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LOOKINGGLASS THEATRE COMPANY

EIN 36-3653114 CHICAGO, IL

Revenue 2024
$3,397,699
Expenses 2024
$4,766,243

Program services were 50.1% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

As filed

Subsection
03
NTEE code
A650
Classification
1000
Street
3320 W FOSTER SUITE 102

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

LOOKINGGLASS THEATRE COMPANY IS A NATIONAL LEADER IN THE CREATION AND PRESENTATION OF INNOVATIVE, CUTTING-EDGE THEATRICAL WORK. LOOKINGGLASS INTERWEAVES MOVEMENT, CIRCUS ARTS AND NARRATIVE IN ORIGINAL AND CAPTIVATING WAYS. GUIDED BY AN ARTISTIC (SEE SCH O) VISION CENTERED ON THE CORE VALUES OF COLLABORATION, TRANSFORMATION, AND INNOVATION, LOOKINGGLASS SEEKS TO REDEFINE THE THEATRICAL EXPERIENCE AND MAKE THEATRE ART THAT IS EXHILARATING, INSPIRATIONAL, AND ACCESSIBLE TO ALL. LOOKINGGLASS SHARES ITS THEATRICAL DEVELOPMENT TECHNIQUES WITH CHICAGO'S DIVERSE COMMUNITY THROUGH THE EXTENSIVE OUTREACH OF ITS EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING.

Activities or mission (Part I)

LOOKINGGLASS THEATRE COMPANY COMBINES A PHYSICAL AND IMPROVISATIONAL REHEARSAL (SEE SCH O) PROCESS CENTERED ON ENSEMBLE WITH TRAINING IN THEATRE DANCE, MUSIC, AND THE CIRCUS ARTS. WE SEEK TO DEFINE THE LIMITS OF THEATRICAL EXPERIENCE AND TO MAKE THEATRE EXHILARATING, INSPIRATIONAL, AND ACCESSIBLE TO ALL.

  • FOUNDED IN 1988 BY A GROUP OF NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY GRADUATE STUDENTS, LOOKINGGLASS THEATRE COMPANY IS A NATIONWIDE LEADER IN THE CREATION AND PRESENTATION OF NEW, CUTTING-EDGE THEATRICAL WORKS. LOOKINGGLASS HAS RECEIVED THE TONY AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING REGIONAL THEATRE, MACARTHUR AWARD FOR CREATIVE AND EFFECTIVE INSTITUTIONS, ARTISTIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FROM THE LEAGUE OF CHICAGO THEATRES, AND 58 JOSEPH JEFFERSON AWARDS. LOOKINGGLASS HAS REACHED OVER 4 MILLION AUDIENCES WORLDWIDE THROUGH ITS MORE THAN 100 PRODUCTIONS STAGED AND THE PBS PRESENTATION OF LOOKINGGLASS ALICE.LOOKINGGLASS IS BOTH NURTURED BY AND ACTIVELY SHAPES THE LOCAL CULTURE OF COLLABORATION, EXPERIMENTATION, AND IDEALISM. DRIVEN BY 32 ENSEMBLE MEMBERS AND 16 ARTISTIC ASSOCIATES, LOOKINGGLASS PRODUCTIONS ARE CENTERED ON ENSEMBLE WITH TRAINING IN THEATRE, DANCE, MUSIC, AND CIRCUS ARTS. LOOKINGGLASS' SIGNATURE NEW WORK DEVELOPMENT LABORATORY, GGLASSWORKS, FUELS THE CONTINUED GROWTH OF ITS BODY OF WORK, INCLUDING 73 WORLD PREMIERE PLAYS TO DATE. AT ANY GIVEN TIME, GGLASSWORKS HAS UPWARDS OF 20 PLAYS IN VARIOUS STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT.LOOKINGGLASS' LIVE EXPERIENCES BRING VIEWERS INTO A SHARED AWARENESS OF THEIR PRESENCE, HOLDING SPACE FOR IMAGINATIVE PARTICIPATION AND HELPING AUDIENCES TO PICTURE THEIR LIVES TRANSFORMED, LEAVING THEM CHANGED, CHARGED, AND EMPOWERED. WITH ITS FLEXIBLE THEATRE ARRANGEMENT, LOOKINGGLASS OFTEN CONFIGURES AUDIENCE SEATING TO ENHANCE THE SENSATION OF PARTICIPATION AND BELONGING IN THE ONSTAGE ACTION. IN A TYPICAL SEASON, LOOKINGGLASS OFFERS UPWARDS OF 200 PERFORMANCES IN ITS THEATRE, AS WELL AS ONLINE, AND IN CREATIVE, OFFSITE EVENTS, CONNECTING WITH 50,000 OR MORE GUESTS. LOOKINGGLASS PRODUCTIONS HAVE TOURED 17 U.S. CITIES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH REGIONAL THEATRES.

