THE PUBLIC HISTORY


Joseph Papp founded The Public Theater as the Shakespeare Workshop in 1954 with the vision of bringing Shakespeare to the people for free. Joe’s troupe of young actors presented Shakespeare productions throughout New York City’s fi ve boroughs in churches, and on mobile stages set up in public parks. In 1962, based on the popularity of this program, the City built the 1,881-seat Delacorte Theater in Central Park for The Public’s use and free Shakespeare in the Park was born. Five years later, with the musical HAIR, Joe opened a Lower Manhattan facility in the former Astor Library building on 425 Lafayette Street. This building still serves as The Public Theater’s headquarters.


The Public’s dedication to artists, directors and performers has shaped the face of American theater and nurtured talents such as Don Cheadle, Caryl Churchill, Mos Def, Morgan Freeman, Jonathan Groff, Anne Hathaway, Ed Harris, Kevin Kline, Tony Kushner, John Leguizamo, Tarell Alvin McCraney, Suzan-Lori Parks, Tonya Pinkins, Vanessa Redgrave, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Mercedes Ruehl, Liev Schreiber, Stew, Jimmy Smits, Patrick Stewart, Meryl Streep, Daniel Sullivan, Denzel Washington, Sam Waterston, and many, many more. The Public has brought 52 shows to Broadway including A Chorus Line; The Pirates Of Penzance; Sticks And Bones; That Championship Season; Two Gentleman of Verona, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf, Bring In ‘Da Noise, Bring In ‘Da Funk; On The Town; The Ride Down Mt. Morgan; Topdog/ Underdog; Elaine Stritch At Liberty; Take Me Out; Caroline, Or Change; Well; Passing Strange; and the recent Tony Award- winning revival of Hair, to name a few.


The Public Theater’s diverse programming is as popular with artists and audiences as ever, and is seen by New York City residents from all fi ve boroughs and beyond. Each year approximately 300,000 artists, audiences, and students attend or participate in The Public’s free or low-cost programming offered 52 weeks of the year. The Public gives away more free tickets than any other theater in the country, and an estimated fi ve million people have attended Shakespeare in the Park for free since its creation.


Over the past 57 years, The Public Theater has matured into an iconic American institution dedicated to embracing the complexities of the modern world. Today The Public Theater continues to be a place of inclusion with programming that brings together an international community of artists and audiences, provides opportunities for exchange and debate, and refl ects the country’s diverse voices, rhythms and cultures.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32