Public Theater to Launch New Website this Month

The Public Theater will launch a new, state-of-the-art website this month. The site, building upon the recent revitalization of The Public's downtown home at Astor Place, establishes a dynamic and engaging digital home at Publictheater.org. The LuEsther T. Mertz Charitable Trust, a long-time funder and supporter for two generations, has awarded The Public a grant supporting this effort and the creation and implementation of innovative field-leading business strategies for The Public Theater. The grant, intended to help ensure the future viability of the institution, includes funds for the redesign and re-launch of Publictheater.org which now incorporates joespub.com and shakespeareinthepark.org.

"This grant - totaling $3 million in direct support and an additional $1 million to be matched -continues to build upon the extraordinary vision of LuEsther T. Mertz which began over four decades ago with her support of Joe Papp and The Public Theater. We are extremely grateful to The LuEsther T. Mertz Charitable Trust for their unwavering support and generosity," said Executive Director Patrick Willingham. "Our new website, Publictheater.org, is just one example of how the Trust is helping The Public enter the next phase of its life as a sustainable, mission driven institution. We hope more audiences will discover and re-discover The Public Theater just by visiting our new site."

With the launch of the new website, The Public now showcases all programs and events in one digital space, with separate websites joespub.com, shakespeareinthepark.org, among others, seamlessly folded into the institution's main website, Publictheater.org. Built in Responsive Design, an optimal viewing and interaction experience on mobile phones, tablets, and computers, Publictheater.org features easy access to details about all events and productions in every venue, ease of purchases to all shows in the same transaction and increased opportunities for donors to support The Public via a number of options for online contribution. Designed by Pentagram under the direction of Partners Paula Scher and Eddie Opara, with full production work by Adage Technologies, the new website will officially launch on March 27 after a limited soft-launch period.

The LuEsther T. Mertz Charitable Trust has challenged The Public to match a portion of its grant with an additional $1 million in new funding from other supporters. The new website allows patrons to help leverage this gift by contributing to the Mertz Match Campaign at Publictheater.org. Supporters can participate in the matching grant challenge in several ways: make a donation of any amount; add the suggested donation to their cart when making a purchase on the website; or adding a 'round up' donation to the end of a purchase - all of those dollars go directly to the campaign. These matching gifts will help support The Public's ongoing mission of arts and culture for all. For questions about this matching campaign or to support The Public Theater by contributing to The LuEsther T. Mertz Matching Challenge Grant, please visit Publictheater.org.

"The LuEsther T. Mertz Charitable Trust has been the backbone of The Public Theater for over two generations," said Artistic Director Oskar Eustis. "Their wisdom, guidance, and generosity have made all the difference to The Public: without them, we would be a shadow of what we are. Back in 1975, LuEsther personally made our transfer of A Chorus Line to Broadway possible; in the decades since, the Trust that bears her name has stood by us, in success and in challenge, to continue the work she cherished. Our deepest thanks to the Trustees and to LuEsther, models of what philanthropy can and should be."