The Essentials of Off Broadway

When people think of New York City, there are a few great images that stand out. The Statue of Liberty, the United Nations building, and the grand buildings that tower above ground are but a few of the memories that people have after a trip to New York. However, there are few places that are as closely tied to a city as Broadway and theater is tied to New York City. With thousands of theaters big and small throughout the city, visitors and New Yorkers alike can see the best theater in the world within walking distance of their home or hotel room.

While stages on Broadway provide lavish and magnificent productions of plays like The Producers, there is a more intriguing and engaging theatrical community just beneath the glitz and glamor of the Broadway scene. While Off-Broadway performances are often derided as less polished and more experiment than Broadway shows, these criticisms are the very reasons why people attend Off-Broadway shows. Instead of seeing the hot show on Broadway, visitors and New Yorkers can see the cutting edge and the experimental theater that can one day make it to Broadway, the television screen, or the movie theater. As well, Off-Broadway performances are more hands-on for teenagers and college students that are interested in breaking into the theater scene. All in all, Off-Broadway is a more democratic and exhilarating environment for theater lovers.

Distinguishing Features of Off-Broadway

One of the first questions that is probably asked by someone unfamiliar with New York theater is the difference between Broadway and Off-Broadway venues. As determined by theater contracts, Off-Broadway venues hold between 100 and 499 seats, while Broadway theaters hold 500 seats and more, providing greater seating for big theatrical events. However much the name Off-Broadway may indicate that theaters are not on Broadway, this is incorrect. Off-Broadway theaters can be on any street in New York, the name only refers to the seating size and budget level.

Off-Broadway theaters and companies typically have smaller budgets, lower publicity, and a higher level of experimentation than Broadway theaters. Based on this, Off-Broadway companies often do unconventional promotions or rely on promotional work by actors and playwrights in cafes, book shops, and other stores throughout New York. Off-Broadway productions are almost entirely nonprofit, which means that they are not beholden to financiers who may censor material. However, the downside of nonprofit status is that productions need to be successful enough to maintain financial viability in the Off-Broadway environment.

Distinguishing Features of Off-Off-Broadway

While visitors and theater goers often hear about Off-Broadway productions, there is another layer of the Broadway scene that is lesser known. Off-Off-Broadway theaters and companies are often put together by friends and colleagues who want to be in charge of editorial content and running their own performances. The Off-Off-Broadway scene popped up during the 1960s as Off-Broadway productions began to resemble the commercial aspects of Broadway.

From new actors through professional performers, Off-Off-Broadway is a place of great experimentation and high energy. Off-Off-Broadway venues can range from small theaters to coffee shops with a stage, with all Off-Off-Broadway theaters holding less than 100 seats. While few people may know about Off-Off-Broadway performances, they are recognized annually by the New York Innovative Theatre Awards. These awards recognize artistic excellence in these small venues.

Off-Broadway to Broadway

For those who want to make it to the bright lights of Broadway but feel like they are settling with Off-Broadway work, there could be nothing further from the truth. Instead of competing, Off-Broadway often acts as a feeder system for theatrical performances and thespians to Broadway theaters. Whether it is a lavishly produced musical to a well performed play, Off-Broadway has provided dozens of great productions to Broadway over the years.

Several musicals have gone from rags to riches on the New York theater scene. The incredibly popular drama Rent, which has been successful on tour and in movie theaters, started out at the Off-Broadway level. Rent is now a favorite of many theater students and a staple of the Broadway scene. The musical Godspell, which is now performed routinely at the high school and college theater level, went from Off Broadway theaters to Broadway in a hurry. The dark comedy Little Shop of Horrors, which impressed many New York theater goers with its production values, got a boost when it was promoted to Broadway status. Musicals are the most common types of theater productions that are promoted because they translate best to Broadway theaters.

However, a few plays have gone from Off Broadway stages to Broadway. The 1960s drama Doubt, which has won major accolades from entertainment magazines, has become a big hit on the Broadway scene. While these accolades come in part from television and movie actors making great performances in Doubt, the play has also developed and evolved over the years into a polished and efficient piece. As well, the historical drama I Am My Own Wife, which tells the story of a German transvestite during World War II, has won several Tony Awards in its run on Broadway. For all of those who want to make the jump from Off-Broadway to Broadway, there are plenty of examples that show how it can be done.

