Diversionary Theatre Productions Inc

What it reported doing in 2024

39 Years of Groundbreaking Theatre & Arts EducationThe Mission of Diversionary Theatre is to provide an inspiring, inclusive, and empowering space for community to celebrate and explore complex, provocative, and diverse LGBTQIA+ stories which contribute to the larger cultural discussion.Diversionary Theatre (Diversionary) is the third oldest LGBTQIA+ theatre in the country, founded in 1986 during the darkest days of the HIV/AIDS crisis in order to bring to light important social issues that impact the quality of life of LGBTQIA+ people. Diversionary has been a beacon for a community searching for a platform to be heard for over three decades. The rapidly evolving national debate over LGBTQIA+ rights, marriage equality, adoption rights, discrimination, and bullying all speak to the need for our mission, and indeed, Diversionary has been instrumental in fostering the conversation over these issues in San Diego.Diversionary is a rare, yet essential part of the American cultural landscape, and as the only LGBTQIA+ theatre in San Diego, a vital part of the communitys arts ecology. Since its inception, Diversionary has produced over 150 World, West Coast, and San Diego premieres and revivals, as well as a host of arts education programs sowing cultural tolerance and a theatre-going audience of the future.Our Arts Education Programs are focused on providing cross-cultural understanding around LGBTQIA+ themes, and providing resources for participants to gain a better understanding of themselves and the broader world in which they live. While we are a small theatre organization, we are proud of the diversity of what we are able to offer. Our education program provides arts education activities that are integrated throughout Diversionarys mainstage productions, and also provides stand-alone programming in our historic site in University Heights and in classrooms at participating schools across San Diego County.Awards and Accomplishments- WINNER of multiple San Diego Critics Circle Awards:- 2023 Outstanding Lead Performance in a musical for Gerilyn Brault in Head Over Heels- 2023 Outstanding Lead Performance in a play for Sara Porkalob in Dragon Mama- 2019 Outstanding Lead Performance in a play for The Hour of Great Mercy- 2019 Outstanding Lead Performance in a musical for Hedwig and The Angry Inch2019 Actor of the Year, Michael Louis Cusimano and Cashae Monya- 2018 Outstanding Lead Performance for Wrekless Watson for Cardboard Piano- 2017 Outstanding New Play for Ballast by Georgette Kelly- 2017 Outstanding Solo Performance for Shana Wride in 2.5 Minute Ride- 2017 Outstanding Featured Performance for Annie Hinton in Well- 2016 Outstanding Actor in a Musical for Justin Huertas in Lizard Boy The Musical- 2016 Outstanding Score for a Musical for The Boy Who Danced On Air- 2016 Recipient of the prestigious 2016 Don Braunagal Award for Outstanding Work- Named the #1 Reason San Diego Theatre Rocks by City Beat Magazine for 2017.- Diversionary is an economic anchor in University Heights and its resident businesses, attracting over 10,000 patrons annually to the neighborhood.- Diversionary reaches over 2,000 public school students annually, through its Student Matinee Series serving San Diego Middle High Schools, after-school program serving San Diego Elementary schools, Teen-Versionary program, and D-Tours free touring production which travels to school campuses and community centers across San Diego County- Diversionarys unique Teen-Versionary program brings together a diverse group of LGBTQIA+ students to work together to produce a new show featuring important social themes.- Diversionarys Stonewall Salon is San Diegos only performing arts program specifically serving the elderly LGBTQIA+ community, a segment of our population in need of social programs as they rarely have extended family or children.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 100%; rating input score 100
• Program expense ratio: 70.8%; rating input score 71
• Fundraising efficiency: $5.56 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 20; 20th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 93.8%; rating input score 94; 24th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 87.5%; rating input score 88; 21st percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 7 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 88
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -43.8%; rating input score 4; 4th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 2.03; rating input score 65; 65th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.08; rating input score 46; 46th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 6.4%; rating input score 49; 49th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 10.4% per year; rating input score 100; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 10% per year; rating input score 100; 66th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 11.8% per year; rating input score 100; 64th percentile among comparable filings