Founded in 1979, Theatre for a New Audience (TFANA) finds
the contemporary heart of the classics. Embracing Shakespeare as its cornerstone,
TFANA also stages epic plays from the world repertoire for audiences Off-Broadway
and the Public Schools of New York City. The Theatre nurtures ongoing
relationships with the finest American and European artists and supports
mentoring programs for young and early-career directors.
Theatre for a New Audience
aspires to a civic role, bonding the diverse community of New York to the
language, pleasures and issues of classical drama. At a time when audiences
are segmented by economics and diverse cultural backgrounds, TFANA is committed
to enhanced education and public access.
The Theatre sustains our largest
humanities program in New York City's Public Schools for introducing Shakespeare
and offers a wide range of ticket prices to minimize economic barriers for
all its audiences. (Click here for a
timeline and list of TFANA
productions.)
The Theatre nurtures
ongoing relationships with an eclectic group of the finest American and European
directors, actors, designers and composers who consistently return to TFANA
to explore the classic repertoire. Julie Taymor (Tony Award-winning director
of The Lion King), Mark Rylance (Artistic Director of London's Globe
Theatre), and Ron Daniels (Honorary Associate Director of England's Royal
Shakespeare Company) are among the major artists who maintain ongoing
affiliations with the company.
The Theatre is
also committed to the next wave of American classical artists and supports
mentoring programs for young and early-career directors led by master teacher,
Cicely Berry (Director of Voice, Royal Shakespeare Company).
In 1984, we began
a vitally important partnership with the New York City Public Schools, developing
programs that help to build diverse and inquisitve audiences of the future.
For more details, see
Education.