Success on Off-Broadway Stages

While Broadway stages may be the ultimate goal for some playwrights and actors, there are others who want to maintain the artistic purity and integrity of their work. For these people, the stages of Off-Broadway provide enough support and opportunities to keep them acting and directing for their entire career. In fact, several productions have maintained a strong following and financial success in their Off-Broadway runs. One notable example is the play The Fantasticks, which ran for several decades on Off-Broadway stages to packed houses.

Another example of Off-Broadway success that can be emulated by actors and playwrights is the roaring success of the Blue Man Group. This comedy and theatrical troupe runs a regular show at a variety of theaters in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. The Blue Man Group utilizes audience interaction, ridiculous visual effects, and music to create an interesting theater going experience. The Blue Man Group is a well-known name across America and has gone from performing on small stages in New York to doing performances on television and commercials, including a regular gig on commercials for Pentium processors. The Blue Man Group provides a great blue print for success on Off-Broadway stages.

In the same vein as The Blue Man Group, Stomp has taken off from small stage success to national prominence. Stomp's use of everyday items to create percussion music, including garbage cans and pans, appeals to a mass audience while drawing rave reviews from fickle theater critics. Stomp has taken their act on nationwide tour and on television shows but have remained loyal to their Off-Broadway roots by staying on small stages. Both the Blue Man Group and Stomp show that troupes and performance companies can build a Broadway-like crowd without sacrificing creative control or moving to bigger stages.

The Atlantic Theater Company

One of the most renowned theater companies in New York's theater scene is the Atlantic Theater Company. While this company, school, and theater are Off-Broadway, it has helped develop the skills of today's movie and television stars. As well, the Atlantic Theater Company's commitment to theater education has built interest by young theater students in theatrical careers. The company is based on the idea of Practical Aesthetics, which attempts to bring performances and character conversation from overly theatrical to plain spoken. This acting philosophy is promoted by actor William H. Macy and director David Mamet and it has helped actresses like Felicity Huffman and Jessica Alba develop in their television and movie careers.
While big names have come through the Atlantic Theater Company over the years, this Off-Broadway arts organization is also interested in promoting new artists and theater students. The two-year conservatory program, in consultation with New York University, allows talented young people without experience to develop their writing and acting skills on stage. As well, young theater goers and others interested in the theatrical craft can visit the Atlantic Theater to see visiting acting troupes. With visiting groups like The Mobius Group and Hair of the Dog commonly dropping by to work shop their materials, theater goers of this Off-Broadway stage can see some of the hottest and trendiest acts in the theater world.

Second Stage Theatre

Like the Atlantic Theater Company, the Second Stage Theatre aims not only to entertain visitors to the Off-Broadway world but educate those interested in making a career in arts and entertainment. Established in 1979 by Carole Rothman and Robyn Goodman, the Second Stage Theatre was meant solely as a repository for American plays that would be given a second life through "second stagings," or second runs. However, Rothman and Goodman soon realized that promoting such work without having new productions to offer would not draw in the fickle Off-Broadway crowd. As well, the typical financial problems of nonprofit theaters crept in when attendance numbers were too low for financial viability.

However, Rothman and Goodman made a great move of maintaining their interest in "second stagings" while expanding the Second Stage Theatre's scope. This Off-Broadway venue now houses productions by emerging playwrights and world premieres by established playwrights in addition to their usual schedule of classic American plays. Second Stage has now become one of the major players in the Off-Broadway world, with many great playwright trying out new material and production pieces to the loyal fans of this great venue.

Second Stage Theatre has also expanded its mission to include educational and artistic development of young and talented playwrights or actors. The Second Stage teen education program allows teenagers interested in writing and acting the opportunity to put on productions and gain experience in the theater world. This unique learning environment is made possible by the more comfortable and audience-oriented Off-Broadway atmosphere. For actors and playwrights who have graduated from college or are looking to develop their craft at a practical level, Second Stage offers a residency program that includes hands-on help from experienced Off-Broadway performers and writers.

