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BORDERLANDS THEATER TEATRO FRONTERIZO INC

Tucson, AZ · EIN 860548361 · Form 990EZ · FY2022 · NTEE A650 · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Small ($100K-$1M) · www.borderlandstheater.org
revenue
$122K
expenses
$170K
net assets
$38K
employees
program ratio
61%
mission · from form 990

See Schedule O

profile · synthesized from sources

Borderlands Theater produces original, culturally grounded theater that reflects the borderlands experience, primarily serving Tucson communities. The organization creates innovative, participatory performances that blend Chicano culture with contemporary storytelling, and runs youth programs to engage local youth in the arts. It also participates in national initiatives linking arts and community wellness.

named programs · 4 · from sources

what they call their work

#NoPlaceLikeHome Season
Season-long series of performances and community events responding to the national One Nation One Project prompt, culminating in a day of theater and a pool party in July 2024.
Barrio Stars
Youth theater program that integrates culture, arts, and education for Tucson youth; funded in part by proceeds from dinner theater events.
Blame of Thrones
Interactive, Chicano-themed dinner theater murder-mystery parody inspired by Game of Thrones and set in Tucson neighborhoods; includes audience participation, music, and cultural satire.
Social Prescribing Initiative
Collaborative program linking healthcare providers with community arts activities to improve mental and social wellbeing, particularly for at-risk populations.
activities · 7 clusters

what they do

  • Professional Theatrical Productions of Plays and Musicals 4 activities
    • Interactive and immersive theater experiences
      Stages interactive dinner theater productions such as "Blame of Thrones," a Chicano murder mystery featuring audience participation, a three-course meal, and comedic performance, designed to engage audiences in immersive storytelling while supporting youth scholarship programs.
    • Producing and Staging Theatrical Productions
      Produces and stages theatrical productions, including plays, musicals, and interactive dinner theater experiences, often with themes relevant to the US-Mexico borderlands and Latin-infused rhythms. Recent productions include "Antigona 3.0," "Alebrijes," "Blame of Thrones," "Anita," "Claudia's Family," and "LOTERIA: This Game is No Juego."
    • Producing and Staging Theatrical Productions
      Produces and stages a season of theatrical productions, including plays, musicals, and interactive dinner theater experiences, often featuring Latin-infused themes and stories relevant to the US-Mexico borderlands. These productions include original works and adaptations, and some tour nationally.
    • Production of original and adapted theatrical works
      Produces original and adapted plays and musicals that reflect Chicano and borderlands experiences, such as "Antigona 3.0," "Blame of Thrones," "Claudia’s Family," and "Anita," with performances in Tucson and touring to venues like the Los Angeles Theatre Center and Denver. These productions often incorporate live music, digital projections, and interactive elements.
  • Youth & Adult Theater Education Programs 3 activities
    • Youth Theater Programming
      Operates the "Barrio Stars" youth theater program and Barrio Stars Youth Camp, offering playful drama activities, character exploration, and imaginative world ventures to students of all backgrounds, culminating in performances for friends and family.
    • Youth Theater and Arts Education
      Operates the "Barrio Stars" youth theater program and Barrio Stars Youth Camp, offering playful drama activities, character exploration, and imaginative world ventures to students of all backgrounds, culminating in performances for friends and family. Proceeds from some productions support this scholarship fund.
    • Youth theater and arts education programs
      Runs the Barrio Stars Youth Camp and Barrio Stars youth theater program, offering drama activities, character exploration, and performance opportunities for youth of all backgrounds, culminating in public performances and integrating cultural expression, arts, and education.
  • Creative Writing & Spoken Word Programs 2 activities
    • Hosting Poetry Open Mic Series
      Co-hosts and collaborates on all-ages poetry open mic series, such as "The Asteroid Readings" and "The Moon Readings," providing safe spaces for individuals to share their poetry.
    • Support for poetry and open mic platforms
      Co-hosts and collaborates on all-ages poetry open mic series such as "The Asteroid Readings" and "The Moon Readings," providing safe spaces for people of all identities to share creative work, with ongoing seasons hosted in partnership with community organizations.
  • Theater Production Internships 2 activities
    • Internship and professional development programs
      Offers internships that provide hands-on experience in theater operations including set building, design, administration, marketing, and community engagement, with opportunities for academic credit, supporting the training and development of emerging theater professionals.
    • Theater Internships
      Offers internships providing participants with experience in various aspects of theater, including set building, design, administration, marketing, and community engagement, with opportunities for college/university credit.
  • Community Festival & Event Organization 1 activity
    • Community arts engagement and public events
      Hosts community events such as post-show Wellness Festas with live music, heritage food, art exhibits, and interactive activities; organizes art contests like "Art Is Vital"; and participates in festivals like Tucson Meet Yourself by facilitating mask and alebrije-making activities that contribute to set design and theater decor.
  • Volunteer-Based Theater Support 1 activity
    • Volunteer engagement in theater operations
      Engages volunteers in production support roles such as set painting, prop制作, ushering, and staffing merchandise or art-making booths during performances, integrating community members into the operational fabric of productions.
  • Uncategorized 7 activities
    • Community Arts Engagement and Events
      Organizes and co-hosts various community arts events, including poetry open mics ("The Asteroid Readings," "The Moon Readings"), post-show "Wellness Fiestas" with live music and art exhibits, and art contests. The organization also facilitates interactive art-making activities for the public, such as mask and alebrije making, which contribute to theatrical set designs.
    • Community Arts Engagement and Workshops
      Organizes and facilitates community arts engagement activities, including post-show "Wellness Fiestas" with live music and art exhibits, art contests, and interactive workshops such as mask and alebrije making for public events.
    • Community Leadership Training through Theater
      Collaborates with the City of Tucson on the "No Place Like Home" program, deploying theater tools like storytelling and ensemble building to assist in leadership training and build social cohesion among residents from vulnerable housing sites, culminating in public events co-created with residents.
    • Community Leadership Training through Theater
      Collaborates with the City of Tucson’s Community Safety, Health and Wellness program on "No Place Like Home," deploying theater tools like storytelling and ensemble building to assist in leadership training and build social cohesion among residents from vulnerable housing sites, with public events co-created with residents.
    • Community leadership and wellness initiatives using theater
      Partners with the City of Tucson’s Community Safety, Health and Wellness program on the "#NoPlaceLikeHome" initiative, using storytelling and ensemble-building techniques to support leadership training and social cohesion among residents of vulnerable housing sites, culminating in co-created public performances in Spring 2025.
    • Cultural event co-hosting and book launches
      Co-hosts cultural events such as the book launch for Paul S. Flores’ poetry collection "WE STILL BE," expanding its role beyond theater production into broader literary and artistic community engagement in Tucson.
    • Seasonal and campaign-based theater programming
      Presents annual theater seasons featuring Latin-infused stories of love, survival, humor, and hope, including themed campaigns like #NoPlaceLikeHome, which includes a day of theater and a pool party, with public events co-created with community residents.
financials · form 990EZ · fy2022

