The Public Theater
The Public Theater, a cornerstone of New York City's vibrant arts landscape, is an institution that has consistently pushed the boundaries of theatrical expression. Located at 425 Lafayette Street in Manhattan, this esteemed organization operates from a building steeped in history – the former Astor Library. Its coordinates are precisely 40°43′45″N 73°59′30″W / 40.72917°N 73.99167°W / 40.72917; -73.99167, a testament to its established presence. Designated as a New York City Landmark, the building itself, the Astor Library Building, is a piece of living history. The Public Theater is a significant player in the Off-Broadway scene, boasting multiple performance spaces with varying capacities: LuEsther (160), Martinson (199), Shiva (99), Newman (299), and Anspacher (275). The doors first opened to this iteration in 1967, though its roots stretch back further. Its official online presence can be found at publictheater.org.
The genesis of The Public Theater can be traced back to 1954, when it was founded by the visionary Joseph Papp as the Shakespeare Workshop. Papp's original intention was to cultivate emerging playwrights and performers, fostering a space for new voices and bold interpretations. This mission continues to echo through the institution's programming. The theater's inaugural production, the groundbreaking musical Hair, premiered in 1967, setting a precedent for the adventurous and socially relevant work that would become its hallmark. Following Papp's impactful tenure, the artistic direction of The Public Theater has been helmed by a series of distinguished leaders. JoAnne Akalaitis guided the theater from 1991 to 1993, and George C. Wolfe continued its legacy from 1993 to 2004. Currently, the esteemed Oskar Eustis serves as Artistic Director, with Patrick Willingham as Executive Director, steering the organization into its next chapter.
The Public Theater's headquarters, a grand edifice at 425 Lafayette Street in Lower Manhattan, is more than just a building; it's a hub of artistic activity. Within its walls reside five distinct theater spaces, each offering a unique environment for performance. Complementing these are Joe's Pub, a celebrated cabaret-style venue that champions new work, musical performances, spoken-word artists, and solo performers. Beyond the confines of Lafayette Street, The Public also operates the iconic Delacorte Theater in Central Park. For decades, this open-air venue has been the stage for the beloved "Shakespeare in the Park" series, offering free access to Shakespeare's timeless plays for the public since 1954. This commitment to accessibility, particularly through free programming, has been a defining characteristic of The Public's identity.
Recent productions that have graced The Public's stages and captured the attention of critics and audiences alike include: The Merchant of Venice in 2010, a production that likely delved into the play's enduring themes of justice and mercy; Here Lies Love in 2013, a vibrant musical exploring the life of Imelda Marcos; Fun Home in 2013, a critically acclaimed musical adaptation of Alison Bechdel's graphic memoir; Eclipsed in 2015, a powerful play by Danai Gurira set during the Liberian civil war; and the phenomenon that was Hamilton in 2015, Lin-Manuel Miranda's revolutionary musical retelling of American history. Each of these productions, in its own way, reflects The Public's dedication to presenting diverse, thought-provoking, and artistically ambitious theater.
Programs and Series
Beyond its regular season of full-scale theatrical productions, The Public Theater curates and presents a diverse array of ongoing series, festivals, and programmatic initiatives, each designed to engage audiences and nurture artistic development. These programs underscore the institution's commitment to a broad spectrum of artistic endeavors and community engagement.
The Public initiated its Public LAB series in 2008, an annual showcase dedicated to new plays, often developed in collaboration with other esteemed theater companies, such as the LAByrinth Theater Company. This series provides a crucial platform for burgeoning playwrights to test their work in front of an audience. Integral to the Public LAB experience is a corresponding speaker series, which hosts after-show talkbacks. These discussions offer invaluable opportunities for audiences to delve deeper into the prominent themes, ideas, and socio-political topics embedded within the plays, fostering a more profound connection between the art and its reception. Several plays that have premiered within the Public LAB series have subsequently achieved full-scale productions, a testament to the series' effectiveness in identifying and nurturing promising talent. Notable examples include Tracey Scott Wilson's The Good Negro, which ran at The Public in 2009, and Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, a musical that enjoyed a sold-out, thrice-extended off-Broadway run at The Public in the spring of 2010 before transferring to Broadway that same fall, solidifying its status as a significant cultural event.
