Ars Nova to Partner with Greenwich House and Operate 199-Seat Greenwich House Theater

Following a year-long search, Ars Nova "one of the most adventurous Off Broadway companies" (New York Times) has been selected by Greenwich House as the new tenant of their historic, 199-seat Greenwich House Theater, which opened in 1917 and is located at 27 Barrow Street. In addition to operating and filling the beloved venue with new work by its emerging artists, Ars Nova will partner with Greenwich House on new community engagement and educational initiatives that will deepen the mission of both non-profit organizations.

In early 2019, the Greenwich House Theater will become the primary venue for Ars Nova's award-winning, Off-Broadway premiere productions. This strategic decision allows Ars Nova to expose its emerging artists to a growing audience base, increases the technical capabilities of its home theater to keep pace with the big dreams of its world premiere artists, and fully dedicate its intimate theater on 54th Street to the discovery and development of new talent.

"Ars Nova is thrilled to have been selected to operate the Greenwich House Theater, which will become our new home base for our Off-Broadway premieres," said Jason Eagan, the Founding Artistic Director of Ars Nova. "This will, in turn, stimulate our work of discovering and developing talent by freeing up space in our own jewel-box theater on 54th Street, where we will be able to increase our services to our artist community and expand our year-round programming. At the same time, this mission-driven partnership gives us an ideal platform to partner on arts education initiatives. Together, Ars Nova and Greenwich House can ensure that our resources are used to launch the careers of extraordinarily deserving early-career artists; as well as foster and develop arts appreciation and aspiration among the youngest of our next generation."

"For over 100 years, Greenwich House has fostered community through the arts, and we're excited to bring Ars Nova into the fold," said Roy Leavitt, the Executive Director of Greenwich House. "Not only does Ars Nova have a strong vision for the Greenwich House Theater, they have a track record of fostering new artists and creating diverse audiences. We're looking forward to partnering with them on new initiatives for theater lovers of all ages."

Opened in 1917 as the Greenwich House Theater, Greenwich House's Children Theater program occupied the space beginning in 1921. For over 65 years, under the leadership of children's author and playwright Helen Murphy, the theater not only provided a constructive outlet for children of the area's mostly Italian immigrant families, but its productions received widespread recognition. Beginning in the 1970s, a series of professional theater companies began operating in the space. The now defunct Sanctuary Theatre, whose members included voice artist Rip Torn and film star Geraldine Page, began productions in 1979. In 1985, Soho Rep. moved in, followed by the non-profit Drama Dept. in the 1990s. Since 2003, the theater has been occupied by the Barrow Street Theatre company and is currently home to a revival of Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, whose tickets are on sale through May 27, 2018.

About Ars Nova

Ars Nova is committed to developing and producing theater, comedy, and music artists in the early stages of their professional careers. Our unique development programs are designed to support outside-the-box thinking and encourage innovative, genre-bending work. Dubbed by The New York Times as a "fertile incubator of offbeat theater," Ars Nova blurs genres and subverts the status quo. With our feverish bounty of programming, we are the stomping ground and launching pad for visionary, adventurous artists of all stripes. By providing a safe environment where risk-taking and collaboration are paramount, Ars Nova gives voice to a new generation of artists and audiences, pushing the boundaries of live entertainment by nurturing creative ideas into smart, surprising new work.

Ars Nova has been honored with an OBIE Award and a Special Citation from the New York Drama Critics' Circle for sustained quality and commitment to the development and production of new work. Notable past productions include:Time Out New York Critics' Pick, KPOP, created by Jason Kim, Max Vernon, Helen Park and Woodshed Collective, directed by Teddy Bergman; "Best New American Theatre Work" Obie Award-winner and New York Times' "Best of 2016" Underground Railroad Game by Jennifer Kidwell and Scott R. Sheppard with Lightning Rod Special, directed by Taibi Magar (now on international tour); "Outstanding Musical" Lortel Award-winner FUTURITY, by César Alvarez with The Lisps, directed by Sarah Benson; The New York Times' and New York Post's "Best of 2015," Small Mouth Sounds by Bess Wohl, directed by Rachel Chavkin (now touring the US after a return engagement Off Broadway); Time Out New York's "Best of 2014," JACUZZI by The Debate Society, directed by Oliver Butler; the Tony Award-winning smash-hit Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 by Dave Malloy, directed by Rachel Chavkin; Jollyship the Whiz-Bang by Nick Jones and Raja Azar, directed by Sam Gold; the world premiere of the 2009 season's most-produced play boom by Peter Sinn Nachtrieb, directed by Alex Timbers; the show that put Bridget Everett on the map, At Least It's Pink by Everett, Michael Patrick King, and Kenny Mellman, directed by King; and Lin-Manuel Miranda and Thomas Kail's first New York production, Freestyle Love Supreme by Anthony Veneziale and Miranda, directed by Thomas Kail.

About Greenwich House

Greenwich House was founded in 1902 as a settlement house with the mission to improve the lives of the predominately immigrant population in Greenwich Village, at that time New York's most congested neighborhood.

Though needs of the City continue to change, the mission of Greenwich House remains constant: to help individuals and families lead more fulfilling lives by offering social and health services, cultural and education programs and opportunities for civic involvement to New Yorkers of all ages and backgrounds. Each year, Greenwich House provides over 12,000 New Yorkers with social, behavioral health and cultural programs, all aimed at affording personal growth and enrichment. Since its founding, Greenwich House has served nearly one million people.

Greenwich House fulfills its mission through its varied programs that serves everyone regardless of age, gender, race, religion or sexual orientation.

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