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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 Productions

 
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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


Full Cast Set For the UK Première of Dominique Morisseau's SKELETON CREW


The Donmar Warehouse has announced the full cast for Dominique Morisseau's Skeleton Crew – the final production in Michael Longhurst's tenure as Artistic Director. Olivier Award-winner Matthew Xia directs Tobi Bamtefa, Branden Cook, Pamela Nomvete, and Racheal Ofori.

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld May 10, 2024


Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is May 10, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

Jack O'Brien & George C. Wolfe Will Each Receive the 2024 Special Tony Award


Jack O’Brien and George C. Wolfe will each receive the 2024 Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre.

Kelly Kerwin Will Step Down as Artistic Director of OKC Repertory Theater


After three years as Artistic Director of OKC Repertory Theater, Kelly Kerwin is stepping down to be closer to family in New York. Kerwin led the organization through the height of the pandemic and through the transition from OKC Rep’s founding artistic director, Donald Jordan.

Photos: Inside the Public Theater Gala Honoring the Creatives of HELL'S KITCHEN


The Public Theater held its Annual Gala, honoring the creative team of HELL’S KITCHEN: Camille A. Brown, Kristoffer Diaz, Michael Greif, and Alicia Keys. Check out photos from inside the big night.

FALCON GIRLS World Premiere & More Set for Yale Repertory Theatre 2024-25 Season


Yale Repertory Theatre has revealed its 2024–25 season of five productions. Learn more about the season and see how to purchase tickets.

NYU Skirball Reveals Lineup For Fall 2024 Season


 NYU Skirball’s Fall 2024 season will open on Friday, September 6 with the North American premiere of Counting and Cracking, a two-week run co-presented with The Public Theater. Learn more about the season here!

FATHER COMES HOME FROM THE WARS, PARTS 1, 2 & 3 Comes to Quintessence Theatre


 Quintessence Theatre has announced the Philadelphia Premiere of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks’ acclaimed play, Father Comes Home From The Wars, Parts 1, 2 & 3.

Justin Vivian Bond to be Honored With Judy Icon Award From NIGHT OF A THOUSAND JUDYS


The 12th annual “Night of a Thousand Judys” – the Pride concert to benefit The Ali Forney Center written and hosted by Justin Elizabeth Sayre – will honor Mx Justin Vivian. Learn more.

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld May 8, 2024


Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is May 8, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

James Ijames' GOOD BONES, Delacorte Theater Reopening & More Set for The Public Theater 24-25 Season


The Public Theater has revealed the line-up for The Public’s 2024-25 Season. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.

Casts of HELL'S KITCHEN, THE NOTEBOOK & More to Perform at New Dramatists Spring Luncheon


New Dramatists will host its Annual Spring Luncheon Tribute on Tuesday, May 14 at the New York Marriott Marquis. See who is taking part and learn how to purchase tickets.

Signature Theatre Names Julián Mesri As Judith Champion Musical Theater LaunchPad Resident


Signature Theatre has named Julián Mesri as the Judith Champion Musical Theater LaunchPad Resident.

Elizabeth Marvel to Star in US Premiere of MEDEA at Red Bull Theater


Join Elizabeth Marvel in MEDEA, a unique adaptation by Ben Power, directed by Daniel Fish, as part of Red Bull Theater's 20th Anniversary Festival. Learn how to purchase tickets.

(PRAY), THE COMEUPPANCE, and More Take Home 2024 Lucille Lortel Awards - Full List of Winners!


The 39th Annual Lucille Lortel Awards will be presented at the annual ceremony which will take place tonight, Sunday, May 5, 2024, at NYU Skirball beginning at 7:00pm. See the winners as they come in here!

Video: Watch a Trailer for JORDANS by Ife Olujobi at The Public Theater


Watch footage from Ife Olujobi's JORDANS, now running at The Public Theater through Sunday, May 19th in the video here!

Randolph Curtis Rand Joins Cast PERFECT CRIME Off-Broadway


Broadway veteran Randolph Curtis Rand has joined the cast of NYC's longest running show, PERFECT CRIME.

Suzan-Lori Parks' SALLY & TOM Extends For 4th Time; Descendants Meet The Cast


Discover the latest updates on the New York premiere play SALLY & TOM by Pulitzer Prize winner Suzan-Lori Parks, now extended for a fourth time. Also, learn about the special meeting between the cast and the descendants.

New Musical NOISE, FAT HAM & More Set for Wilbury Theatre Group 24/25 Main Series Season


The 2024/25 season at Wilbury Theatre Group, featuring the Rhode Island premieres and more has been revealed. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.

Video: First Look at GALILEE, 34 by Eleanor Burgess at South Coast Rep


Get a first look at South Coast Repertory's world premiere of Galilee, 34 by Eleanor Burgess. Directed by Davis McCallum, the story exploring the disciples in the aftermath of the Crucifixion, runs through May 12, 2024 on the Julianne Argyros Stage.

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

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