WACO THEATER CENTER

Financials

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 for the year ended June 30, 2025, highest compensation first.

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)

5062 LANKERSHIM BLVD MB 160, N HOLLYWOOD, CA 91601-4225

Principal officer (990 for 2024)

SHAY WAFER, 5062 LANKERSHIM BLVD 160, NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA 91601

Signed the 990

SHAY WAFER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Phone

(818) 400-1151

Website

HTTPS://WACOTHEATERCENTER.COM/

Return prepared by

WALTERS & SKLYAR LLP

California records

California keeps its own records of charities and corporations. Search them by EIN 81-2917440 or by the name WACO THEATER CENTER.

Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers

Registration status and filed reports (CT-TR-1, RRF-1)

Secretary of State, bizfile Online

Corporation status, entity number, agent for service

Franchise Tax Board

Entity status letter (state tax exemption, good standing)

Mission

WACO (WHERE ART CAN OCCUR) THEATER CENTER IS A PERFORMING AND VISUAL ARTS ORGANIZATION THAT PRESENTS, COMMISSIONS AND DEVELOPS ARTISTIC WORKS DEDICATED TO STORIES OF THE AFRICAN DIASPORA. CO-FOUNDED BY RICHARD LAWSON AND TINA KNOWLES, WACO PROVIDES ARTISTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE A PLATFORM TO VOICE AND SHOWCASE THEIR CREATIVITY TO CONNECT AND INSPIRE OTHERS. WACO'S ARTISTIC AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS ARE DRIVEN BY FOUR VALUES. WE CREATE WORK THAT UNAPOLOGETICALLY: CENTERS BLACK ART AND CULTURE FROM A DIASPORIC LENS AND VOICE; INCUBATES AND LAUNCHES NEW CREATIVE IDEAS TO MEMORIALIZE THE PAST AND ENVISION THE FUTURE OF BLACK LIFE; IS COLLABORATIVE AND LEADS WITH AN UBUNTU MINDSET, "I AM, BECAUSE WE ARE- AND SERVES THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY INCLUDING THE SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, AND CIVIC PRIORITIES OF OUR NEIGHBORS AND BLACK LOS ANGELES. NOW IN OUR EIGHTH SEASON, WE HAVE CONTINUED TO ELEVATE AN EMPHASIS ON THE HISTORY OF THE AFRICAN DIASPORA AND CULTURE IN OUR PROGRAMMING. WE FIRMLY BELIEVE IN THE POWER

