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THE PUBLIC is theater of, by, and for all people. Artist-driven, radically inclusive, and fundamentally democratic, The Public continues the work of its visionary founder Joe Papp as a civic institution engaging, both on-stage and off, with some of the most important ideas and social issues of today. Conceived over 60 years ago as one of the nation's first nonprofit theaters, The Public has long operated on the principles that theater is an essential cultural force and that art and culture belong to everyone. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Oskar Eustis and Executive Director Patrick Willingham, The Public's wide breadth of programming includes an annual season of new work at its landmark home at Astor Place, Free Shakespeare in the Park at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park, The Mobile Unit touring throughout New York City's five boroughs, Public Forum, Under the Radar, Public Studio, Public Works, Public Shakespeare Initiative, and Joe's Pub. Since premiering HAIR in 1967, The Public continues to create the canon of American Theater and is currently represented on Broadway by the Tony Award-winning musical Hamilton by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Their programs and productions can also be seen regionally across the country and around the world. The Public has received 59 Tony Awards, 170 Obie Awards, 53 Drama Desk Awards, 54 Lortel Awards, 32 Outer Critic Circle Awards, 13 New York Drama Critics' Circle Awards, and 6 Pulitzer Prizes. publictheater.org

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The Public Theater Awards and Nominations


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2020 - Special Award

Public Theater


winner
Tony Awards - 2016 - Best Musical

The Public TheaterHamilton


winner
- 2011 - Best Play Revival

The Public Theater, The Merchant of Venice

Tony Awards - 2011 - Best Play

The Public Theater, The Motherf**ker with the Hat


winner
Obie Awards - 1992 - Special Citations for the conception and design

The Public Theater, Tis Pity She's a Whore

The Public Theater Videos

The Public Theater News


Photos: Renee Elise Goldsberry, Jelani Alladin, and More Turn Out for the Public Theater Public Works Gala

On June 4, The Public and the Broadway production of SUFFS joined together to celebrate one of the major artistic programs of The Public, Public Works. See photos from inside the starry event below as Tony-winner Renee Elise Goldbery, Jelani Alladin, Rebecca Naomi Jones, and more turn out to celebrate!
Video: Go Inside Rehearsals With Danielle Wade & The Cast Of SOUTH PACIFIC at Goodspeed

Watch as Danielle Wade and the cast of Goodspeed's South Pacific rehearse 'A Wonderful Guy' ahead of the production's first performance on June 14th, 2024.
Review: THE COFFIN MAKER Deftly Blends Genres at Pittsburgh Public Theater

Folks, this is a first. I've been writing reviews for BWW for about ten years now, and rarely have I seen a new work that so deftly and fearlessly blends genres and tones together. Director Monteze Freeland and playwright Mark Clayton Southers have achieved the impossible: The Coffin Maker is an exercise in theatrical flexibility that truly must be seen to be understood.
Photos: Go Inside Opening Night of The Public Theater's Mobile Unit Tour of COMEDY OF ERRORS

Last Thursday marked Opening Night of The Public Theater’s Mobile Unit tour of the bilingual musical adaptation of THE COMEDY OF ERRORS with a performance at New York Public Library/Bryant Park. Check out photos from the festivities here!
Ana Villafañe Sings 'U-Haul' From WHERE WE ARE By Rae Covey

Watch Ana Villafañe perform 'U-Haul' from Rae Covey's song cycle WHERE WE ARE.
TCG Reveals Recipients of 2024 Rising Leaders of Color Program

Theatre Communications Group has revealed the participants in the eighth round of its Rising Leaders of Color Program. See who is taking part.
Natalie Joy Johnson Joins NIGHT OF A THOUSAND JUDYS at Joe's Pub

Natalie Joy Johnson joins the cast of NIGHT OF A THOUSAND JUDYS at Joe's Pub on June 3. Learn how to purchase tickets.
West Boca Community Theatre To Celebrate The Legacy of Joe Papp This June