In 2011, the scope of Public LAB expanded to encompass Public LAB SHAKESPEARE, a new initiative designed to deepen The Public's exploration of the Shakespearean canon. This expansion represented a significant growth in The Public's Shakespeare Initiative, providing enhanced avenues for the theater to produce innovative and distinctly American interpretations of Shakespeare's enduring works. The inaugural production under the Public LAB SHAKESPEARE banner was Timon of Athens in March 2011, featuring the accomplished Richard Thomas in the titular role, a performance that undoubtedly brought a nuanced understanding to the complex character.
Since 2013, The Public's Mobile Unit has been a vital force in bringing free Shakespeare performances to underserved communities across New York City's five boroughs. This ambitious undertaking targets locations such as prisons, homeless shelters, and community centers, making the power of classical theater accessible to those who might otherwise be excluded. The tour culminates at The Public Theater itself, having previously made impactful stops at notable institutions like Rikers Island, Borden Avenue's Veteran's Shelter, and The Fortune Society. In the same year, The Public launched its inaugural Public Works production. Public Works is a groundbreaking initiative that unites diverse groups of New Yorkers from all five boroughs, fostering a shared experience of theater. Participants engage in theatrical workshops and ultimately perform in one full-scale Public Works production alongside professional actors during the summer's Shakespeare in the Park season. Past productions under the Public Works banner have included ambitious stagings of The Tempest, The Winter's Tale, and The Odyssey, each a testament to the collaborative spirit and the transformative power of communal artistic creation.
The Public Forum, established in 2010, serves as a dynamic platform for intellectual exchange, presenting a series of lectures, debates, and conversations featuring leading voices from the realms of arts, politics, and media. Curated by Jeremy McCarter, a distinguished writer for Newsweek, Public Forum events are thoughtfully designed to explore the complex issues raised by the plays currently featured in The Public's season, while also engaging with the pressing political and cultural headlines of the day. Notable figures who have participated in this series include the legendary composer Stephen Sondheim, the acclaimed playwright Tony Kushner, media mogul Arianna Huffington, the versatile actor Alec Baldwin, and the talented actress Anne Hathaway, among many others, creating a rich tapestry of perspectives and insights.
The Public Theater is also the proud host of the annual Under the Radar Festival, a globally recognized event that meticulously tracks and showcases the most innovative and cutting-edge new theater from around the world. Over its twelve-year history, the festival has presented an impressive roster of over 194 companies hailing from 40 different countries. The Under the Radar Festival has been instrumental in introducing audiences to the groundbreaking work of artists and ensembles such as Elevator Repair Service, Gob Squad, Belarus Free Theatre, and Young Jean Lee, consistently pushing the boundaries of theatrical form and content.
Furthermore, The Public Theater actively nurtures emerging talent through its Emerging Writers Group, a vital component of the Public Writers Initiative. This program is specifically designed to identify and support playwrights at the very nascent stages of their careers, providing them with the resources and guidance necessary to develop their craft. Complementing this is Public Studio, a performance series dedicated to the development of new works by emerging theater artists. Within this program, emerging playwrights are given the opportunity to stage a piece that exists in a transitional space between a workshop and a full production, presenting it to an audience. This allows them to gauge audience reaction, gather crucial feedback, and refine their work before a more extensive debut.
The Public Theater also demonstrates a profound commitment to theater education, investing in the training of classical actors through its annual summer acting intensive, known as the Shakespeare Lab. This program is designed as a professional actor development initiative, immersing a carefully selected cohort of mid-career actors in an intensive summer study focused on the rigors, challenges, and profound joys inherent in performing Shakespeare. For younger aspiring artists, The Public offers a range of educational programs tailored for teenagers, including Shakespeare Spring Break, Summer ShakeUP, and A Midsummer Day's Camp. These programs provide teenagers with opportunities to learn about and engage in the performance of Shakespeare's plays, fostering a new generation of theater enthusiasts and practitioners.