Program accomplishments

• WACO'S MOST AMBITIOUS PROGRAMMATIC UNDERTAKING OF FY25 WAS THE CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT OF STILL HERE - A DUAL-PLATFORM CREATIVE INTERVENTION THAT EXISTS AT THE INTERSECTION OF ART, ADVOCACY, AND PUBLIC HEALTH. STILL HERE IS BOTH A WRITTEN PUBLICATION AND A LIVE PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE, AND TOGETHER THEY FORM A POWERFUL, UNAPOLOGETIC RESPONSE TO ONE OF THE MOST UNDERREPORTED HEALTH CRISES FACING BLACK WOMEN TODAY: THE RISING RATE OF HIV DIAGNOSES IN BLACK COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THE STILL HERE MAGAZINE WAS COMPLETED FOR PRINTING DURING THIS FISCAL YEAR - A LANDMARK ACHIEVEMENT REPRESENTING MONTHS OF CREATIVE LABOR AND COMMUNITY COLLABORATION. THE PUBLICATION FEATURES STORIES COMMISSIONED FROM 32 BLACK WOMEN WRITERS, EACH BRINGING A DISTINCT VOICE, PERSPECTIVE, AND LIVED EXPERIENCE TO THE PAGE. THE RESULT IS NOT A CLINICAL HEALTH RESOURCE. IT IS A LIVING DOCUMENT - PART ANTHOLOGY, PART RESOURCE GUIDE, PART LOVE LETTER TO BLACK WOMEN - THAT MEETS READERS WITH HONESTY, DIGNITY, AND CARE. THE MAGAZINE IS DESIGNED TO REDUCE STIGMA, SPARK CONVERSATION, AND AFFIRM THE LIVES OF WOMEN WHO HAVE TOO OFTEN BEEN RENDERED INVISIBLE IN BOTH MAINSTREAM MEDIA AND PUBLIC HEALTH DISCOURSE. ALONGSIDE THE MAGAZINE, THE STILL HERE LIVE EXPERIENCE WAS DEVELOPED FOR THE STAGE - A ONE-OF-A-KIND 360-DEGREE PERFORMANCE THAT FUSES STORYTELLING, VIDEO, MUSIC, AND DANCE INTO AN IMMERSIVE THEATRICAL ENCOUNTER BROUGHT TO LIFE INSIDE A HAIR SALON, ONE OF THE MOST SACRED AND TRUSTED COMMUNAL SPACES IN BLACK WOMEN'S LIVES. A TEAM OF 20 CREATIVE COLLABORATORS - INCLUDING ACTORS, DIRECTORS, A CHOREOGRAPHER, A MULTIMEDIA ARTIST, A HAIR ARTIST, A VISUAL ARTIST, AND A COSTUME DESIGNER - CAME TOGETHER TO BUILD THIS EXPERIENCE FROM THE GROUND UP THROUGH A DEVISED, COHORT-BASED CREATIVE PROCESS. STILL HERE LIVE IS POWERED BY THE VOICES OF LOCAL AND NATIONAL ACTIVISTS AND ADVOCATES WHO REFUSE TO LET THIS CONVERSATION REMAIN IN THE SHADOWS. THE PRODUCTION IS SCHEDULED TO MAKE ITS LOS ANGELES DEBUT IN SEPTEMBER 2025, WITH A NATIONAL TOUR TO BATON ROUGE AND ATLANTA IN 2026 - BRINGING THIS VITAL WORK TO THE COMMUNITIES THAT NEED IT MOST
  Expenses $1,205,734
• WACO'S EDUCATION PROGRAM, THE ANGELS AND WARRIORS MENTORSHIP PROGRAM, IS BUILT ON A SIMPLE BUT RADICAL BELIEF: EVERY YOUNG PERSON DESERVES TO BE SEEN, SUPPORTED, AND EQUIPPED TO PURSUE THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE WRAP-AROUND SERVICES DESIGNED TO FACILITATE PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH FOR YOUNG PEOPLE FROM 8TH GRADE THROUGH COLLEGE - MEETING THEM WHERE THEY ARE AND WALKING ALONGSIDE THEM AS THEY GROW. AT THE CORE OF ANGELS AND WARRIORS IS THE WORK OF HELPING YOUNG PEOPLE IDENTIFY THEIR DREAMS AND THEN BUILDING THE CLARITY, DISCIPLINE, AND SKILL TO ACTUALLY ACHIEVE THEM. THIS IS NOT A PASSIVE PROGRAM. IT IS AN ACTIVE, RELATIONAL INVESTMENT IN THE NEXT GENERATION OF BLACK ARTISTS, LEADERS, AND CHANGE-MAKERS. THROUGH MENTORSHIP, PARTICIPANTS DEVELOP NOT ONLY ARTISTIC SKILLS BUT THE CONFIDENCE AND SELF-AWARENESS TO NAVIGATE THE WORLD ON THEIR OWN TERMS. THE PROGRAM CURRICULUM IS INTENTIONALLY EXPANSIVE - EXTENDING BEYOND CLASSROOM WALLS THROUGH OFF-SITE FIELD TRIPS, HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS, AND MEANINGFUL ENCOUNTERS WITH GUEST ARTISTS. THESE EXPERIENCES EXPOSE YOUNG PEOPLE TO THE FULL BREADTH OF CAREERS AVAILABLE IN THE ARTS WHILE FOSTERING A DEEP APPRECIATION FOR CREATIVE EXPRESSION AS BOTH A PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL PATH. ANGELS AND WARRIORS DOESN'T JUST DEVELOP ARTISTS - IT DEVELOPS WHOLE PEOPLE.
  Expenses $180,198
• AS WACO DEEPENS ITS ROOTS IN LEIMERT PARK AHEAD OF OUR VENUE TRANSITION, OUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM THIS YEAR WAS ANCHORED BY THE OUR VISION PORTRAIT AND ARCHIVE CAMPAIGN - AN EXPANSIVE, PARTICIPATORY INITIATIVE DEDICATED TO DOCUMENTING THE SPIRIT, FACES, AND STORIES OF THE LEIMERT PARK COMMUNITY IN A PERMANENT, PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE ARCHIVE. THE CAMPAIGN WAS BUILT ON THE CONVICTION THAT COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE NOT JUST THE AUDIENCE FOR ART - THEY ARE THE ART ITSELF. EVERY PORTRAIT, EVERY ORAL HISTORY, EVERY PLANNING CONVERSATION WAS AN ACT OF CULTURAL PRESERVATION, ENSURING THAT THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SHAPED THIS NEIGHBORHOOD ARE SEEN, HONORED, AND REMEMBERED. THE RESULTS SPEAK TO THE DEPTH OF COMMUNITY TRUST AND PARTICIPATION THE CAMPAIGN GENERATED: 135+ PORTRAITS WERE CAPTURED, EACH ONE A TESTAMENT TO THE PRESENCE, BEAUTY, AND RESILIENCE OF LEIMERT PARK'S COMMUNITY MEMBERS. THESE ARE NOT PASSIVE IMAGES - THEY ARE DECLARATIONS OF EXISTENCE, GATHERED WITH INTENTION AND CARE. 60 MINI ORAL HISTORIES WERE COLLECTED THROUGH INTIMATE CONVERSATIONS WITH PARTICIPANTS - PRESERVING PERSONAL NARRATIVES, NEIGHBORHOOD MEMORIES, AND COMMUNITY WISDOM THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE GO UNDOCUMENTED. THE CAMPAIGN WAS GROUNDED IN GENUINE COMMUNITY PROCESS, NOT TOP-DOWN PROGRAMMING. 