The East Coast of the United States boasts a rich and vibrant theater and performing arts scene, with a wide array of notable venues that showcase the best in drama, music, dance, and more. From the bright lights of Broadway to the historic stages of regional theaters, the East Coast offers an unparalleled cultural experience for theater enthusiasts and casual audiences alike.
New York City: The Heart of American Theater
Broadway
No discussion of East Coast theater would be complete without a mention of Broadway, the legendary theater district in the heart of New York City. With over 40 theaters and a history dating back to the mid-19th century, Broadway is synonymous with the highest level of theatrical achievement in the United States.
Notable Broadway Theaters
- The Richard Rodgers Theatre
- Currently home to the smash hit musical "Hamilton"
- Has hosted productions of "In the Heights," "If/Then," and "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof"
- The Belasco Theatre
- A stunning example of Beaux-Arts architecture, with a grand interior featuring murals and a domed ceiling
- Has hosted productions of "Network," "Hedwig and the Angry Inch," and "End of the Rainbow"
- The Gershwin Theatre
- The largest theater on Broadway, with over 1,900 seats
- Home to the long-running musical "Wicked" since 2003
- The Shubert Theatre
- One of the oldest theaters on Broadway, having opened in 1913
- Has hosted productions of "A Chorus Line," "Matilda the Musical," and "To Kill a Mockingbird"
Off-Broadway and Off-Off-Broadway
While Broadway may be the most famous theater destination in New York City, the city's Off-Broadway and Off-Off-Broadway scenes are equally vibrant and influential. These smaller, more intimate venues showcase a wide range of experimental and avant-garde productions, as well as works by up-and-coming playwrights and performers.
Notable Off-Broadway and Off-Off-Broadway Venues
- The Public Theater
- Founded in 1954 by Joseph Papp, with a mission to make theater accessible to all
- Has premiered groundbreaking works such as "Hair," "A Chorus Line," and "Hamilton"
- New York Theatre Workshop
- Known for its bold and innovative productions, often featuring new works by emerging artists
- Has premiered plays by Tony Kushner, Caryl Churchill, and Rachel Chavkin
- The Signature Theatre Company
- Dedicates each season to the works of a single playwright, providing a deep dive into their oeuvre
- Has featured seasons dedicated to Edward Albee, Arthur Miller, and August Wilson
- La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club
- A pioneering Off-Off-Broadway venue, founded in 1961 by Ellen Stewart
- Has been a launching pad for countless avant-garde and experimental theater artists, including Sam Shepard, Lanford Wilson, and Elizabeth Swados
Regional Theaters: Showcasing the Best of the East Coast
While New York City may be the undisputed center of East Coast theater, the region is home to a wealth of exceptional regional theaters that showcase the best in classic and contemporary drama, musical theater, and more.
The Kennedy Center (Washington, D.C.)
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, located in the heart of the nation's capital, is a world-renowned cultural institution that presents the best in theater, music, dance, and opera. With three main theaters and a host of smaller performance spaces, the Kennedy Center is a hub of artistic activity and a showcase for the finest talents from across the country and around the world.
Notable Productions and Events at the Kennedy Center
- The Kennedy Center Honors
- An annual celebration of lifetime artistic achievement, featuring tributes to honorees from across the performing arts
- Past honorees have included Meryl Streep, Stephen Sondheim, and Mikhail Baryshnikov
- The Eisenhower Theater
- A 1,164-seat theater that hosts a wide range of productions, from Broadway tours to world premieres
- Has hosted productions of "Ragtime," "The Color Purple," and "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time"
- The Terrace Theater
- A more intimate 513-seat space that showcases smaller-scale productions and solo performances
- Has hosted performances by Audra McDonald, Mandy Patinkin, and Chita Rivera
- The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival
- An annual celebration of student theater from across the country, featuring performances, workshops, and competitions
- Has launched the careers of countless theater professionals, including Gavin Creel, Michael Mayer, and Paula Vogel
Arena Stage (Washington, D.C.)
Founded in 1950, Arena Stage is one of the most influential and respected regional theaters in the United States. With a focus on American plays and playwrights, Arena Stage has been a driving force in the development of new works and the cultivation of emerging talent.