Playwrights Horizon

Established in 1971 by Robert Moss, this major nonprofit theater company has become a mainstay in the Off-Broadway scene. Tasked with the development of new playwrights, Playwrights Horizon allows theater goers the opportunity to get in on the ground floor of the next great artist. Playwrights Horizon put on plays by such great playwrights as Steven Sondheim, Christopher Durang, and Wendy Wasserstein, and its presence in Off-Broadway theater ensures a place for artists looking to fine tune their craft.

Steven Sondheim, an accomplished composer and lyricist, has used his time at Playwrights Horizon and other Off-Off-Broadway venues to fine tune his craft. When he isn't producing music for Broadway plays, television, and movies, he is working in Off-Broadway to try out new material and premier new works that he wants to workshop in front of an audience. Sondheim's Grammy and Tony Awards lend an air of credibility to Playwrights Horizon and the Off-Broadway scene.
Christopher Durang, the playwright behind Baby with the Bathwater and The Nature and Purpose of the Universe, has always been a fan of Off-Broadway venues like Playwrights Horizon. Durang's academic background and eccentric theatrical style combines to make for some great performances and new fans among theater goers. His work at the Playwright Horizons theater and in the Off-Broadway scene epitomizes why visitors and theater regulars should seek out the unusual and the unorthodox when taking in a show.

Wendy Wasserstein, who has split time between theater and movie production, has premiered new shows and trotted out old standards like Uncommon Women and Others at the Playwrights Horizon. Wasserstein's look into the lives of women across class and age has been attractive to two generations of theater goer. As well, her willingness to experiment and use the Playwrights Horizon stage as a work shop for young theater students does a great service to the artistic community in the Off-Broadway scene.

Public Theater

Established in 1954 as the Shakespeare Workshop, the Public Theater has since become a breeding ground for great new playwrights and writers. This theater and arts group tries to challenge common conceptions of what theater is, something that can only be done in Off-Broadway type work. Located in Greenwich Village in the old Astor Library, the current incarnation of the Public Theater opened in 1967 with the musical Hair. As well, the Public Theater housed A Chorus Line, one of the great Off-Broadway success stories, for fifteen years.

Public Theater not only runs shows at its Astor Library location but also runs Joe's Pub and Delacorte Theater in Central Park. Joe's Pub has become a hotspot for unconventional spoken word artists, young playwrights with intriguing performance pieces, and musicians who incorporate theatrical style. As well, the Delacorte has been home to the popular Shakespeare in the Park series which has drawn in New Yorkers and tourists alike for years.

The Public Theater's reputation has been bolstered by its ability to move Off-Broadway shows to the big time. With four Pulitzer prizes and 49 shows moving to Broadway, Public Theater is an institution in New York's theater scene. Its Greenwich Village location and its unorthodox theatrical performances have also made this Off-Broadway venue a place for social and political liberals to express their interest in various causes. Overall, Public Theater has been a laboratory for experimental theater that is still mainstream enough to draw in traditional theater goers.

Off-Off-Broadway Venues

While venues in the Off-Broadway scene have grown in fame and notoriety over the last three decades, there are plenty of great Off-Off-Broadway venues for those interested in experimental theater. One of the best Off-Off-Broadway theaters is the Manhattan Theater Source, located near Manhattan's Washington Square Park. This nonprofit art service is housed in an old brick building with two levels to accommodate the arts community in Manhattan. The lower level houses an art gallery and café for those interested in a quiet evening taking in the sites of the New York theater scene. However, those interested in seeing a great play or performance piece should go upstairs, where the Manhattan Theater Source has held 200 performances over the last three years.

While the venues are great in the Off-Off-Broadway scene, the various performance companies have developed an equally devout following by New York theater buffs. The most popular Off-Off-Broadway performance company is the Rising Sun Performance Company, which was established in November 2001 by artists by Akia and David Anthony. Within the first year, the arts community really took to Rising Sun's unique and quirky performance pieces, performed by a group of great writers, poets, comedians, and other performers. Since 2001, Rising Sun has performed 22 different productions, including the original Cinderella. As well, they have been active in building an Off-Off-Broadway community with their recent theater festival that featured 40 artists and four plays. A sign of their building popularity was the 2003 performance of An Adult Evening of Shel Silverstein with everyone's favorite poet speaking and waxing poetic.