5 PLANNING MEETINGS WERE HELD WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND PARTNERS TO COLLABORATIVELY GUIDE AND SHAPE THE DIRECTION OF THE INITIATIVE. 2 ORAL HISTORY TABLING SESSIONS WERE HOSTED AT THE BELOVED SUNDAY MARKETPLACE, CREATING LOW-BARRIER, ACCESSIBLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR NEIGHBORS TO SHARE THEIR STORIES ON THEIR OWN TERMS. AND 1 PORTRAIT SHOOT ACTIVATION BROUGHT THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER IN A CELEBRATORY GATHERING WHERE PARTICIPANTS WERE PHOTOGRAPHED AS PART OF BOTH THE EXHIBITION AND THE PERMANENT ARCHIVE. THE CULMINATING EXHIBITION NOW LIVES ON THE OUTDOOR WALLS OF A BUILDING IN LEIMERT PARK - A PUBLIC, PERMANENT INSTALLATION THAT TRANSFORMS THE NEIGHBORHOOD ITSELF INTO A GALLERY. IT IS VISIBLE TO EVERY PERSON WHO WALKS THOSE STREETS, A DAILY REMINDER THAT THIS COMMUNITY'S HISTORY, BEAUTY, AND HUMANITY ARE WORTH DISPLAYING FOR THE WORLD TO SEE.
  Expenses $111,750
• DURING THIS FISCAL YEAR, WACO MADE SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS IN ORGANIZATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE TO ENSURE THAT OUR TRANSITION TO THE VISION THEATRE IS NOT ONLY SUCCESSFUL, BUT SUSTAINABLE. WE RECOGNIZE THAT A MOVE OF THIS MAGNITUDE REQUIRES MORE THAN ENTHUSIASM AND ARTISTIC VISION - IT REQUIRES SOUND PLANNING, STRONG GOVERNANCE, DIVERSIFIED FINANCIAL STRATEGY, AND THE LEADERSHIP CAPACITY TO STEWARD A COMPLEX, MULTI-PROGRAM INSTITUTION AT A NEW LEVEL OF SCALE. BECOMING THE VISION IS THE WORK OF BUILDING ALL OF THOSE THINGS AT ONCE. TO GUIDE THIS PROCESS, WACO ENGAGED EXPERIENCED PLANNING CONSULTANTS WHOSE EXPERTISE SPANS NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, ARTS ADMINISTRATION, AND INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING. THESE PARTNERSHIPS WERE NOT TRANSACTIONAL. THEY WERE DEEPLY COLLABORATIVE ENGAGEMENTS DESIGNED TO ALIGN OUR ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE WITH THE AMBITION AND RESPONSIBILITY OF OPERATING A MAJOR PERFORMING ARTS COMPLEX IN ONE OF LOS ANGELES' MOST HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT CULTURAL CORRIDORS. THE WORK THIS FISCAL YEAR CENTERED ON THREE INTERCONNECTED AREAS OF DEVELOPMENT: BUSINESS PLANNING. WACO WORKED WITH CONSULTANTS TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE BUSINESS PLAN THAT CHARTS A CLEAR AND REALISTIC PATHWAY FOR OPERATING THE VISION THEATRE PERFORMING ARTS COMPLEX. THIS PLAN EXAMINES OUR PROGRAMMING MODEL, OPERATIONAL CAPACITY, STAFFING STRUCTURE, REVENUE STREAMS, AND LONG-TERM FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY. IT TRANSLATES WACO'S ARTISTIC MISSION INTO AN ORGANIZATIONAL ROADMAP - ONE THAT HONORS WHO WE ARE WHILE PREPARING US FOR THE DEMANDS AND OPPORTUNITIES OF WHO WE ARE BECOMING. FUNDRAISING STRATEGY. EXPANDING INTO A MAJOR PERFORMING ARTS VENUE REQUIRES AN EQUALLY EXPANDED APPROACH TO RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT. THIS FISCAL YEAR, WACO DEVELOPED A ROBUST FUNDRAISING PLAN DESIGNED TO DIVERSIFY AND GROW OUR REVENUE BASE IN ALIGNMENT WITH OUR NEW OPERATIONAL REALITY. THIS PLAN ENCOMPASSES INDIVIDUAL GIVING, INSTITUTIONAL PHILANTHROPY, GOVERNMENT FUNDING, EARNED REVENUE, AND CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS - BUILDING THE FINANCIAL ARCHITECTURE NECESSARY TO SUPPORT A THRIVING, COMMUNITY-CENTERED ARTS COMPLEX FOR YEARS TO COME. BOARD DEVELOPMENT. STRONG GOVERNANCE IS THE BACKBONE OF ANY ENDURING INSTITUTION. AS WACO GROWS, SO TOO MUST THE LEADERSHIP THAT GUIDES IT. THIS YEAR, WE ENGAGED IN INTENTIONAL BOARD DEVELOPMENT WORK - IDENTIFYING THE SKILLS, PERSPECTIVES, AND NETWORKS NEEDED TO BUILD A BOARD THAT IS EQUIPPED TO GOVERN A PERFORMING ARTS COMPLEX, ADVOCATE FOR WACO'S MISSION, AND STEWARD OUR RESOURCES WITH EXCELLENCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY. THIS WORK IS AS MUCH ABOUT ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE AS IT IS ABOUT STRUCTURE - CULTIVATING A GOVERNANCE MODEL THAT REFLECTS WACO'S VALUES AND THE COMMUNITY WE SERVE.
  Expenses $88,670

