Roundabout Theatre Company

Roundabout Theatre Company is a leading non-profit theatre company based in New York City, New York, founded in 1965 by Gene Feist and Elizabeth McCann. The company is known for its diverse range of productions, including Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, as well as its commitment to theatre education and community outreach, partnering with organizations like The Broadway League and Theatre Communications Group. With a strong focus on preserving and promoting the American theatre tradition, Roundabout Theatre Company has worked with renowned artists such as Stephen Sondheim, Tom Stoppard, and Sam Mendes. The company has also collaborated with esteemed institutions like the Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Center and the Public Theater.

● History

The Roundabout Theatre Company was founded in 1965 by Gene Feist and Elizabeth McCann, with the goal of presenting a wide range of theatre productions, from classical plays to contemporary works, including those by William Shakespeare, Tennessee Williams, and Arthur Miller. In its early years, the company operated out of a small theatre in Chelsea, Manhattan, before moving to its current home at the American Airlines Theatre in Midtown Manhattan. The company has undergone significant growth and development over the years, with Todd Haimes serving as its Artistic Director since 1983, and has worked with notable directors like Mike Nichols, Harold Prince, and John Doyle. Roundabout Theatre Company has also been involved in various theatre festivals, including the New York International Fringe Festival and the Under the Radar Festival at the Public Theater.

● Productions

Roundabout Theatre Company has produced a diverse range of shows, including musicals like Cabaret, Company, and She Loves Me, as well as plays like The Importance of Being Earnest, Hamlet, and The Glass Menagerie. The company has also presented works by notable playwrights such as Tom Stoppard, Samuel Beckett, and Eugene O'Neill, and has collaborated with esteemed theatre companies like the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre (United Kingdom). Some notable productions include the Tony Award-winning revivals of Anything Goes and The Real Thing, as well as the Drama Desk Award-winning production of The Common Pursuit. The company has also worked with acclaimed actors like Audrey Hepburn, Ingrid Bergman, and Denzel Washington, and has presented productions at various theatres in New York City, including the Gershwin Theatre and the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.

● Venues

Roundabout Theatre Company operates out of several venues in New York City, including the American Airlines Theatre, the Stephen Sondheim Theatre, and the Laura Pels Theatre at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre. The company also presents productions at other theatres in the city, such as the Studio 54 and the Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Center. The American Airlines Theatre is the company's largest venue, with a seating capacity of over 700, and has hosted productions like The Ferryman and The Play What I Wrote. The Laura Pels Theatre is a more intimate space, with a seating capacity of around 400, and has presented productions like The Humans and If I Forget, in collaboration with organizations like the Drama Desk and the Outer Critics Circle.

● Education and Outreach

Roundabout Theatre Company is committed to theatre education and community outreach, offering a range of programs and initiatives for students, teachers, and community members, in partnership with institutions like the New York City Department of Education and the United Federation of Teachers. The company's education programs include workshops, masterclasses, and internships, as well as scholarships and fellowships for emerging theatre artists, supported by organizations like the National Endowment for the Arts and the Shubert Foundation. Roundabout Theatre Company also offers access programs for people with disabilities, including audio description and sign language interpretation, in collaboration with organizations like the Theatre Development Fund and the Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts. The company's outreach initiatives include community partnerships with organizations like the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and the YMCA, as well as free and low-cost ticket programs for low-income families and underrepresented communities, supported by institutions like the New York City Council and the New York State Council on the Arts.

● Awards and Recognition

Roundabout Theatre Company has received numerous awards and nominations for its productions, including Tony Awards, Drama Desk Awards, and Outer Critics Circle Awards, as well as recognition from organizations like the Theatre World Awards and the Lucille Lortel Awards. The company has also been recognized for its commitment to theatre education and community outreach, receiving awards from organizations like the National Theatre Conference and the American Theatre Wing. In 2016, Roundabout Theatre Company received a Special Tony Award for its contributions to the American theatre tradition, and has also been honored with a National Medal of Arts from the National Endowment for the Arts, in recognition of its dedication to preserving and promoting the arts in the United States. The company has also been recognized by institutions like the New York City Mayor's Office and the New York State Governor's Office for its contributions to the cultural landscape of New York City and New York State. Category:Theatre companies in New York City