In a notable demonstration of artistic exploration, Suzan-Lori Parks, a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and the Master Writer Chair of The Public, debuted her unique performance piece Watch Me Work as part of the 2011 Under The Radar Festival. In this innovative performance, Parks engaged in her creative process by working on her newest writing project in the main lobby of The Public Theater, offering the public a rare glimpse into the act of creation itself.
Notable Works and Awards
The Public Theater has a distinguished history of productions that have not only resonated with audiences at its Astor Place home but have also successfully transferred to larger Broadway stages, achieving significant commercial and critical success. Among the most commercially successful of these transfers are the seminal musical Hair (1967), the groundbreaking dance musical A Chorus Line (1975), and the cultural phenomenon Hamilton (2015). These productions represent pivotal moments in musical theater history and underscore The Public's role as a crucial incubator for theatrical innovation.
The Public Theater's extensive list of accolades is a testament to its enduring artistic excellence. The organization has garnered an impressive 54 Tony Awards, the highest honor in American theater, along with 152 Obie Awards for Off-Broadway and Off-Off-Broadway productions, 42 Drama Desk Awards, and five Pulitzer Prizes, recognizing outstanding achievement in drama. In total, fifty-five productions originating at The Public Theater have made the transition to Broadway, a remarkable achievement that speaks to the quality and impact of its programming. These include: Sticks and Bones, That Championship Season, A Chorus Line, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf, The Pirates of Penzance, The Tempest, Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk, Michael John LaChiusa's The Wild Party, The Ride Down Mt. Morgan, Topdog/Underdog, Take Me Out, Caroline, or Change, Passing Strange, the revival of HAIR, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, The Merchant of Venice, The Normal Heart, Well, Fun Home, Hamilton, and Eclipsed. This extensive list represents a diverse range of genres and styles, reflecting The Public's broad artistic vision and its capacity to produce work that achieves both critical acclaim and popular appeal.
Astor Library Building
The Public Theater has called the landmarked Romanesque revival structure at 425 Lafayette Street its home since 1967. This magnificent building was originally constructed between 1853 and 1881 as the Astor Library, a testament to the philanthropic vision of the Astor family. The Astor Library later merged with the Tilden and Lenox collections to form the foundation of the New York Public Library. The construction of the library was initiated by William B. Astor, the son of the library's founder, John Jacob Astor. The architectural design was entrusted to the German-born architect Alexander Saeltzer, who was renowned for his work on the Anshe Chesed Synagogue. Saeltzer's design for the Astor Library employed the Rundbogenstil style, which was then the prevailing aesthetic for public buildings in Germany, lending the structure a distinct European character. Astor generously funded two subsequent expansions of the building, extending it towards Astor Place. These expansions were designed by architects Griffith Thomas (1856–1869) and Thomas Stent (1879–1881). The genius of the design lay in its seamless integration; both major expansions were executed with such fidelity to Saeltzer's original vision that it is virtually impossible for an observer to discern the building's construction in three distinct stages.
In 1920, the building found a new purpose when it was acquired by the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society. By 1965, however, the grand structure had fallen into disuse and was facing the threat of demolition. It was at this critical juncture that The Public Theater, then known as the New York Shakespeare Festival, intervened, successfully persuading the city to purchase the building for its preservation and conversion into a theatrical venue. The transformation of the building for theater use was undertaken by architect Giorgio Cavaglieri between 1967 and 1976, a meticulous process that breathed new life into the historic space.
The significance of the building was formally recognized in 1965 when it was designated a New York City Landmark. This designation was particularly noteworthy as it was among the very first buildings to receive such recognition from the newly established Landmarks Preservation Commission of New York City, highlighting its architectural and historical importance from the outset.
In 2009, The Public Theater launched its ambitious "Going Public" campaign, a fundraising initiative aimed at securing the necessary capital for a comprehensive renovation of the historic building. The groundbreaking ceremony for this 40 million. This extensive renovation not only preserved the building's historic character but also modernized its facilities to better serve the needs of The Public Theater and its patrons.