    Expenses $2,319,506

  • LOOKINGGLASS' DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT SERVES A BROAD AND DIVERSE COMMUNITY ACROSS THE CHICAGOLAND REGION, BRINGING THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF THEATER INTO CLASSROOMS, COMMUNITIES, AND NEIGHBORHOODS. IN-HOUSE ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS DEEPEN THE EXPERIENCE OF THEATRE, CULTIVATING CURIOSITY AND BUILDING COMMUNITY. TEACHING ARTISTS BRING LOOKINGGLASS' CORE VALUES OF COLLABORATION, INVENTION, AND TRANSFORMATION INTO EVERY SETTING. FOR MANY PARTICIPANTS, LOOKINGGLASS' PROGRAMS OFFER THE ONLY AVAILABLE SOURCE OF QUALITY THEATRE ARTS EDUCATION, WHICH CULTIVATES CONFIDENCE, COMPREHENSION, AND SELF-EXPRESSION, GROWING THE CAPACITY FOR TELLING AND UNDERSTANDING STORIES, AND SUPPORTING COMMUNICATION AND COLLABORATION WITH PEERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS. THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT OFFERS FIVE PROGRAMS DURING A TYPICAL SEASON: RESIDENCIES IN CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS: LOOKINGGLASS' FLAGSHIP EDUCATION PROGRAM, RESIDENCIES PROVIDE INDIVIDUALIZED THEATRE EDUCATION PROGRAMS BOTH DURING AND AFTER SCHOOL. A MULTI-SESSION RESIDENCY MAY FOCUS ON ARTS INTEGRATION PROGRAMMING FOR CORE CURRICULUM SUBJECTS OR DRAMA SKILLS SUCH AS PLAYWRITING, ACTING, AND ENSEMBLE-BUILDING. EVERY LOOKINGGLASS RESIDENCY REINFORCES AND BUILDS UPON NATIONAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LEARNING STANDARDS IN ARTS EDUCATION AND RELATED SUBJECT AREAS. LOOKINGGLASS DEPLOYS A RIGOROUS ASSESSMENT PRACTICE TO CONTINUALLY INCREASE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ITS PROGRAMMING. LOOKINGGLASS HAS DIRECTLY ENHANCED THE LIVES OF OVER 200,000 CHICAGO YOUTH THROUGH ITS PROGRAMS.YOUNG ENSEMBLE: COMPRISED OF A GROUP OF CHICAGO-AREA YOUNG ADULTS, AGES 13-18, THE YOUNG ENSEMBLE IS COMMITTED TO BUILDING THEATER SKILLS, LIFTING VOICES, AND DEVELOPING CREATIVITY THROUGH COLLABORATION. MUCH LIKE LOOKINGGLASS' OWN PRODUCTIONS, YOUNG ENSEMBLE SHOWS WEAVE TOGETHER LANGUAGE, VISUAL SPECTACLE, MUSIC, AND THE UNIQUE TALENTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE ENSEMBLE TO DEVELOP COMPELLING WORKS. INCLUSIVE, RIGOROUS, AND ENDLESSLY CREATIVE, THE YOUNG ENSEMBLE BUILDS NOT ONLY BETTER ARTISTS, BUT BETTER COLLABORATORS, THINKERS, AND LEADERS. EACH YEAR THE YOUNG ENSEMBLE PRODUCES AND PERFORMS IN A FULL-SCALE PRODUCTION DIRECTED BY LOOKINGGLASS ENSEMBLE MEMBERS.LOOKINGGLASS OUTDOORS: IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT, LOOKINGGLASS BRINGS FREE CIRCUS PERFORMANCES TO PARKS AND PUBLIC SPACES ACROSS THE CITY.LOOKINGGLASS SUMMER CAMPS FOR YOUTH AND TEENS ACROSS CHICAGO PROVIDE ARTS LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AND EXPLORE THEMES FROM UPCOMING PRODUCTIONS.COMMUNITY-BASED PARTNER RESIDENCIES: THESE ACTIVITIES PAIR LOOKINGGLASS TEACHING ARTISTS WITH COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS TO ADDRESS THE GOALS, CHALLENGES, NEEDS, AND ASPIRATIONS OF THE INDIVIDUALS THEY SERVE, HELPING TO EFFECT TRANSFORMATIVE CHANGE. LAST SEASON, LOOKINGGLASS OFFERED RESIDENCIES TO GROUPS FROM: ART ON SEDGWICK, ARTS FOR BRAIN HEALTH COALITION, BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF CHICAGO, CHICAGO HELP INITIATIVE, LATINOS PROGRESANDO, AND STRENGTHENING CHICAGO'S YOUTH.COMMUNITY PARTNER TICKETS: IN AN ORDINARY SEASON, THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES PARTNERING ORGANIZATIONS WITH OVER 250 COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS TO LOOKINGGLASS' SEASON. GUESTS ENGAGE IN A POST-SHOW DISCUSSION WITH LOOKINGGLASS ARTISTS, CAST, AND CREW. OFTEN OFFERED IN TANDEM WITH ITS RESIDENCIES, THIS PROGRAM GIVES PARTICIPANTS IN LOOKINGGLASS' EDUCATION PROGRAMMING THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT ITS THEATRE AND SEE ITS ARTISTS AT WORK. RECENT PARTNERS INCLUDED: ART ON SEDGWICK, BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF CHICAGO, CHICAGO HELP INITIATIVE, MY BLOCK MY HOOD MY CITY, STRENGTHENING CHICAGO'S YOUTH, AND LATINOS PROGRESANDO.

