2026-06-08T07:56:31-07:00 2025-07-31 263957706 Morse & Company CPAs LLP 28445 Highgate Drive Bonita Springs FL 34135 990 2024-08-01 133193376 THEATER BREAKING THROUGH BARRIERS CORP THEA 2122434337 400 WEST 43RD STREET 43R NEW YORK NY 10036 Nicholas Viselli Director/CEO 2026-06-08 true true Dexter A Morse CPA P00536272 2127652200 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z 400 WEST 43RD STREET 43R NEW YORK NY 10036 462469 false X WWW.TBTB.ORG X 1982 NY Theater Breaking Through Barriers is NYCs only Off-Broadway theater organization dedicated to advancing artists and developing audiences of people with disabilities, and proving once and for all, that disability does not affect the quality of our art or artists. 9 8 5 10 0 322315 462045 60165 0 1134 424 0 383614 462469 0 0 187709 209136 0 90572 372702 186001 560411 395137 -176797 67332 266356 309537 66947 42796 199409 266741 Theater Breaking Through Barriers (TBTB) is NYCs only Off-Broadway theater organization dedicated to advancing artists and developing audiences of people with disabilities, and altering the misperceptions surrounding disability by proving, once and for all, that disability does not affect the quality or integrity of our art or artists. We believe that through artistic excellence and the development of role models, we can claim at last for the full inclusion of people with disabilities in our society. false false 154988 Although TBTB opted to forego a full MainStage production during our 2024/2025 season so we could focus on building our administrative infrastructure with the hiring of a full-time Development Manager, Sad Powell, we were extremely pleased to present two public events, which showcased the talents of our artists, while providing free entertainment to our audiences. In March 2025, TBTB partnered with The Signature Theater during their world premiere of Samuel D. Hunters latest play, GRANGEVILLE by presenting a Monday evening play reading series featuring four of Mr. Hunters other plays: A GREAT WILDERNESS, CLARKSTON, THE HARVEST, AND THE HEALING. The series was titled, HUNTER IN FOUR and was presented at Signatures Ford Foundation Studio. All readings were free to the public and featured over 27 artists, 70% of whom were performers with disabilities. All readings were open captioned and featured a question and answer talk-back, which followed each performance. From April 28 through May 4th, TBTB presented our 3rd Hybrid Playmakers Intensive, HPI3: DRAMAPHEMERA, which featured 12 original short plays, all written by and for our artists and performed live for both online and in-person audiences. Our Playmakers Intensive program is unique in that it allows us to gather a group of writers, directors, and actors, randomly pair them together into groups, and charge each group to create an original play. Six of the plays, written to be performed online via ZOOM, were presented (1 play each evening with 2 live performances) from April 28 through May 3rd. On May 4th, the final six plays were presented live before a studio audience of 75 people at Clinton Cameo Studios, 307 W. 43rd Street, NYC. These plays were also recorded and shown online to our virtual audiences from June 16 - 21. All performances featured live stream and open captioning as well as post-show discussions and audio description, when necessary. In both projects, all artists received financial compensation for their time and talents. 51663 Advocacy: Throughout the 2024/25 season, TBTB continued to represent the disabled community by participating in both online and in-person meetings, round tables and symposia with various city and community arts and activist organizations, including with NYCs Mayors Office for People with Disabilities. During the summer of 2025, TBTB attended the Kennedy Centers National LEAD Conference, in Cleveland. The conference focuses on leadership in the arts and disability and features keynote speakers, seminars, round table discussions and presentations to help art makers create accessible programming. During this conference, TBTB Artistic Director, Nicholas Viselli, was approached by LEAD Conference Chair, Betty Siegal, to serve as a presenter at the 2026 LEAD Conference, to be held this summer in Philadelphia. Because TBTB actively implements accessibility directly into the core of our work, we are recognized as a leader in the field as we push to make accessibility a universal design consideration for all. As the call for equity, diversity, and inclusion continues to grow, TBTB remains a pioneer, leading by example and demonstrating that the integration of disabled and non-disabled artists off all races, genders, and sexual orientations from every corner of our community leads to a more level playing field, collective unity, and richer, more impactful art for artists and audiences alike. 206651 true true false false false false false false false false true false false true true false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false true 32 0 true 5 true false false false false false false false 0 false false false false false false false X 9 8 false false false false false false false true true false false true true true true true true true false false NY X NICHOLAS VISELLI 2122434339 400 WEST 43RD STREET NEW YORK NY 10036 Nicholas Viselli Director/CEO 40.00 0.00 X X 76442 0 0 Richard Allen Treasuer 4.