps are taken in accordance with the policy. Meeting minutes document any discussions and resolutions related to potential conflicts. This process ensures regular and consistent enforcement of the policy. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 19 During the tax year, the Elizabeth Youth Theater Ensemble made its governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements available to the public upon request. Individuals may obtain these documents by contacting the organization via email or mail. In addition, Form 990 and related disclosures are made available through the IRS and on nonprofit transparency websites such as GuideStar (Candid). The organization is committed to transparency and accountability in its operations and governance. Form 990, Part IX, Line 11g The amount of $243,568 reported under "Other Expenses" represents payments made to independent contractors serving as teaching artists and workshop facilitators for the organization's programs, including Walking the Beat and other arts education initiatives. These individuals were contracted to deliver curriculum-based instruction, creative residencies, and community engagement activities throughout the program year. All contractors were issued appropriate tax forms in accordance with IRS guidelines. The Elizabeth Youth Theater Ensemble respectfully requests relief for the late filing of its Form 990 due to reasonable cause. During the organization's extended summer programming and transition into its fiscal year-end closing (May 31), key administrative staff experienced overlapping project deadlines and limited capacity. As a small nonprofit with minimal back-office infrastructure, this created temporary delays in assembling the necessary financial documentation and reviewing the return for accuracy. The organization takes its compliance responsibilities seriously and has implemented improved internal controls to ensure timely filings in the future. These steps include setting earlier internal deadlines and engaging additional administrative support during high-volume program periods. We respectfully ask that any penalties be waived under reasonable cause criteria, as the delay was not due to willful neglect.