    Expenses $68,958

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

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.

  • KASEY FOSTER

    ARTISTIC DIRECTOR & ENSEMBLE MEMBER, LOOKINGGLASS

    Total calculated
    $97,647
    From this org
    $90,000
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $7,647
    Hours/week
    40

  • STEVE ARMSTRONG

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • DEANN BAYLESS

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • MICHAEL BELSLEY

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • MOLLY BERAN

    TREASURER & CHAIR OF FINANCE COMMITTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    6

  • DAVID CATLIN

    DIRECTOR & ENSEMBLE MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • LESTER CONEY

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • CHANON DICARLO

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • CHARLES FRANKEL

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • LUIS GUTIERREZ

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • MICHAEL HARRINGTON

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • LINDSAY HEARN

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • LINDSAY KNIGHT

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • BRENDA LANGSTRAAT BUI

    DIRECTOR & GOVERNANCE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • ABBIE ROTH

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • YASMEEN SOIN

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • CATIE WALSH HEADTKE

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • ALEXANDRA BRADBURY

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • TURIYA LUZADDER

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • MARCI MASUR

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • DAVID SCHWIMMER

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • JIMMY OH

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • NAHEED ALI

    DIRECTOR & DEVELOPMENT CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • CAROLYN RAVICHANDRAN

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • DIANE WHATTON

    CHAIRPERSON EMERITUS

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    10

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. Earlier years are each on their own filing page.

Filings

  • 2024
    Revenue
    $3,397,699
    Expenses
    $4,766,243
    Contributions
    $2,068,816
    Grants paid
    $0
  • 2023
    Revenue
    $6,083,388
    Expenses
    $2,749,217
    Contributions
    $5,387,159
    Grants paid
    $0
  • 2022
    Revenue
    $5,976,683
    Expenses
    $4,824,600
    Contributions
    $4,914,383
    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
    $3,866,114
    Expenses
    $4,272,026
    Assets (EOY)
    $2,356,485

  • 2020 · 990

    Revenue
    $2,735,043
    Expenses
    $1,766,619
    Assets (EOY)
    $3,907,203

  • 2019 · 990

    Revenue
    $3,359,608
    Expenses
    $3,705,229
    Assets (EOY)
    $2,508,887

  • 2018 · 990

    Revenue
    $4,827,525
    Expenses
    $4,739,103
    Assets (EOY)
    $2,378,579

  • 2017 · 990

    Revenue
    $4,751,122
    Expenses
    $5,014,598
    Assets (EOY)
    $2,361,310

  • 2016 · 990

    Revenue
    $4,346,009
    Expenses
    $5,026,406
    Assets (EOY)
    $2,528,908

  • 2015 · 990

    Revenue
    $5,516,310
    Expenses
    $4,687,503
    Assets (EOY)
    $3,153,373

  • 2014 · 990

    Revenue
    $5,110,600
    Expenses
    $4,561,625
    Assets (EOY)
    $2,588,522

  • 2013 · 990

    Revenue
    $5,935,692
    Expenses
    $5,279,419
    Assets (EOY)
    $2,093,471

  • 2012 · 990

    Revenue
    not reported
    Expenses
    $4,863,749
    Assets (EOY)
    $892,329

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.