ABOUT US

Urban Stages is an award-winning, not-for-profit Off-Broadway Theatre Company founded in 1984 by current Artistic Director Frances Hill. Over the past 24 years, Urban Stages has produced over 70 productions (mostly world premieres) including Pulitzer Prize Finalist, Eisa Davis’ BULRUSHER (2007), two Drama Desk nominations, an Outer Critic's Circle Award, an Obie nomination, and eight Audelco nominations. Our productions of MEN ON THE VERGE OF A HISPANIC BREAKDOWN, by Guillermo Reyes, and MINOR DEMONS, by Bruce Graham subsequently moved to commercial theatres. CHILI QUEEN, a play by newscaster Jim Lehrer, transferred to the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. (1989).

The majority of works developed at Urban Stages have had further productions commercially, regionally, and abroad. Numerous projects developed at Urban Stages have been adapted into film and television projects, including Scar, by Murray Mednick, Conversations with the Goddesses, by Agapi Stassinopoulos, and Cotton Mary, by Alexandra Viets.

We have a consistent history of discovering new writers to the theatre community and introducing their plays into theatrical repertory.

Mission Statement

Urban Stages’ mission is to discover, nurture and produce exceptional new works by artists of diverse cultural backgrounds. We strive to give authors a venue to address the multi-faceted issues facing our contemporary world. From our open submission policy to our open casting policies, Urban Stages is committed to discovering and developing new professional theatre and theatre artists representing the whole of our society.

An Overview of the Urban Stages' Organization

Urban Stages has developed into a bigger and more diverse organization since our beginnings in 1984 under the direction of founding and current Artistic Director, Frances Hill. We began as a producing organization dedicated to developing and producing new plays relevant to the multi-cultural nature of our contemporary world. Today, we continue that commitment while establishing an extensive Outreach Program found through the New York Public Library and school system throughout the five boroughs. Our Outreach Program offers often underserved communities free, professional quality theatre and Arts in Education opportunities. Please contact Lori Ann Laster, Program Director for more information. In 2001, Urban Stages acquired a charming theatre at 259 West 30th Street with 75 seats, two rehearsal rooms, workshop, and storage facilities. Our theatre space is extremely versatile, with the ability to play as an intimate black box and is easily transformed with occasionally elaborate multi-level sets. We are thrilled to report that the majority of our patrons rave about our comfortable our seating is and our exceptional sightlines. Urban Stages recently completed the third year of Urban Stages Summer Theatre Camp Program (ages 11 to 14).

An Overview of Our Play Development and Productions

1. Play development and productions. Staged readings of new plays by professional actors are scheduled in a series of Monday evenings at Urban Stages Theatre (259 West 30th Street). Plays are rehearsed with wildly talented New York actors and directors, and performed for a public audience. Discussion follows each reading with the author and director. Urban Stages is currently presenting a FREE reading series Monday evenings at 6:00PM through the end of September. Stay tuned for more information of our upcoming series in November, 2008.

2. Developmental workshops. Workshops of new plays continue to be held in the theatre with actors and directors.

3. Plays go into our Outreach Program. Many of our developed plays go into our Outreach Program, performed with professional actors through our library and school associations. These plays include specially developed works for both children and adults.

4. Urban Stages Productions. Urban Stages produces two to three full scale Off-Broadway plays each season. We are an Actors Equity Association theatre and hire AEA actors and stages managers for all of our productions. We are proud to have produced 2007 Pulitzer Prize Finalist, BULRUSHER, by Eisa Davis, have received an Outer Critics Award, several Drama Desk and Audelco Nominations.