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 June, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.

IRS record

EIN

81-2917440

Tax-exempt status

501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization

Foundation status

Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))

Donations deductible (Pub 78)

Public charity, 50% deduction limit

Exempt since

2016

Accounting year ends

June

Files

Form 990 or 990-EZ

Category (NTEE)

Arts, culture and humanities (A20)

Assets (IRS master file)

$1,327,376

Income (IRS master file)

$143,808

Filing history

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 81-2917440).

Questions about WACO THEATER CENTER

What is the EIN of WACO THEATER CENTER?

The employer identification number (EIN) of WACO THEATER CENTER is 81-2917440.

Is WACO THEATER CENTER tax-exempt?

Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2016.

Are donations to WACO THEATER CENTER tax-deductible?

Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).

Which annual return does WACO THEATER CENTER 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 WACO THEATER CENTER due?

The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending June 30, 2026) is due November 16, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.

When did WACO THEATER CENTER last file with the IRS?

The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended June 2025.

Who is the principal officer of WACO THEATER CENTER?

The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 names SHAY WAFER.

Who are the officers and directors of WACO THEATER CENTER?

The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 lists 8 people; 3 received compensation from the organization, the highest $125,500 (SHAY WAFER, EXECUTIVE DI).

How much revenue does WACO THEATER CENTER have?

On its 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $143,808, expenses of $2,009,512 and total assets of $1,327,376 at year end.

Other nonprofits in N HOLLYWOOD

• ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS & SCIENCES FOUNDATION
  EIN 95-2283284 · last filed 990 for 2024
• VALLEY RELICS
  EIN 46-0985214 · last filed 990 for 2024
• ALL ROADS THEATRE COMPANY
  EIN 92-1003825 · last filed 990 for 2025
• MINOR PERFORMER ALLIANCE
  EIN 33-1804152 · last filed 990 for 2025
• FILIPINO AMERICAN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
  EIN 46-2720347 · last filed 990 for 2024
• CALIDANZA DANCE COMPANY
  EIN 46-2474047 · last filed 990 for 2025
• GURDJIEFF FOUNDATION OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES BRANCH
  EIN 95-4042880 · last filed 990 for 2025
• GROUP REPERTORY THEATRE
  EIN 23-7449682 · last filed 990 for 2026

All nonprofits in N HOLLYWOOD · California · Arts, culture and humanities