Series · Recording Dec
Straight Forward Sessions
Acoustic recordings with surprise voices.
Our songs.
Surprise voices.
Straight Forward Sessions are acoustic recordings and videos of acclaimed performers from Broadway and beyond singing our songs. Recording begins in December, with a new session every few weeks. Raising $10,000 starts us off with five to six sessions, carrying the series through the spring.
Every gift is tax-deductible · Pivotal Productions is a 501(c)(3)
Preview · live Zeffy form goes here
Mission
We develop new work and the artists who make it.
Pivotal Productions is a nonprofit that develops and produces new works in theater, film and other entertainment. We support emerging artists and entertainment professionals by championing emerging voices and bold creative visions.
Pivotal Productions is a 501(c)(3); donations are tax-deductible.
In development now
Title to be announced
New musical
A new musical
Based on an American dramatic film. Title to be announced.
Your project here
Fiscal sponsorship
Sponsored projects
Projects we fiscally sponsor appear here.
Education
Opportunities for young theatre artists.
Pivotal began as an educational theatre company, giving students real roles on real productions. Today we bring that into the work we develop: young theatre students apprentice alongside our creative and production teams, learning by doing.
Where we started · past productions
Photo coming · In the Heights
2016
In the Heights
2017
Spring Awakening
Photo coming · Fame
Year TBD
Fame
Year TBD
Footloose
Fiscal sponsorship
Raise tax-deductible money for your project.
Artists without their own nonprofit can apply to work under Pivotal's 501(c)(3), so their donors get a tax deduction. Our fee is 4% of what you raise, about half the going rate.
How our fee compares
Fee on funds raised
Pivotal ProductionsNo membership or setup fee
4%
Field averageComprehensive fiscal sponsors
~7%
Fractured Atlas+ $10/month membership
8%
NYFA+ $100 contract fee, under $500k
8%
0%2%4%6%8%10%
Published fee schedules, November 2026: Fractured Atlas, New York Foundation for the Arts, and Social Impact Commons field scan. Other providers commonly charge 5 to 15%.
On a $25,000 raise, your project keeps What's included
$24,000
with Pivotal (4%)
$23,000
at a typical 8%
- Tax-deductible donations and donor acknowledgments
- Separate accounting for your project
- Payroll through Pivotal
- General liability insurance coverage
- Help with grant applications and reports
- Year-end financial report
01
Apply
Tell us about your project in a short form.
02
Agreement
We review it and sign a sponsorship agreement. Your materials credit “Fiscal sponsorship provided by Pivotal Productions, Inc.”
03
Raise
Your donors give through Pivotal; we pass the funds to your project.
Founders
Billy Aberle & Chris Sabol
Writers and directors whose work has been produced at the New York Theatre Festival and Off Broadway at Theatre Row.
Chris Sabol co-founded Wagner College's student-run musical theatre program in 2009, has music-directed more than 60 shows, and holds a doctorate in education policy and leadership from American University.
Billy Aberle worked with The Public Theater on Hamilton before its Broadway transfer, Telsey + Company, and Nederlander Organization productions including Finding Neverland.
Donate
Support Pivotal Productions
Give once or monthly. Prefer to mail a check? Gifts of $500 and up can be sent by check; the form shows how.
Support Pivotal Productions
One-time♥ Monthly
$50$100$250$500
Donate $100Preview · live Zeffy form goes here
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