PROPOSED FIRST FLOOR MEZZANINE PLAN - the Public Theater

Joe Papp built a truly unique organization: The Public Theater. There was nothing like The Public up to that point, and nothing
like it since. Joe created the beloved tradition of free Shakespeare in Central Park; he helped launch the careers of talents such
as James Earl Jones, Raul Julia, Kevin Kline, Martin Sheen, Meryl Streep, Denzel Washington, and Jeffrey Wright to mention a
few. Joe produced landmark new plays and musicals such as HAIR, A CHORUS LINE, THAT CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON and FOR
COLORED GIRLS—innovative works that spoke to a moment in time. He was one of the first to produce the plays of young and
diverse voices such as Larry Kramer, Miguel Piñero, David Rabe, Ntozake Shange, Wallace Shawn, and Sam Shepard and—as a
result—The Public’s impact on the landscape of American theater remains unrivalled to this day.
As The Public’s leaders, we remain driven to build upon and expand Joe’s mission. Our vision is to maintain an artist driven
institution that provides the freedom for creative exploration and preserve our capability to produce high-quality, noncommercial
new works that reflects contemporary society. When The Public fires on all cylinders we offer programming 52
weeks a year including Joe’s Pub, six mainstage season shows, two Shakespeare in the Park productions, the Public LAB,
festivals, workshops, readings and other special performances.
But The Public is more than a producer of theater. We also train the next generation of classical performers. We provide free
Shakespeare education programs for public school students throughout New York City’s boroughs. We dedicate significant
resources to provide opportunity for writers at every stage of their careers. We foster a web of supportive artistic relationships
across generations of writers that will influence the future of contemporary American theater. And, most importantly, The Public
embraces the belief that art should be available to everyone and we are proud to give away more free tickets than any other
theater in the country—over 100,000 each season.
However, none of this would be possible without our historic headquarters on 425 Lafayette Street, and now we need your help
to ensure the ongoing success of the organization for years to come. As we embark upon the next 50 years of excellence, we are
launching the GOING PUBLIC Campaign to raise $35 million to complete much-needed mechanical and infrastructure upgrades,
expand our facilities, upgrade amenities (yes—more restrooms!), overhaul mechanical systems and address the public spaces
of The Public Theater. Over the past few years we have added additional office space and repaired the roof, but now we need to
plan for the future to serve not only artists, but you—our audience.
Many of our friends have stepped forward to play important roles in our GOING PUBLIC Campaign. While it is impossible to
thank everyone here, we would like to acknowledge the monumental support of the City of New York, Board Chair Warren
Spector whose leadership has proven invaluable during a challenging time, The Kresge Foundation, Arielle Tepper and The
Philip and Janice Levin Foundation, our long-time champions—the LuEsther T. Mertz Charitable Trust, and the Shiva family.
We would also like to thank our Board of Trustees, the Building Campaign Committee, and Capital Project Committee whose
advice and tireless passion has made the impossible possible.
Please join our GOING PUBLIC Campaign and help us strengthen The Public to create a vibrant cultural home that serves our
neighborhood, community, the City of New York and the future of American theater.
Oskar Eustis
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
DEAR
PUBLIC
FRIENDS AND
FAMILY,
DEAR FRIENDS,
Andrew D. Hamingson
ExECUTIvE DIRECTOR
“Joe had an
innate talent
for making the
impossiblepossible.
He
gave his blood,
sweat and tears
to transform
The Astor
Library into
a permanent
home for
The New York
Shakespeare
Festival, and
today this
building—and
The Public—
remain at the
very heart
and soul of
American
theater.”
—Gail Merrifield Papp
The Public Theater is an extraordinary organization. No other American theater boasts such a rich
theatrical legacy that includes countless remarkable shows, powerful stories, stunning productions
and unforgettable performances. However it is The Public’s ability to offer access to this work that
makes this institution truly exceptional and now we need your help to secure The Public Theater for
the future.
The Public is already a home to a diverse community of artists and audiences, a place to exchange
ideas and a forum to engage in meaningful debate about the world we live in. As The Public Theater
launches the GOING PUBLIC Building Campaign, we are faced with a unique opportunity to strengthen
the organization by addressing fundamental infrastructure upgrades, and improve facilities to create
more useable spaces for you—our public—to enjoy. And we must do our part and invest in The Public
Theater to ensure its survival for the next fifty years.
This renovation is the culmination of a long-term project started a decade ago to upgrade The Public’s
headquarters. Completing this work will enable The Public to address vital maintenance work and
replace unreliable systems to create a more hospitable environment year-round, and provide more
amenable public spaces to better serve audiences. Our goal is to create a more welcome environment
by providing not only more comfort but to encourage greater interaction between New Yorkers from
all walks of life. Our dream is to walk through the lobby and see a master playwright inspired by a
younger writer, an audience member discuss the theater with a legendary actor or simply a group of
students debating the future of American theater over coffee.
As we embark upon this exciting transformation I would like to offer my deepest thanks to the City of
New York, our friends and the Board of Trustees who have already offered their invaluable support to
The Public’s GOING PUBLIC Campaign. I would also like to acknowledge the dedication of our Building
Campaign Committee—Gordon Davis, Hilary Feshbach, Pat Fili-Krushel, Wendi Rose, Mark Rosenthal,
Alexandra Shiva, Tom Slaughter, Jim Steinberg, Robin Wagner, and the unstoppable Gail Merrifield
Papp whose passion is truly an inspiration to us all.
As I am fond of saying, The Public MATTERS, and now is the time to make an investment that counts.
Warren Spector
CAMPAIGN CHAIRMAN
THE PUBLIC THEATER BOARD CHAIRMAN
The Public
Theater provides
us all with so
much joy and
inspiration
because it is
truly the theater
for the people
of New York City.
From the free
plays in the park,
to the performances
at Joe’s
Pub, to the many
productions in
the theater itself,
there are always
so many exciting,
challenging, and
evocative things
going on at the
same time at
The Public. It is
always changing
but never
changed. A true
melting pot of
creativity in its
highest form.
—Jonathan Groff
the public theater 2 the public theater 3