Theatre for a New Audience

Overview

Theatre for a New Audience (TFANA) is a prominent American theatre company based in New York City. Established in 1979 by Jeffrey Horowitz, it primarily focuses on producing Shakespearean work alongside classic and contemporary plays, aiming to introduce classic theater to modern audiences. TFANA is headquartered at the Polonsky Shakespeare Center in Brooklyn. Over the years, TFANA has become celebrated for its commitment to education and enrichment programs, serving a diverse theatre-loving audience and nurturing the next generation of theater enthusiasts and professionals.

Recent Developments

2024-25 Season Announcement (August 2024): The upcoming season will feature various American and world premieres, including plays by Ethan Lipton, Wole Soyinka, and Taylor Mac. TFANA will also continue its tradition of presenting works by William Shakespeare, such as an adaptation of "Henry IV" by Dakin Matthews.
Jeffrey Horowitz Retirement (October 2024): Founding Artistic Director Jeffrey Horowitz has announced his retirement after leading TFANA since its inception in 1979. His departure marks the end of an era for the esteemed institution, prompting the search for a new Artistic Director.
World Premiere of "We Are Your Robots" (November 2024): TFANA premiered Ethan Lipton's new musical "We Are Your Robots," reinforcing its commitment to contemporary works alongside classics.
"The Merchant of Venice" Tour (Starting January 2025): The production, directed by Arin Arbus and featuring John Douglas Thompson as Shylock, is set to tour Scotland. This marks Thompson as the first Black American actor to play Shylock in a full production in Edinburgh, as part of the Shakespeare Exchange partnership with the Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh.
New Artistic Leadership Search (October 2024): The board is actively searching for new artistic leadership to further the organization's mission and adapt to evolving artistic landscapes. This comes in preparation for Horowitz’s retirement in August 2025.

Attribute	Information
Founding Date	1979
Headquarters	Brooklyn, New York, USA
Founders	Jeffrey Horowitz
Revenue	$5.6 million (Fiscal year ending 2024)
Key Investors	Various private donors and organizations
Industry	Theatre
Number of Employees	Approximately 50 full-time employees

Early History

Theatre for a New Audience was founded in 1979 by Jeffrey Horowitz, with the vision of providing a platform for Shakespeare and classical theatre in New York City. Initially, TFANA began as a small, player-driven group, focused on bringing Shakespeare to modern audiences in innovative ways. Over the years, the organization expanded its repertoire to include international plays and new works by contemporary playwrights, gaining recognition for its educational outreach and community engagement efforts. TFANA quickly became a leader in the American theatre landscape by showcasing its productions at significant venues, including the Royal Shakespeare Company in the UK.

Company Profile and Achievements

TFANA has built a respected reputation for its artistic quality and educational initiatives. Known for its dedication to Shakespeare's works, TFANA has produced 33 of his plays to date. Operating out of the Polonsky Shakespeare Center, TFANA has established a robust program for introducing Shakespeare and classical drama to New York City schools, impacting over 140,000 students since inception.

Significant achievements include:

Enabling groundbreaking collaborations with renowned artists like Julie Taymor and Peter Hall.
Being the first American theater company invited to the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Opening its permanent Brooklyn home in 2013, designed by Hugh Hardy, blending Elizabethan design with modern technology to maximize accessibility and flexibility.

Current Operations and Market Position

Currently, TFANA continues to set new standards in the American theater by integrating classical plays with contemporary works. Its performances engage large audiences, bolstered by its innovative approach to education and community collaboration. TFANA maintains a competitive advantage through its distinctive programming and partnerships, ensuring that both classic and new works resonate with a diverse audience. With Jeffrey Horowitz's retirement on the horizon, TFANA is poised to enter a new chapter of leadership and creativity, aiming to sustain its influential role in the global theater landscape.

Conclusion

Theatre for a New Audience remains a pillar of classical and contemporary theatre in New York City. With its potent mix of traditional and modern narratives, TFANA has significantly shaped the theatrical landscape by making classic literature accessible and relevant to new generations. As it looks toward a future led by new artistic leadership, its commitment to education, community, and innovative theatrical presentations ensures its continued influence and success. As the organization evolves, TFANA is expected to keep challenging conventions, inspiring audiences, and fostering a love for the transformative power of theatre.