Peter Jay Sharp Theater

Peter Jay Sharp Theater is a prominent off-Broadway theater located in the heart of Manhattan, New York City, near Times Square and the New York Public Library. The theater is part of the Playwrights Horizons complex, which also includes the Mainstage Theater and is supported by organizations such as the National Endowment for the Arts, Dramatists Guild of America, and the Shubert Foundation. The Peter Jay Sharp Theater has hosted numerous productions, including works by renowned playwrights like Tony Kushner, Wendy Wasserstein, and Christopher Durang, and has been recognized with awards such as the Obie Award and the Drama Desk Award.

● History

The Peter Jay Sharp Theater was opened in 2002, with the goal of providing a state-of-the-art facility for off-Broadway productions, and has since become a hub for innovative and experimental theater, hosting companies like the Vineyard Theatre, Atlantic Theater Company, and Rattlestick Playwrights Theater. The theater has a long history of supporting new and emerging playwrights, including Sarah Ruhl, Adam Rapp, and Lisa Kron, through programs such as the Sundance Institute and the O'Neill Theater Center. The Peter Jay Sharp Theater has also collaborated with other prominent theaters, including the Public Theater, Signature Theatre Company, and the Roundabout Theatre Company, to produce works by acclaimed playwrights like Samuel Beckett, Tennessee Williams, and Eugene O'Neill. Additionally, the theater has partnered with organizations like the Drama League, Theatre Communications Group, and the League of Professional Theatre Women to promote theater education and community engagement.

● Design and Architecture

The Peter Jay Sharp Theater was designed by renowned architect Hugh Hardy of H3 Hardy Collaboration Architecture, who also designed other notable theaters such as the New Victory Theater and the Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Center. The theater features a unique and flexible design, with a seating capacity of approximately 198 seats, and is equipped with state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, including equipment from Yamaha and ETC. The theater's design has been influenced by the works of other notable architects, including Frank Lloyd Wright, I.M. Pei, and Renzo Piano, and has been recognized with awards such as the American Institute of Architects award. The Peter Jay Sharp Theater is also located near other prominent cultural institutions, including the Museum of Modern Art, Carnegie Hall, and the New York City Center.

● Productions and Events

The Peter Jay Sharp Theater has hosted a wide range of productions, including plays, musicals, and dance performances, featuring artists such as Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald, and Sutton Foster. The theater has also presented works by companies like the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, Trisha Brown Dance Company, and the Martha Graham Dance Company, and has collaborated with festivals like the Under the Radar Festival and the Coil Festival. The Peter Jay Sharp Theater has also been the venue for numerous Obie Award and Drama Desk Award ceremonies, honoring the work of playwrights like Edward Albee, Lanford Wilson, and Maria Irene Fornes. Additionally, the theater has hosted readings and workshops, featuring the work of emerging playwrights like Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, Annie Baker, and Dominique Morisseau, and has partnered with organizations like the Lark Play Development Center and the New Dramatists to support new play development.

● Technical Specifications

The Peter Jay Sharp Theater features a proscenium arch stage with a width of approximately 30 feet and a depth of 25 feet, and is equipped with a state-of-the-art sound system designed by Acme Sound Partners and a lighting system designed by Lighting & Sound America. The theater also features a fly system, a trap room, and a state-of-the-art video projection system, and is equipped with equipment from companies like QSC Audio Products and Vari-Lite. The Peter Jay Sharp Theater's technical specifications make it an ideal venue for a wide range of productions, from intimate dramas to large-scale musicals, and have been recognized by organizations like the United States Institute for Theatre Technology and the Theatre Safety Committee.

● Location and Accessibility

The Peter Jay Sharp Theater is located at 416 West 42nd Street, in the heart of Manhattan, New York City, near Times Square and the New York Public Library. The theater is easily accessible by public transportation, with several New York City Subway lines and MTA Bus routes nearby, including the A, C, E trains at the 42nd Street – Port Authority Bus Terminal station and the M7 and M10 buses. The Peter Jay Sharp Theater is also within walking distance of other prominent cultural institutions, including the Guggenheim Museum, American Museum of Natural History, and the Broadway Theatre, and is near restaurants and hotels like the Algonquin Hotel and the Plaza Hotel. The theater is wheelchair accessible, with an elevator and accessible seating areas, and offers accommodations for patrons with disabilities, including American Sign Language interpretation and audio description, through organizations like the Theatre Development Fund and the Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts. Category:Theatres in New York City