Ensemble Studio Theatre

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Ensemble Studio Theatre BIO

Ensemble Studio Theatre (William Carden, Artistic Director; Paul A. Slee, Executive Director) -- commonly known as EST -- was founded by Curt Dempster in 1968 on the belief that extraordinary support yields extraordinary work. It is a dynamic and expanding family of theatre people committed to the discovery and nurturing of new voices, and the continued support and growth of artists throughout their creative lives. Its ensemble works together repeatedly over time to develop and produce original, provocative, and authentic new plays. With 591 ensemble artists concentrated mainly in New York City, EST has been under the artistic direction of William Carden since 2007. EST was honored with 2012 Obie Awards for its under-30 playwrights program, Youngblood, and for Ensemble artist Steven Boyer for his outstanding performance in 2011's breakout success, Hand To God, developed and originally produced by EST. Hand To God opened to rave reviews at the Booth Theater on Broadway in March 2015, and is now nominated for five Tony Awards. EST received two 2013 Drama Desk Award Nominations for its sold-out production of Finks by Joe Gilford. In 2014 its original production Year of the Rooster, by Eric Dufault, garnered a 2014 Drama Desk Award best featured actor nomination for Bobby Moreno and a NY Outer Critics Circle John Gassner Award for Eric Dufault for an outstanding Off Broadway debut by a playwright.

Ensemble Studio Theatre Productions

 
[Off-Broadway, 2004]
Producer
 
[Off-Off-Broadway, 1986]
Producer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1984]
Producer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1979]
Producer

Ensemble Studio Theatre Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2015 - Special Award

Ensemble Studio Theatre, When January Feels Like Summer

Tony Awards - 2015 - Best Play

Ensemble Studio Theatre, Hand to God

Helen Hayes Awards - 2010 - Outstanding Resident Musical

Studio TheatreAdding Machine: A Musical

Helen Hayes Awards - 2008 - Outstanding Resident Play

Studio TheatreSouvenir, A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins

Helen Hayes Awards - 2006 - Outstanding Non-Resident Production

Studio TheatreRicky Jay and His 52 Assistants

Helen Hayes Awards - 2002 - Outstanding Resident Play

Studio TheatreThe Invention of Love

Helen Hayes Awards - 2001 - Outstanding Resident Play

Studio TheatreMASTER HAROLD ... and the boys

Helen Hayes Awards - 1997 - Outstanding Resident Musical

Studio TheatreHip 2: Birth of the Boom

Helen Hayes Awards - 1992 - Outstanding Resident Production

Studio TheatreWhen I Was a Girl I Used to Scream and Shout

Helen Hayes Awards - 1991 - Outstanding Resident Production

Studio TheatreFrankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune

Ensemble Studio Theatre Videos

Ensemble Studio Theatre News


West Coast Premiere of 'A' TRAIN Comes to Rubicon Theatre

Rubicon Theatre will continue the company’s 25th Anniversary Season with the West Coast Premiere run of “A” TRAIN, an award-winning play-with-music about a mother’s journey on the autism train.

Photos: Inside the 2024 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize Ceremony

The 2024 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize has been awarded to UK playwright Ava Pickett for her play 1536.  Awarded annually since 1978, The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize is the largest and oldest international award recognizing women+ who have written works of outstanding quality for the English-speaking theatre. See photos from inside the ceremony here.

Tipping Point Theatre to Present Michigan's First Production Of THE SQUIRRELS

Tipping Point Theatre will conclude its 16th theatrical season with the Michigan premiere production of The Squirrels by Robert Askins. Learn how to purchase tickets.

Ensemble Studio Theatre Announces 2024 FIRST LIGHT FESTIVAL

Ensemble Studio Theatre and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation have announced the line-up for the 2024 First Light Festival, part of the EST/Sloan Project to develop plays exploring science and technology.

2024 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize Awarded to Ava Pickett for 1536

The 2024 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize has been awarded to UK playwright Ava Pickett for her play 1536. Learn more about Pickett and the award!

Holocaust Museum LA to Present Staged Reading of ORDINARY GIRLS

Join Holocaust Museum LA for a staged reading of the new play ORDINARY GIRLS, based on the true story of teenagers recruited by the Dutch underground during WWII. Learn how to take part.

Road Theatre Company Will Perform Two Premiere Productions in Repertory

THE ROAD THEATRE COMPANY will present two world premiere plays performing in repertory, HIGH MAINTENANCE by Peter Ritt and directed by Stan Zimmerman & SINGULARITIES or the Computers of Venus, written and directed by Laura Stribling. 

AS YOU LIKE IT, THE TEMPEST & More Set for 2024 St. Louis Shakespeare Festival

The St. Louis Shakespeare Festival has revealed its line-up for their 24th season of free Shakespeare with As You Like It as the mainstage production. See the lineup and learn how to purchase tickets.

