Public Theater

The Public Theater is a New York City arts organization. It was founded in 1954 by Joseph Papp as The Shakespeare Workshop, intending to showcase the works of up-and-coming playwrights and performers. Its current leadership, are Artistic Director Oskar Eustis and executive director Mara Manus.

Related Topics:
New York City - 1954 - Joseph Papp - Oskar Eustis - Mara Manus

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The Public Theater prides itself on presenting "challenging work". This has a variety of meanings, including artistic heterodoxy. It also reflects the Public Theater's role as a voice of the American social and political Left. Many of its productions are considered avant-garde and not likely to find a home in theaters catering to a mainstream audience.

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The Public Theater is headquartered in its eponymous venue, The Public Theater, the former Astor Library in the Greenwich Village section of lower Manhattan at 425 Lafayette Street. The venue opened in 1967, mounting the world-premiere production of the musical Hair as its first show.

Related Topics:
Astor Library - Greenwich Village - Manhattan - 1967 - Hair

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In addition to the main theater, the site includes Joe's Pub, a cabaret-style setting used for new work, musical performances, spoken-word artists and soloists. The Public also operates the Delacorte Theater in Central Park, where it presents its free Shakespeare in Central Park performances of Shakespeare plays during the summer months. These production attract well-known actors as players and sell out. For example the 2004 production, Much Ado About Nothing, featured Dominic Chianese, Kristen Johnston, Jimmy Smits, and Sam Waterston.

Related Topics:
Joe's Pub - Delacorte Theater - Central Park - Shakespeare - 2004 - Much Ado About Nothing - Dominic Chianese - Kristen Johnston - Jimmy Smits - Sam Waterston

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The company also invests in theater education, training classical actors through the annual summer acting intensive the Shakespeare Lab.

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