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THEATRE & ARTS FOUNDATION OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY

EIN 95-1941117 LA JOLLA, CA

Revenue 2024
$26,664,190
Expenses 2024
$23,829,091

Program services were 75.2% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

As filed

Subsection
03
NTEE code
A650
Classification
2300
Street
PO BOX 12039

These codes are the IRS's own and are shown exactly as filed. What each one means is in the Business Master File documentation (opens in a new tab).

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

The Playhouses mission is to advance theatre as an art form and as a vital social, moral and political platform by providing unfettered creative opportunities for the leading artists of today and tomorrow.

Activities or mission (Part I)

To advance theatre as an art form and as a vital social, moral and political platform by providing unfettered creative opportunities for the leading artists of today and tomorrow.

  • The Theater and Arts Foundation of San Diego County dba La Jolla Playhouse (the Playhouse) is a place where artists and audiences come together to create whats new and next in American Theatre. From Tony Award- winning plays and musicals to imaginative programs for young audiences, to interactive experiences outside our theatre walls, the Playhouse brings people together to inspire discussion and open pathways to new ways of thinking. A visit to the Playhouse is an invitation to harness the transformative power of theatre to explore the here and nowand together, expand our worlds compassion, understanding, and hope.Founded in 1947 by Gregory Peck, Dorothy McGuire, and Mel Ferrer, the Playhouse was revived in 1983, and is currently led by 2017 Tony Award-winning Artistic Director Christopher Ashley and Managing Director Debby Buchholz. Playhouse artists and audiences have taken part in the development of new plays and musicals, including mounting 120 world premieres, commissioning 70 new works, and sending 37 productions to Broadway, garnering a total of 42 Tony Awards including the 1993 Tony Award forOutstanding Regional Theatre.La Jolla Playhouses mission is to advance theatre as an art form, telling stories that inspire empathy and create a dialogue toward a more just future. With our intrepid spirit and eclectic, artist-driven approach we will continue to cultivate a local, national and global following with an insatiable appetite for audacious work.We provide unfettered creative opportunities for a community of artists of all backgrounds and abilities. We are committed to being a permanent safe harbor for unsafe and surprising work, offering a glimpse of the new and the next in American theatre.Our mission and goals are realized through:- Reaching 100,000+ patrons annually, the Playhouses subscription season is comprised of six productions each year, including world premieres and new works, as well as reimagined classics. Our plays reflect a diverse range of voices, theatrical styles, and subject matter, and involve artists and production staff reflective of San Diegos multicultural communities.- Without Walls (WOW) is the Playhouses acclaimed immersive and site-inspired theatre program designed to break barriers by moving beyond the boundaries of a traditional four-walled theatre space. The Playhouse regularly commissions and presents site-specific works, as well as its popular WOW Festival.- New Play Development is fulfilled by supporting the creation of new work and developing artists and companies through such programs as Page To Stage (a full production that allows input from the audience throughout the run during nightly talkbacks); DNA New Work Series (providing artists with rehearsal time, space, and resources, and holding readings and workshops open to the public); a robust commissioning program, the Artist-in-Residence Program (a multi-month residency where artists can develop new projects); and the Theatre-in-Residence Program (a multi-year residency for San Diego-area companies without a permanent home).- The Playhouse is dedicated to educational enrichment through the arts, reaching 35,000 people annually through Learning & Engagement programs and partnering with San Diego schools/cultural organizations. The Playhouse commissions a new play for students each year and tours it to local schools; places theatre artists into schools for in-school residencies and afterschool programs; invites students to engage in on-site professional theatre experiences; provides training and other educational resources for teachers adhering to standards-based curricula; and provides access opportunities for patrons of all ages. We offer engaging and rigorous summer programming for students in 3rd-12th grade, including technical theatre training and a Conservatory for High School Students. Additionally, the Playhouse invites adult lifelong learners through our Spotlight On program to collaborate in classes in acting, improvisation, musical theatre, and technical theatre.

    Expenses $17,924,047 · Revenue $12,370,676

As filed on the 2024 return.

Officers and directors · 2024

As listed in Part VII of the 2024 return, in the order the filer printed them. Each return names its own; this is not a roster the organization keeps with us.

  • DEBBY BUCHHOLZ

    MANAGING DIR

    Total calculated
    $476,856
    From this org
    $401,713
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $75,143
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $376,713
    Bonus
    $25,000
    Other
    not reported
    Deferred
    $13,507
    Nontaxable benefits
    $61,636
    Filer's total
    $476,856

  • CHRISTOPHER ASHLEY

    ARTISTIC DIR

    Total calculated
    $476,376
    From this org
    $444,774
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $31,602
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $419,774
    Bonus
    $25,000
    Other
    not reported
    Deferred
    $13,027
    Nontaxable benefits
    $18,575
    Filer's total
    $476,376

  • ERIC KEEN-LOUIE

    ARTISTIC PROD DIR

    Total calculated
    $202,915
    From this org
    $196,693
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $6,222
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $191,693
    Bonus
    $5,000
    Other
    not reported
    Deferred
    $5,892
    Nontaxable benefits
    $330
    Filer's total
    $202,915

  • LAURA KILLMER

    CFO

    Total calculated
    $192,806
    From this org
    $176,629
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $16,177
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $171,629
    Bonus
    $5,000
    Other
    not reported
    Deferred
    $5,166
    Nontaxable benefits
    $11,011
    Filer's total
    $192,806

