Nonprofit · EIN 39-1769252
OPTIMIST THEATRE INC
Tax-exempt · MILWAUKEE, WI 53212
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990-EZ | $163,809 | $139,608 | $24,201 | $58,936 | – | $43,436 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990-EZ | $128,803 | $172,287 | -$43,484 | $19,236 | – | $19,236 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990-EZ | $149,759 | $140,314 | $9,445 | $62,720 | $0 | $62,720 |
Financial details: 990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $161,059
- Program service revenue
- $2,750
Expenses
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $0
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $56,415
- Professional fees and payments to contractors
- $54,672
- Occupancy
- $2,468
- Printing, publications and postage
- $1,911
- Other expenses
- $24,142
- Program services (functional)
- $90,007
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $51,460
- Total assets, end of year
- $58,936
- Total liabilities, end of year
- –
- Net assets, end of year
- $43,436
- Cash, savings and investments
- $43,436
- Gross receipts
- $163,809
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michelle Owczarski | President | 2 | $0 |
| Michelle Owczarski | Vice President | 2 | $0 |
| Emiliio DeTorre | Board member | 2 | $0 |
| Tyler Hull | Board Member | 2 | $0 |
| Azeeza Islam | Board Member | 2 | $0 |
| Ronald Fry | Board Member | 2 | $0 |
| Debra Fabian | Board Member | 2 | $0 |
| Susan Fry | Board Member | 4 | $0 |
990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2024: 8 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michelle Owczarski | President | 2 | $0 |
| Michelle Young | Vice President | 2 | $0 |
| Emiliio DeTorre | Board member | 2 | $0 |
| Tyler Hull | Board Member | 2 | $0 |
| Azeeza Islam | Board Member | 1 | $0 |
| Ronald Fry | Board Member | 3 | $0 |
| Debra Fabian | Board Member | 2 | $0 |
| Susan Fry | Board Member | 4 | $0 |
990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2023: 8 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michelle Owczarski | President | 2 | $0 |
| Michelle Young | Vice President | 2 | $0 |
| Emilio DeTorre | Member | 2 | $0 |
| Tyler Hull | Member | 2 | $0 |
| Debra Fabian | Member | 2 | $0 |
| Ron Fry | Member | 4 | $0 |
| Azeeza Islam | Member | 1 | $0 |
| Susan Fry | Member | 10 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 2010 N 1ST ST, MILWAUKEE, WI 53212-3202
- In care of
- % SUSAN FRY
- Mailing address (990-N for 2009)
- 2010 N 1st Street, Milwaukee WI 53212
- Principal officer (990-N for 2009)
- Susan Fry, 2010 N 1st Street, Milwaukee WI 53212
- Signed the 990-EZ
- Susan Fry, Executive Director
- Phone
- (262) 498-5777
- Website
- www.optimisttheatre.org
Mission
Shakespeare in the Park, provides free, professional productions of Shakespeare?s plays in public parks throughout the greater Milwaukee area. In 2025, performances were held during the summer season and reached thousands of attendees from diverse communities. The program promotes access to the arts, community engagement, and cultural enrichment by removing financial and geographic barriers to participation.
Program accomplishments
- Free Shakespeare in the Park productions offered primarily in public parks around the greater Milwaukee area. Approx 2500 individuals served of all agesExpenses $90,007
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | 990-EZ on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990-EZ on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990-EZ on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 39-1769252
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (509(a)(2))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 1993
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Arts, culture and humanities (A65M)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $58,936
- Income (IRS master file)
- $163,809
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990-EZ | December 2025 | $163,809 | $139,608 | $58,936 | IRS |
| 990-EZ | December 2024 | $128,803 | $172,287 | $19,236 | XML |
| 990-EZ | December 2023 | $149,759 | $140,314 | $62,720 | XML |
| 990-EZ | December 2022 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-EZ | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-N for 2009 Officer: Susan Fry | December 31, 2009 | ≤ $50,000 receipts | – | – | e-Postcard |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 39-1769252).
Questions about OPTIMIST THEATRE INC
- What is the EIN of OPTIMIST THEATRE INC?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of OPTIMIST THEATRE INC is 39-1769252.
- Is OPTIMIST THEATRE INC tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1993.
- Are donations to OPTIMIST THEATRE INC tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does OPTIMIST THEATRE INC file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of OPTIMIST THEATRE INC due?
- The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did OPTIMIST THEATRE INC last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990-EZ for the year ended December 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of OPTIMIST THEATRE INC?
- The 990-N for 2009 names Susan Fry.
- Who are the officers and directors of OPTIMIST THEATRE INC?
- The 990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 8 people; 0 received compensation from the organization.
- How much revenue does OPTIMIST THEATRE INC have?
- On its 990-EZ for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $163,809, expenses of $139,608 and total assets of $58,936 at year end.
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