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Louis M Morrell Chairman 4.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Susan Ferziger Secretary 4.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Keith Murfee-DeConcini Board Member 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Richard Rose Board Member 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Fareeda Ahmed Board Member 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Anita Hollander Board Member 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 John Spinnato Board Member 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 76442 0 false false false 0 46930 415115 68735 462045 Program Income 900099 0 424 424 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 462469 424 X 0 0 0 0 76442 61154 11466 3822 0 108851 12963 34857 61031 0 23843 9537 5961 8345 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 81722 49033 24517 8172 6417 6131 286 18480 10396 7392 692 13869 8321 4161 1387 0 24341 12171 6085 6085 1601 1601 0 0 0 0 2508 1129 627 752 2596 2596 Program Expense 34215 34215 Bank and filing fees 252 252 0 395137 206651 97914 90572 121876 158284 0 74050 94140 5903 0 0 0 0 0 7250 28251 18946 11814 9305 0 0 0 0 52713 40558 266356 309537 18709 12488 48238 30308 66947 42796 X 125089 172331 74320 94410 199409 266741 266356 309537 67332 X X false true X true false X 344030 504515 507724 309732 393310 2059311 0 0 344030 504515 507724 309732 393310 2059311 0 2059311 0 0 0 2059311 1.00000 1.00000 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 28251 18946 9305 9305 Other Assets 10250 Right of Use Asset 30308 40558 Operating lease liability 30308 30308 462469 462469 462469 395137 395137 395137 false false false Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 11b The Form 990 is prepared by TBTBs external Auditors and initially reviewed by the Board Chair, the Board Treasurer and the CEO. An updated draft Form 990 is submitted to the full Board for their review and comments. Upon completion of that review, all questions are answered, and a revised final draft of F990 is prepared and submitted to the full Board for approval. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 12c TBTB has a written Conflict of Interest Policy. It is referenced in the Bylaws and included as an Exhibit thereto. Each Board member is required annually to submit to the Secretary the completed disclosure form indicating that they have read the policy, that they are in compliance with the Policy's provisions and that they have completed the disclosure form as required. The Secretary, being a board Member, submits her form to the Executive Director. Any real or potential conflicts are then reported to and discussed at the next scheduled or special board meeting, including any conflicts that had been previously addressed by and with the appropriate parties. In addition, key employees are covered under the policy and its disclosure requirements. Additionally, the Board Chair also monitors all contracts with third parties that involve or have a connection with any Board Member or key employees and if there is an unresolved question of a potential conflict of interests, reports such to the full Board. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 15a The Board, annually in executive session, without the Artistic Director, reviews, discusses and takes any appropriate action regarding his salary adjustment and bonus. The Board then discusses such actions with the Artistic Director. Generally, at the same meeting, the Board in full session, the Artistic Director discusses and reviews and seeks the board's agreement with any proposed salary action and bonus for each employee. In its deliberations the Board considers various factors such as performance, budgetary constraints, regulatory issues, such as the potential impact on disability benefits, and competitive and appropriate compensation levels. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 19 Our Form 990 is currently available through The IRS and NY State Charity Bureaus respective websites and upon request. TBTB is currently rebuilding its website and intends to include access to the annual independent audit report and the Form 990. Form 990, Part XII, Line 2c Oversight of the audit is the responsibility of the Board Treasurer with the assistance of the Artistic Director and Company Manager. The Audit and the Form 990 are submitted to the full board by the Treasurer for their review, approval and authorization to take any necessary steps with regards to posting, reporting to funders and filling with any regulatory authority.Regarding selection of the Auditor, the board has delegated to the Treasurer and Artistic Director, the review of and recommendation to engage the independent auditor. The Treasurer then presents their findings and recommendation to the Board for their consideration and approval.