Canadian Opera Company to Present DON PASQUALE This Spring

The Canadian Opera Company will usher in spring with a feel-good comedy that hasn't been seen on the COC stage in 30 years: Don Pasquale by Gaetano Donizetti. Learn more about the opera and see how to purchase tickets.

Northern California Theatres Team Up For THE HEART SELLERS

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, Aurora Theatre Company, and Capital Stage will team up to co-produce the Northern California Premiere of The Heart Sellers.

MESSY WHITE GAYS Will Hold Four Public Readings In April

The Fabulous Invalid has announced that Messy White Gays, a new play written by Drew Droege, will have a four performance public reading at the SoHo Playhouse.

Interview: Nick Ullett Throws A THEATRICAL CATASTROPHE of THE BIRTHDAY PARTY

Nick Ullett’s The Birthday Party: A Theatrical Catastrophe world premiered March 2, 2024 at the Rogue Machine at the Matrix. Lisa James directs Nick in his real-life account of the cancellation of The Birthday Party in 2014. After a successful opening weekend, Nick found some time to answer a few of my queries.

Kate Walsh & More to Star in JORDANS World Premiere at The Public Theater

The Public Theater has revealed the complete cast for the world premiere of JORDANS written by Ife Olujobi and directed by Obie Award winner Whitney White. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.

Deborah Zoe Laufer's BE HERE NOW to Open WAM Theatre 15th Anniversary Season

WAM Theatre will kick off its 15th Anniversary Season with a Fresh Takes Play Reading of Be Here Now written by Deborah Zoe Laufer. Learn how to purchase tickets.

Cast and Creative Team Set for AN AMERICAN SOLDIER at Perelman Performing Arts Center

The Perelman Performing Arts Center has revealed the complete and creative team for An American Soldier at the new performing arts center at the World Trade Center site in Lower Manhattan.

Cast Set for Majkin Holmquist's STARGAZERS World Premiere at Page 73

Page 73 has revealed the cast and creative team of its upcoming world premiere production of 2024 Tow Foundation Playwright-in-Residence at Page 73 Majkin Holmquist's Stargazers. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.

New Work Series WITCHES, QUEERS AND CLOWNS Will Bring A Host of Radical Artists to HERE in March

The three-week performance series will feature music, theater, comedy and cabaret work from Matt Bovee, Scout Davis, Amy Jo Jackson, Dan Mills and Ben Thornewill, Kristin McCarthy Parker, Adam J. Rineer, and others, as well as the world premiere of Witches!? In Salem?! by Matt Cox (Puffs).

Jason Alexander to Star in JUDGMENT DAY at Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Chicago Shakespeare Theater has revealed the full company of Judgment Day, a world premiere comedy starring Tony and Emmy Award winner Jason Alexander in his Chicago stage debut.

Brave New World Rep To Present the World Premiere Award-Winning Play, LENI'S LAST LAMENT

Explore the controversial legacy of Leni Riefenstahl in the one-woman play that won top awards at United Solo Fest. Presented at Brooklyn’s Brave New World Rep from March 15-30.

Fountain Theatre Co-Founding Artistic Director Stephen Sachs Will Retire

After 34 years as artistic director, Fountain Theatre co-founder Stephen Sachs has announced his retirement at the end of 2024.

Ensemble Studio Theatre FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Ensemble Studio Theatre has been nominated for various awards, including a Special Award at the Drama Desk Awards for "When January Feels Like Summer," Best Play at the Tony Awards for "Hand to God," and a Special Citation: Ross Wetzsteon Grant at the Obie Awards for "Youngblood." They have also received nominations at the Helen Hayes Awards for Outstanding Resident Play, Outstanding Resident Musical, and Outstanding Non-Resident Production for various productions such as "Superior Donuts," "Adding Machine: A Musical," "History Boys," "Take Me Out," "A New Brain," and many more. Additionally, they have received nominations at the Olivier Awards for Outstanding Set Design, Outstanding Supporting Actress, and Outstanding Resident Musical for productions like "Gifts of the Magi."

Ensemble Studio Theatre has won several awards, including the Special Award for When January Feels Like Summer at the Drama Desk Awards, the Special Citation: Ross Wetzsteon Grant for Youngblood at the Obie Awards, Outstanding Resident Musical for Caroline, or Change, and Outstanding Resident Play for Take Me Out at the Helen Hayes Awards. They also received the Outstanding Non-Resident Production award for Lackawanna Blues and Lypsinka! The Boxed Set at the Helen Hayes Awards. Additionally, Ensemble Studio Theatre won the Outstanding Resident Play award for Indian Ink and the Outstanding Resident Musical award for Bessie's Blues at the Helen Hayes Awards.

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