Public Works Productions
In 2013, The Public Theater introduced Public Works, an initiative dedicated to fostering community engagement through the performing arts. This program brings together diverse groups of individuals from across all five boroughs of New York City, creating a shared experience centered around theater. Participants are invited to attend performances, engage in theatrical workshops, and ultimately collaborate in the creation and performance of one full-scale Public Works production. This production is typically staged alongside professional actors as part of the annual Shakespeare in the Park season. Past Public Works productions have included ambitious and moving stagings of The Tempest, The Winter's Tale, and The Odyssey, each serving as a powerful example of how theater can unite communities and amplify diverse voices. Further expanding on this initiative, two productions, Shaina Taub's adaptations of Twelfth Night and As You Like It, were later remounted as full Shakespeare in the Park productions in 2018 and 2022, respectively, demonstrating the enduring success and artistic merit of the Public Works program.
| Year | Work Performed | Director | Notable Cast Members
The Public Theater, a beacon of artistic innovation in New York City, stands as a testament to the enduring power of theater. Its physical address at 425 Lafayette Street in Manhattan is more than just a location; it's the site of countless transformative artistic experiences. The building itself, a designated New York City Landmark, is the former Astor Library, a structure that has witnessed the ebb and flow of history. Its coordinates, 40°43′45″N 73°59′30″W / 40.72917°N 73.99167°W / 40.72917; -73.99167, anchor it firmly within the city's cultural fabric. The Public Theater is a prominent fixture in the Off-Broadway landscape, offering a diverse array of performance spaces: the LuEsther theater with a capacity of 160, the Martinson at 199, the Shiva at 99, the Newman accommodating 299, and the Anspacher seating 275. The theater first opened its doors in its current iteration in 1967, a date that marks a significant chapter in its storied history. Those seeking more information can visit its official website at publictheater.org.
The Public Theater's legacy began in 1954, founded by the visionary Joseph Papp as the Shakespeare Workshop. Papp's initial vision was to nurture and support emerging playwrights and performers, creating a fertile ground for new artistic voices to flourish. This foundational mission continues to be a guiding principle for the organization. The theater's very first production, the revolutionary musical Hair, debuted in 1967, immediately signaling its commitment to bold, socially relevant, and boundary-pushing theatrical work. Since Papp's influential leadership, The Public Theater has been guided by a series of distinguished artistic directors. JoAnne Akalaitis led the institution from 1991 to 1993, followed by George C. Wolfe, who served from 1993 to 2004. Currently, Oskar Eustis holds the position of Artistic Director, with Patrick Willingham as Executive Director, jointly steering the organization's artistic and operational endeavors.
The Public's headquarters, situated in the historic Astor Library building at 425 Lafayette Street in Lower Manhattan, is a vibrant nexus of artistic activity. Within its walls, audiences can experience performances across five distinct theater spaces. Adjacent to these is Joe's Pub, a renowned cabaret-style venue that serves as a platform for a wide range of artistic expressions, including new works, musical performances, spoken-word artists, and solo musicians. In addition to its indoor facilities, The Public Theater extends its reach to the iconic Delacorte Theater in Central Park. For decades, this beloved outdoor venue has hosted the theater's celebrated "Shakespeare in the Park" series, providing free access to Shakespeare's masterpieces for the public since its inception in 1954. This dedication to free programming exemplifies The Public's commitment to democratizing access to the arts.
The Public Theater has consistently presented productions that have garnered both critical acclaim and significant popular attention. Among its recent notable productions are: The Merchant of Venice (2010), a poignant exploration of justice and prejudice; Here Lies Love (2013), a dynamic musical chronicling the life of Imelda Marcos; Fun Home (2013), a Tony Award-winning musical adaptation of Alison Bechdel's memoir; Eclipsed (2015), a powerful drama by Danai Gurira set during the Liberian civil war; and the revolutionary musical Hamilton (2015), which redefined the landscape of American musical theater. These productions, each in its own unique way, reflect The Public's commitment to artistic excellence and its ability to engage with contemporary issues through the medium of theater.
