Theater Profile

The Public Theater in New York City is an American theater known for their professional works. The history of this theatrical company goes back a few decades. The Public Theater produces original material to Shakespeare productions. It is a renowned company that earns the respect of theater scholars. The location in New York City speaks for itself when it comes to reputation. A lot of theater resides in the Big Apple, but only the prestigious are lucky enough to land the location.

The Public Theater was founded in the 1950s by a man named Joseph Papp. Papp was a Shakespeare enthusiast and worked the theater into a Shakespeare workshop. Nowadays, it is a well respected cultural institution. The Public Theater was located on Lafayette Street after they turned the Astor Library into the Public Theater in 1967. The first musical premiere held at the Public Theater was Hair. This company also took advantage of a park stage in the summer called Delacorte Stage. Currently, the Public Theater’s performance location is Joe’s Pub.

Different types of material are produced by the company. They show a variety of plays, musicals, and productions. They originate their own material or remake a production to their style. Major productions of Shakespeare are staged here due to their founder. The writers of material are a part of a group, New York Now, which promotes talented writers and artists for the upcoming generation of theater. As the writers have their own group, the performers have an establishment of their own. The Public trains performers through a summer class called Shakespeare Lab; it allows The Public Theater to emerge the classical performers of tomorrow.

“The Public Theater is dedicated to achieving artistic excellence while developing an American theater that is accessible and relevant to all people…” –The Public Theater’s Mission Statement

The mission of The Public Theater is to direct those who attend toward the philosophy of inclusion. Sometimes, inclusion can take on various forms. The availability of tickets including the cost is kept at a minimum to catch the attention of those who are interested. The company doesn’t gear their material toward a certain audience, but take age, race, and experience into consideration to attract those of all kind.

The major regional theater company offers internships to those who are interested. While in attendance, they gain many skills out of the non-profit organization. They are teamed with expert mentors to get the best type of education possible, practice. Oskar Eustis, the Artistic Director of The Public Theater, will make sure those who are attending will not leave without an immense gain of knowledge.

Checking out their website really caught my eye. They have been recognized for numerous awards and for producing some of the best writers and performers out there in the theater world today. On the theater’s 50th anniversary, it received the Drama Desk Award in honor of recognition. Not to mention the theater earned 40 Tony Awards. Their honor of professionalism and talent is what made me look deeper into the work they do.