Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: CO_LAB Theater Group
Legal Name (if Different): CO/LAB Theater Group, Inc.
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 520 8th Avenue, Suite 308
City: New York
State: New York
Postal Code: 10018
Main Phone: 347-989-4338
Main Fax:
Organization Website: colabtheatergroup.com
Employer ID Number: 80-0742652
Organization Tax Status: 500(c)(3) Nonprofit

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 3/24/26
Requested Amount: 10000

Project Title: CO_LAB Tours
Project Description:

CO_LAB Tours is a disability-led theatrical touring initiative launching in 2026 that brings original, professional performance into New York City schools serving students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). The program employs ten adult actors with I/DD as paid professional performers, earning equitable wages for rehearsals, touring, and post-show engagement — creating meaningful employment while expanding representation for young people who rarely see disabled artists on stage.

In its inaugural 2026–27 cycle, CO_LAB Tours will remount The Sensational Senses, an original musical with puppetry devised by CO_LAB’s 2024–25 Act III Puppetry Ensemble. The production premiered at the wild project in January 2025 to enthusiastic response from educators, who recognized it as an ideal fit for students with I/DD. Adapted for touring with a 35-minute runtime, a mobile set, and flexible staging for varied school spaces, the show will visit at least ten schools citywide, reaching an estimated 1,000 students throughout the academic year.

Each school visit includes a performance, talkback, and classroom engagement component, along with pre- and post-show curricular resources that integrate disability representation into social-emotional learning. Future cycles will expand the model into a fully devised production program, with touring ensembles generating new original work through a collaborative, actor-centered creative process.

CO_LAB Tours builds on the organization’s proven program infrastructure — drawing on the artistic methodology of CO_LAB Core, the community-partnership model of CO_LAB Connect, and the employment framework of CO_LAB Leaders. A tiered pricing model ensures equitable access for under-resourced schools while cultivating long-term partnerships that support the program’s sustainability. By connecting adult disabled artists with the next generation of students with I/DD, CO_LAB Tours creates a powerful bridge between professional opportunity and youthful aspiration.

Total Project Budget: $210,000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Foundations (secured): $110,000 – Foundations (pending): $62,000 – Individuals (committed): $25,000 – Government (secured): $10,000 – Earned Revenue (potential): $3000

Project Duration: Fall, 2026-June, 2027
Geographical Area Served: New York City
Age Group To Be Served: 8-21

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mr.
Contact First Name: David
Contact Last Name: Shane
Contact Title: Executive Director
Contact Phone: 740-814-3283
Contact Email: david.shane@colabtheatergroup.com