Join the West Boca Community Theater on June 22nd for a musical celebration honoring the legacy of Joe Papp, a pivotal figure in American theater.
Audra McDonald Will Return to Broadway This Fall in GYPSY; Hear Her Sing in New Trailer

It's official! six-time Tony Award Winner Audra McDonald will return to Broadway this fall, taking on what is widely regarded as the greatest role in musical theatre, “Rose” in GYPSY. We have all of the details!
World Premiere of I'M ALMOST THERE Comes to Edinburgh Fringe

The world premiere of I’m Almost There is coming to Edinburgh Fringe in August. Written and performed by Todd Almond , and Directed by David Cromer, performances run 1st – 26th August at Summerhall, Main Hall @ 14.45.
Photos: The Public Theater's Mobile Unit Presents THE COMEDY OF ERRORS

See production photos of The Public Theater’s Mobile Unit tour of the bilingual musical adaptation of THE COMEDY OF ERRORS.
Frank Silvera Writers' Workshop Closes Virtual Play Reading Series with IMPOSSIBLE THEORIES OF US

The Frank Silvera Writers' Workshop, in partnership with the Billie Holiday Theatre, will continue its Sunday Virtual Play Reading Series on Zoom with Impossible Theories of Us by John Mabey.
Frank Silvera Writers' Workshop & Billie Holiday Theatre to Present IMPOSSIBLE THEORIES OF US

The Frank Silvera Writers' Workshop and Billie Holiday Theatre will present a virtual reading of IMPOSSIBLE THEORIES OF US on May 26, 2024.
Patricia Milton's Play ACCUSED! Opens This July At Central Works

Patricia Milton's play ACCUSED! opens on July 13 at Central Works, marking the final comic caper in the series.
Photos: Look Inside The Twenty Nine Hour Venture's Benefit Reading Of SHAME BOMB

The Twenty Nine Hour Venture have shared first look photos of the development of the new play, SHAME BOMB by Ed Clark, directed by Chari Arespacochaga. The benefit reading took place at Theatre Row on May 17, 2024. 
Ariana DeBose, Alan Cumming, Darren Criss, Shoshana Bean, & Aaron Lazar Headline BROADWAY AND VINE Concerts

Broadway and Vine kicks off its 2024 season on July 9 and 10 at 7:30PM, with Academy Award-winner Ariana DeBose at Carneros Resort Vineyard Lawn.
West End Star Bradley Jaden Makes His US Debut Live In Concert At Sony Hall In June

West End star Bradley Jaden makes his US debut at Sony Hall on June 3rd, with special guest Shoshana Bean, a two-time Tony Award and Grammy nominee.
Video: Hear 'Time and Place' From PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK

BroadwayWorld premieres a song from the upcoming musical PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK, directed by Jo Bonney. See the video!
Feature: The VIPS Behind The Curtain at the Ziegfeld Ballroom!

The 2024 Drama League Awards were held on May 17th at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York City, marking a spectacular celebration of theatrical excellence!
The DOWNTOWN URBAN ARTS FESTIVAL Announces 22nd Season Lineup

The Downtown Urban Arts Festival returns for its 22nd season from June 12-29 at Theatre Row.

The Public Theater FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What awards has The Public Theater been nominated for?

The Public Theater has been nominated for various awards including a Special Award at the Drama Desk Awards, Best Musical for "Hamilton" at the Tony Awards, Best Play Revival for "The Merchant of Venice," Best Play for "The Motherf**ker with the Hat" at the Tony Awards, and Special Citations for the conception and design at the Obie Awards for "Tis Pity She's a Whore."

What awards has The Public Theater won?

The Public Theater has won several prestigious awards, including a Special Award from the Drama Desk Awards, Best Musical at the Tony Awards for "Hamilton," Best Play Revival for "The Merchant of Venice," and Special Citations for the conception and design at the Obie Awards for "Tis Pity She's a Whore."

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