Programs and Series
The Public Theater's commitment to artistic innovation extends beyond its mainstage productions through a robust offering of diverse programs and series. These initiatives are designed to foster new work, engage diverse communities, and provide platforms for artists at various stages of their careers.
Since 2008, The Public has presented its Public LAB series, an annual showcase dedicated to the development and presentation of new plays. This series often involves collaborations with other theater companies, such as the LAByrinth Theater Company, and provides a vital space for playwrights to test and refine their work. A key component of Public LAB is its accompanying speaker series, which features after-show talkbacks designed to explore the complex themes, ideas, and societal issues presented in the plays. This approach aims to deepen audience engagement and foster critical dialogue. Several plays that have premiered within the Public LAB series have gone on to full-scale productions, demonstrating the series' success in identifying and cultivating promising new dramatic works. Notable examples include Tracey Scott Wilson's The Good Negro, which was staged at The Public in 2009, and the musical Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, which enjoyed a highly successful off-Broadway run at The Public in 2010 before transferring to Broadway, garnering significant critical and commercial attention.
In 2011, the Public LAB expanded to include Public LAB SHAKESPEARE, a dedicated platform for The Public's engagement with the Shakespearean canon. This expansion marked a significant growth in The Public's Shakespeare Initiative, creating more opportunities to produce innovative and culturally relevant interpretations of Shakespeare's works for American audiences. The first production under this new banner was Timon of Athens in March 2011, with the esteemed Richard Thomas taking on the title role.
Since 2013, The Public's Mobile Unit has been instrumental in bringing free Shakespeare performances to various communities throughout New York City's five boroughs, including correctional facilities, homeless shelters, and community centers. This initiative ensures that the accessibility of classical theater extends to those who may face barriers to attending traditional performances. The tour typically concludes at The Public Theater, having previously visited significant locations such as Rikers Island, Borden Avenue's Veteran's Shelter, and The Fortune Society. Concurrently, in 2013, The Public launched its inaugural Public Works production. This ambitious program unites diverse groups of people from across New York City to engage with theater, participate in workshops, and perform in a full-scale production alongside professional actors during the Shakespeare in the Park season. Past Public Works productions have included significant stagings of The Tempest, The Winter's Tale, and The Odyssey, showcasing the power of collaborative storytelling and community involvement.
The Public Forum, established in 2010, is a vital series of lectures, debates, and conversations that feature prominent figures from the arts, politics, and media. Curated by Jeremy McCarter, a senior writer at Newsweek, Public Forum events delve into the themes explored in The Public's season productions and address contemporary political and cultural issues. Notable participants have included the legendary composer Stephen Sondheim, the celebrated playwright Tony Kushner, media entrepreneur Arianna Huffington, actor Alec Baldwin, and actress Anne Hathaway, among others, fostering intellectual engagement and public discourse.
The Public Theater also hosts the annual Under the Radar Festival, an internationally recognized event dedicated to showcasing new and experimental theater from around the globe. Over the past twelve years, the festival has presented an impressive array of over 194 companies from 40 countries, highlighting groundbreaking work by artists such as Elevator Repair Service, Gob Squad, Belarus Free Theatre, and Young Jean Lee. This festival has become a crucial platform for discovering and promoting innovative theatrical practices worldwide.
The Public actively supports emerging talent through its Emerging Writers Group, a key component of the Public Writers Initiative, which targets playwrights at the earliest stages of their careers. Additionally, Public Studio offers a performance series dedicated to the development of new works by emerging theater artists. This program allows playwrights to present pieces in a format that bridges a workshop and a full production, providing valuable audience feedback and opportunities for further development.
The Public Theater is deeply invested in theater education, offering the annual Shakespeare Lab, a summer acting intensive designed to train classical actors. This professional development program immerses selected actors in a rigorous exploration of Shakespearean performance. For teenagers, The Public provides educational programs such as Shakespeare Spring Break, Summer ShakeUP, and A Midsummer Day's Camp, all aimed at fostering an interest in and understanding of Shakespeare and theatrical performance.
In a unique artistic endeavor, Suzan-Lori Parks, a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and Master Writer Chair at The Public, debuted her performance piece Watch Me Work during the 2011 Under The Radar Festival. In this performance, Parks engaged in her writing process in the main lobby of The Public Theater, offering the audience a direct glimpse into her creative methodology.
