About US

THE DEFINITIVE HOME FOR AMERICAN PLAYWRITING

Primary Stages is dedicated to inspiring, supporting, producing, and sharing the art of playwriting. We operate on the strongly held belief that the future of American theater relies on nurturing playwrights and giving them the support they need to fully realize their vision. Since our founding in 1984, we have produced more than 150 new plays. Whether you’ve been with us from the beginning or are just joining us on our journey, ours is a passionate community of artists, students, and patrons. Together let’s build the next cohortof great American playwrights.

Celebrating our 40th Anniversary!

We are thrilled to celebrate our 40th Anniversary with a full year of productions, new play development initiatives, and engagement opportunities to connect our community of artists and audiences. Learn more about our upcoming events!

A HOME FOR THEATER ARTISTS AND AUDIENCES
We encourage collaboration, mentorship, and community among emerging and established artists.

  • Mainstage Season For 40 years, we have been producing new works and celebrating playwrights’ visions. Shows are produced at 59E59 Theaters, where we are the Resident Off-Broadway Theater Company.

  • Liff Lab An annual new play development program named by The Sulzberger Rolfe Foundation in memory of Samuel “Biff” Liff to provide an exceptional early to mid-career playwright with a 29-hour developmental workshop of an unproduced new work.

  • Dorothy Strelsin New American Writers Group Our writers group has been fostering the creation of new works by emerging playwrights for 28 years.

  • Tow Foundation Playwright-in-Residence Jiehae Park was our 2019/2020 Playwright-in-Residence.

A HOME FOR THEATER EDUCATION
For over 15 years, we've offered classes for playwrights, actors, and directors in all stages of their careers.

  • Einhorn School of Performing Arts (ESPA) Our multidisciplinary classes, led by instructors currently working in the field, train playwrights, actors, and directors in all stages of their development and from all corners of the globe.

  • Echoes Writers Group A year-long, educational program focused on finding, nurturing, and amplifying the voices of women, non-binary, and gender non-conforming artists.

  • Internship Program The opportunity to develop practical skills while creating relationships with artists and administrators.

A HOME FOR ALL NEW YORKERS
Regardless of financial means or the availability of comprehensive arts education, Primary Stages is for everyone.