  • KEELY DAXIMILLION

    DIR OF PHILANTHRPY

    Total calculated
    $187,279
    From this org
    $173,885
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $13,394
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $168,885
    Bonus
    $5,000
    Other
    not reported
    Deferred
    $5,225
    Nontaxable benefits
    $8,169
    Filer's total
    $187,279

  • RYAN MEISHEID

    GENERAL MANAGER

    Total calculated
    $184,023
    From this org
    $178,485
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $5,538
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $173,485
    Bonus
    $5,000
    Other
    not reported
    Deferred
    $5,344
    Nontaxable benefits
    $194
    Filer's total
    $184,023

  • JARED DRAKE

    DIRECTOR OF FINANC

    Total calculated
    $150,118
    From this org
    $137,989
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $12,129
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $136,489
    Bonus
    $1,500
    Other
    not reported
    Deferred
    $4,150
    Nontaxable benefits
    $7,979
    Filer's total
    $150,118

  • REBECCA DUHAIME

    PRODUCTION MGR

    Total calculated
    $147,926
    From this org
    $134,911
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $13,015
    Hours/week
    40

  • LYNELLE LYNCH

    Trustee

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • MICHAEL BARTELL

    Trustee

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • RANDY CAMP

    Trustee

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • PHILLIP RUDOLPH

    Trustee

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • ANN CATHCART CHAPLIN

    Trustee

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • EDWARD DENNIS PHD

    Trustee

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • MARY WALSHOK PHD

    Trustee

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • BARBARA ZOBELL

    Trustee

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • ROBIN RUSINKO

    Trustee

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • STEPHEN COLEMAN

    Trustee

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • ROBERT CAPLAN

    Trustee

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • RANDALL CLARK

    Trustee

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • DOUG DAWSON

    Trustee

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • WESTON ANSON

    Trustee

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • CLARK GUY

    Trustee

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • RALPH BRYAN

    Trustee

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • HAL DUNNING

    Trustee

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

The first 25 listed. Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us. Earlier years are each on their own filing page.

Filings

  • 2024
    Revenue
    $26,664,190
    Expenses
    $23,829,091
    Contributions
    $11,106,407
    Grants paid
    $0
  • 2023
    Revenue
    $21,802,645
    Expenses
    $22,122,964
    Contributions
    $8,741,521
    Grants paid
    $0
  • 2022
    Revenue
    $23,690,799
    Expenses
    $22,739,965
    Contributions
    $10,672,470
    Grants paid
    $0

The four totals the IRS asks for on Part I of the Form 990, as filed. A dash means the figure was not present on the return — not that it was zero.

Other returns filed

  • 2021 · 990

    Revenue
    $15,790,250
    Expenses
    $14,245,696
    Assets (EOY)
    $96,134,792

  • 2020 · 990

    Revenue
    $6,048,442
    Expenses
    $7,648,864
    Assets (EOY)
    $89,641,155

  • 2019 · 990

    Revenue
    $61,817,025
    Expenses
    $17,542,715
    Assets (EOY)
    $76,758,479

  • 2018 · 990

    Revenue
    $18,304,883
    Expenses
    $15,097,682
    Assets (EOY)
    $34,545,038

  • 2017 · 990

    Revenue
    $21,802,551
    Expenses
    $19,706,336
    Assets (EOY)
    $32,027,979

  • 2016 · 990

    Revenue
    $16,334,715
    Expenses
    $16,285,446
    Assets (EOY)
    $32,072,096

  • 2015 · 990

    Revenue
    $17,104,929
    Expenses
    $16,904,758
    Assets (EOY)
    $31,349,544

  • 2014 · 990

    Revenue
    $16,029,933
    Expenses
    $15,475,323
    Assets (EOY)
    $32,937,467

  • 2013 · 990

    Revenue
    $15,605,827
    Expenses
    $16,420,417
    Assets (EOY)
    $33,197,587

  • 2012 · 990

    Revenue
    not reported
    Expenses
    $15,180,778
    Assets (EOY)
    $32,893,569

Nonprofiteer parses Forms 990, 990-EZ and 990-PF, in a window of recent tax years. These returns are recorded from the IRS e-file index, so their figures were extracted by that index rather than read from the return here — treat them as a different source from the filings above, not as more of the same record. A dash means the index carries no figure; Form 990-T listings carry none at all. Showing the 10 most recent; the API carries the rest.

Grants made

No itemized grants to organizations. Schedule I is filed only by organizations that granted more than $5,000 to a recipient, so most filers have none.

Grants received

The 10 largest by cash amount. The API serves every itemized grant.

Other IRS files

Auto-Revocation List

Not listed. The IRS publishes this list for organizations whose exemption was automatically revoked for failing to file for three consecutive years.

Publication 78

Listed as of 13 October 2026, under deductibility PC.

These are two separate IRS files on two separate schedules, shown as published and not reconciled with each other. Neither is a statement about whether a contribution is deductible today: 19,245 organizations appear in Publication 78 while the IRS's own revocation file lists them as currently revoked, more than half of those revoked before 2019. Absence from Publication 78 is evidence of nothing, and presence is not evidence either. Verify current status with the IRS before relying on it.

What this page reflects

The registration facts above come from the IRS Business Master File published 13 October 2026 and read 26 October 2026, for every organization at once. Returns through tax year 2024, the newest we have parsed for this organization.