Notable Works and Awards
A significant number of productions staged at The Public Theater have successfully transferred to larger Broadway theaters, achieving considerable commercial and critical success. Among the most notable and commercially successful of these are the iconic musical Hair (1967), the groundbreaking dance musical A Chorus Line (1975), and the cultural phenomenon Hamilton (2015). These productions highlight The Public's role as a crucial incubator for theatrical innovation that resonates with a broad audience.
The Public Theater's extensive list of accolades is a testament to its enduring artistic excellence and significant contributions to American theater. The institution has been honored with 54 Tony Awards, 152 Obie Awards, 42 Drama Desk Awards, and five Pulitzer Prizes. Furthermore, fifty-five productions that originated at The Public Theater have subsequently transferred to Broadway, a remarkable achievement that underscores the quality and impact of its programming. These productions include: Sticks and Bones, That Championship Season, A Chorus Line, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf, The Pirates of Penzance, The Tempest, Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk, Michael John LaChiusa's The Wild Party, The Ride Down Mt. Morgan, Topdog/Underdog, Take Me Out, Caroline, or Change, Passing Strange, the revival of HAIR, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, The Merchant of Venice, The Normal Heart, Well, Fun Home, Hamilton, and Eclipsed. This impressive roster demonstrates The Public's consistent ability to produce work that achieves both critical acclaim and broad public appeal, solidifying its position as a vital institution in the American theater landscape.
Astor Library Building
The Public Theater has been housed in a landmarked Romanesque revival structure at 425 Lafayette Street since 1967. This building, originally constructed between 1853 and 1881, served as the Astor Library. The Astor Library was later instrumental in the formation of the New York Public Library through its merger with the Tilden and Lenox collections. The library's construction was funded by William B. Astor, son of the library's founder, John Jacob Astor. The architectural design was undertaken by German-born architect Alexander Saeltzer, who was known for his work on the Anshe Chesed Synagogue. Saeltzer's design for the Astor Library was executed in the Rundbogenstil style, which was then the prevailing architectural idiom for public buildings in Germany. Astor also funded two significant expansions of the building towards Astor Place, designed by Griffith Thomas (1856–1869) and Thomas Stent (1879–1881). These additions were so skillfully integrated with Saeltzer's original design that the edifice appears as a cohesive whole, despite being constructed in three distinct phases.
In 1920, the building was purchased by the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society. By 1965, the building had fallen into disuse and was slated for demolition. It was at this critical juncture that The Public Theater, then known as the New York Shakespeare Festival, successfully advocated for the city to acquire the building for use as a theater. The conversion of the building for theatrical purposes was carried out by architect Giorgio Cavaglieri between 1967 and 1976.
The building's historical and architectural significance was formally recognized in 1965 when it was designated a New York City Landmark. This designation was particularly notable as it was one of the earliest buildings recognized by the newly established Landmarks Preservation Commission of New York City.
In 2009, The Public Theater initiated its "Going Public" campaign, a fundraising effort aimed at generating funds for a major renovation of the historic building. The groundbreaking ceremony for this 40 million. This renovation ensured the preservation of the building's historic integrity while enhancing its functionality for contemporary theatrical production and presentation.
Public Works Productions
In 2013, The Public Theater launched Public Works, an initiative designed to foster community engagement through the creation of large-scale theatrical productions. This program brings together diverse groups of people from across New York City's five boroughs, encouraging them to participate in theatrical workshops and culminating in the performance of one full-scale Public Works production alongside professional actors. These productions are often presented as part of the theater's Shakespeare in the Park season. Past Public Works productions have included notable stagings of The Tempest, The Winter's Tale, and The Odyssey. Demonstrating the program's success and artistic merit, two Public Works productions, Shaina Taub's adaptations of Twelfth Night and As You Like It, were later remounted as full Shakespeare in the Park productions in 2018 and 2022, respectively, underscoring the program's impact and artistic resonance.
| Year | Work performed | Director | Notable cast members