New York is sadly losing one of its bastions of new play development and Off-Off-Broadway work. On Monday, February 13, New Ohio Theatre Artistic Director Robert Lyons emailed the New Ohio community with this difficult news. Lyons and the board cited that theaters can have their “own natural life spans” and that the theater’s downtown home may continue one as a theater in new hands.
After 30 years as an indispensable pillar of the downtown independent theatre community, New Ohio Theatre will conclude operations at 154 Christopher Street at the end of the current season on August 31, 2023. We had a hell of a run. Below is part of the emailed message from Lyons:
“After 30 years as an indispensable pillar of the downtown independent theatre community, New Ohio Theatre will conclude operations at 154 Christopher Street at the end of the current season on August 31, 2023. We had a hell of a run.
The decision is the result of a confluence of factors, including my intention to step down as Artistic Director, the shifting landscape and dynamics of the field, and increased financial pressures on the organization. The board and I believe theatre organizations have their own natural life spans, and felt the time was right for New Ohio to step aside and make space for the next generation of theatre-makers and producers. We believe this is an important moment for new ideas, new energy, and new models for the indie theatre scene.
The good news is that the theatre space at 154 Christopher in the West Village will remain a home for not-for-profit theatre. The building’s landlord, Rockrose Development, will accept proposals starting February 15th, in a similar process that brought us to the space 12 years ago. At that time, we managed a floor-to-ceiling renovation including the installation of a new sprung stage, a new grid, new risers, an HVAC system, and a bathroom in the dressing room for actors. Click HERE for proposal information.”