the money

revenue
Total revenue$122K
Contributions & grants$57K47%
Program service revenue$64K53%
Investment income
Other revenue$408
expenses
Total expenses$170K
Program expenses61%
Admin / overhead39%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits
Grants paid out
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$38K
Cash$162K
Investments$0
Liabilities$1K
Net assets$38K
Liquid reserves11.4 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2022 · YoY revenue +3.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2022

who runs it

paid leadership · 2
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
MARC PINATE PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR 25 $32K
MILTA ORTIZ ASSOCIATE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR 15 $19K
board members · 1
  • MARISA GRIJALVA — BOARD PRESIDENT
relationships · 32

who they work with

  • Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona Funder — Provides general operating grant support for "No Place Like Home."
  • Bell Tower on Stone Partner — Venue for the "Blame of Thrones" production.
  • City of Tucson’s Community Safety, Health and Wellness Partner — Partners on the "No Place Like Home" initiative to assist in leadership training and building social cohesion.
  • Dos Suenos Partner — Provided live music for the Wellness Fiesta.
  • Eva Sierra Partner — Collaborates with Eva Sierra, the creator of The Asteroid Reading Series.
  • Galeria Mitotera Partner — Co-hosted the WE STILL BE book launch event in Tucson
  • Galeria Mitotera Partner — Sponsored the "Art Is Vital" art contest exhibit.
  • Homestyle Galleries Partner — Scenic sponsor for "Claudia's Family."
  • Invisible Theater Partner — Participates in the "Live Theater in Tucson" tent to share information about productions and opportunities.
  • Katharine@borderlandstheater.org Partner — Primary contact for volunteer coordination.
  • Live Theater Workshop Partner — Participates in the "Live Theater in Tucson" tent to share information about productions and opportunities.
  • Live Theatre Workshop Partner — Tickets for "LOTERIA: This Game is No Juego" were available on their website.
  • National Latinx Theater Initiative Funder — Receives a general operating grant.
  • New England Foundation for the Arts Funder — Provided a grant that made the in-process showing of Antigona 3.0 possible.
  • One Nation One Project Partner — Participates in the One Nation One Project initiative, a national arts and wellness initiative.
  • Saguaro City Music Theatre Partner — Participates in the "Live Theater in Tucson" tent to share information about productions and opportunities.
  • Scoundrel & Scamp Theatre Partner — Collaborates on activities for the "Alebrijes" play, including creating set decorations and a lobby centerpiece.
  • Scoundrel & Scamp Theatre Partner — Hosted the world premiere and performances of "Antigona 3.0."
  • Scoundrel & Scamp Theatre Partner — Partners on the production of "Alebrijes or Ridiculous Beautiful Beasts," with Borderlands Theater's Artistic Director directing.
  • Scoundrel and Scamp Partner — Co-produced the play "Alebrijes" with Scoundrel and Scamp at The Scoundrel & Scamp Theatre.
  • Scoundrel and Scamp Theater Partner — Hosted performances of "Claudia's Family."
  • Shotz De Salud LLC Partner — Made the opening reception for "Claudia's Family" possible.
  • Tejano Legend Pioneers Organization Partner — Tucson chapter made the opening reception for "Claudia's Family" possible.
  • The Bell Tower on Stone Partner — Venue for the production of "Blame of Thrones: A Chicano Murder Mystery Dinner Theater"
  • The Reading Series Partner — Collaborates on "The Moon Readings," an all-ages poetry open mic.
  • The Scoundrel & Scamp Theater Partner — Venue for the production of "Claudia's Family"
  • Tornabene Theater Partner — Venue for the production of "Anita"
  • Tucson Meet Yourself Partner — Curated heritage foods for the Wellness Fiesta.
  • Tucson Meet Yourself Partner — Participates in the Tucson Meet Yourself festival, hosting activities in the KidLore section.
  • Tucson Meet Yourself Partner — Partnered with Tucson Meet Yourself on the production of "Alebrijes".
+ 2 more