About Us
Our Mission
New York Classical Theatre's mission is to reinvigorate and create audiences for the theatre by presenting free productions of popular classics and forgotten masterpieces in non-traditional public spaces throughout New York City.
Current programming consists of productions at the World Financial Center, Central Park and Battery Park--a total of 60 performances every season. All rehearsals and performances are free of charge and open to the public.
New York Classical Theatre's hallmark is accessibility and a panoramic staging approach to performance. Site-specific productions are adapted to showcase the unique visual components of each venue through innovative design and choreographic elements. Throughout the performance, the audience follows the actors from place to place, as the plot unfolds from scene to scene. In this way, the spectators become active participants in the drama itself.
With performances across Manhattan, we serve a broad demographic of the urban landscape, spanning all ages, ethnicities and income levels. Rehearsing in public venues encourages our audience to actively observe the evolution of a production while demystifying the language and poetry of classical theatre.
New York Classical Theatre firmly believes the themes of the classics remain as relevant to our lives today as they were to their original audience. Through the lens of classical theatre we come to better understand human nature and our role in contemporary life. As a result, our free performances build new and future audiences for classical work by attracting many underserved and non-traditional spectators.
Staff Members
Stephen Burdman - Artistic Director
Sean Hagerty - Associate Producer & Director of Education
Ellen Mittenthal - Development Consultant
Stephanie Klapper - Casting Director
Barbara Adrian - Resident Voice & Text Coach
Corporate, Foundation & Government Support
$25,000 and Above
Arts World Financial Center, Department of Cultural Affairs, National Endowment for the Arts, Open Society Foundations/George Soros (Fund for the City of New York)
$10,000 to $24,999
Michael Tuch Foundation, New York City Council (Council Members Margaret Chin, Gale A. Brewer, Daniel Garodnick), New York State Senate (Senators Thomas K. Duane, Liz Kreuger, Daniel L. Squadron)
Under $10,000
American Theatre Wing, Milton & Sally Avery Arts Foundation, Axe-Houghton Foundation, The Battery Conservancy, The Mary Duke Biddle Foundation, Campion Walker Garden Design, Columbia Pictures, Deutsche Bank Americas Foundation, Friars National Association Foundation, Dive Bar & Restaurant, Fatty Crab Restaurant, Friends of PS 166 Inc., Fund for Small Theatres (ART/New York), Google, Eugene & Emily Grant Family Foundation, Ben Hyatt Certified Deposition Reporters, Melvin & Sylvia Kafka Foundation, Manhattan Borough President's Office (Borough President Scott M. Stringer), Manhattan Mini Storage, Marymount School of New York, Merrill Lynch & Co. Foundation, National Park Service/United States Department of the Interior, New York State Assembly (Assembly Member Daniel J. O'Donnell), New York State Council on the Arts, Saker Aviation, Smartbrief, Spruce Private Investors, UBS Matching Gift Program, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
For further information, or to enquire about our Corporate & Small Business Membership Opportunities, please call us at 212-662-0760.