The Drama League Opens Drama League Theater Center Today

The Drama League (Executive Director, Gabriel Shanks; Artistic Director, Roger T. Danforth) will officially dedicate its new home, The Drama League Theater Center (32 Avenue of the Americas), a new, state-of-the-art facility located on the lobby level of the historic former AT&T Building, in the heart of TriBeCa's arts district. Featuring over 100 annual public performances, workshops, classes, and more, The Drama League Theater Center and its programs bring together world-class theater artists, emerging talents, and New York theatergoers all under one roof, serving an estimated 15,000 artists and audience members each year.

Hosted by 2013 Tony Award Nominee, Judith Light, the festivities kick off this morning, May 23rd with the official ribbon cutting ceremony and celebration beginning at 10:30 a.m., followed by an Open House Reception with tours of the new multi-use arts space beginning at 3:00 p.m.

Space is limited is for both events. To make a reservation, please email your request to Toby Newman Banks at tbanks@dramaleague.org, or call (212) 244-9494.

The centerpiece of The Drama League Theater Center is The Stewart F. Lane and Bonnie Comley Studio Lab, a flexible-use creative space for the development of new plays and musicals for Broadway, Off-Broadway, and for leading theatres around the country. It will house workshops, readings, classes, open rehearsals, symposia, panel discussions, and the new Drama League Resident Artists Program, where selected directors and their collaborators will cultivate new works for the theatre.

The Joseph and Lauren Pizza Welcome Center greets guests as they enter The Drama League Theatre Center, where the Founders Wall, Hospitality Lounge, reception amenities, a reservations desk for all events, and the entrances to The Stewart F. Lane and Bonnie Comley Studio Lab and the Creatve Suites are located. Opening from the completely restored, 1920's Art Deco grand lobby, The Welcome Center will be the crossroads for artists, patrons, VIP guests, and others who are part of The Drama League community.

Both The Stewart F. Lane and Bonnie Comley Studio Lab and The Joseph and Lauren Pizza Welcome Center were designed by FXFowle, the architects behind Lincoln Center's renovation of Alice Tully Hall, and FisherDachs, co-founded by Jules Fisher, eight-time Tony Award-winning lighting and theatre designer.

With this opening, The Drama League also launches the new Artist-in-Residence Program, funded in part by the Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust, that supports the work of culturally significant artists in the middle and final stages of development on a theatrical piece. Selected artists spend a minimum of four months at The Drama League Theater Center, enjoying major fund support, rehearsal space, workshop production and marketing assistance. The inaugural 2013 recipient is two-time Obie Award Winner and Drama League Directors Project Alumna, Rachel Chavkin.

Since 1916, The Drama League of New York has been at the forefront of the American Theatre community, providing talent, audiences, and prosperous support. It is one of the nation's oldest continuously-operating, not-for-profit arts advocacy and education organization.

Through its programs, initiatives and events, The Drama League indelibly transforms the lives of artists and audiences by harnessing the unique social and creative dynamism of theatre. Its nationally-renowned, award-winning efforts have two vital goals: To train and nurture the artists of tomorrow and to deepen and strengthen the audience experience.

To learn more about The Drama League and its programs, visit the website at www.dramaleague.org.