Notable Productions and Initiatives at Arena Stage
- Power Plays
- A series of commissioned works that explore the nature of power and politics in America
- Has featured plays by John Strand, Jacqueline E. Lawton, and Mary Kathryn Nagle
- The Fichandler Stage
- A unique in-the-round theater that creates an intimate and immersive experience for audiences
- Has hosted productions of "The Great White Hope," "The Music Man," and "Sweat"
- The Kreeger Theater
- A 514-seat proscenium theater that hosts a mix of classic and contemporary works
- Has hosted productions of "Jitney," "The Price," and "Sophisticated Ladies"
- The Allen Lee Hughes Fellows Program
- A professional development program for early-career theater artists from underrepresented communities
- Has provided mentorship and training to dozens of directors, designers, and administrators
Goodman Theatre (Chicago, IL)
The Goodman Theatre, located in the heart of downtown Chicago, is one of the oldest and most respected regional theaters in the United States. With a focus on classic and contemporary works, as well as new plays by emerging and established playwrights, the Goodman has been a vital part of the Chicago theater scene for over 90 years.
Notable Productions and Initiatives at the Goodman Theatre
- New Stages Festival
- An annual showcase of new plays in development, featuring readings and workshops of works by up-and-coming playwrights
- Has featured works by Rebecca Gilman, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, and Dael Orlandersmith
- The Albert Theatre
- The Goodman's main stage, with 856 seats and a spacious proscenium arch
- Has hosted productions of "Death of a Salesman," "The Iceman Cometh," and "Two Trains Running"
- The Owen Theatre
- A more intimate 350-seat theater that hosts smaller-scale productions and new works
- Has hosted productions of "Smokefall," "The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window," and "The Winter's Tale"
- The Alice Rapoport Center for Education and Engagement
- A dedicated space for community engagement and education, offering classes, workshops, and public programs
- Has served over 5,000 students and community members each year
Huntington Theatre Company (Boston, MA)
The Huntington Theatre Company, located in the heart of Boston's theater district, is one of the leading regional theaters in New England. With a commitment to presenting the best in classic and contemporary theater, as well as developing new works by emerging playwrights, Huntington has been a vital part of the Boston cultural scene for over 35 years.
Notable Productions and Initiatives at the Huntington Theatre Company
- The Huntington Playwriting Fellows
- A year-long residency program for local playwrights, providing mentorship, readings, and workshops
- Has supported the development of works by Melinda Lopez, Kirsten Greenidge, and Ronan Noone
- The Huntington Avenue Theatre
- The Huntington's main stage, with 890 seats and a stunning Beaux-Arts facade
- Has hosted productions of "The Jungle Book," "Sweat," and "The Purists"
- The Calderwood Pavilion
- A more intimate complex of theaters, including the 370-seat Wimberly Theatre and the 200-seat Roberts Studio Theatre
- Has hosted productions of "The Niceties," "The Colored Museum," and "The Bluest Eye"
- The Huntington Community Membership Initiative
- A program that provides free and discounted tickets to underserved communities in the Boston area
- Has distributed over 10,000 tickets to community partners and organizations
Experimental and Avant-Garde Venues
In addition to the more traditional regional theaters, the East Coast is home to several experimental and avant-garde venues that push the boundaries of what theater can be.
The Wooster Group (New York City)
Founded in 1975 by Elizabeth LeCompte and Spalding Gray, The Wooster Group is one of the most influential and innovative experimental theater companies in the world. Known for its radical deconstructions of classic texts and its incorporation of multimedia elements, The Wooster Group has been a driving force in the development of postmodern theater.
Notable Productions by The Wooster Group
- "Brace Up!"
- A radical reimagining of Anton Chekhov's "Three Sisters," incorporating video, dance, and live music
- Premiered in 1991 and toured internationally to critical acclaim
- "House/Lights"
- A multimedia exploration of the life and work of Gertrude Stein, incorporating film, video, and live performance
- Premiered in 1998 and won the Obie Award for Best Production
- "The Town Hall Affair"
- A re-creation of a 1971 debate between Norman Mailer and a panel of feminist activists, using verbatim transcripts and archival video footage
- Premiered in 2016 and toured internationally to critical acclaim
The Foundry Theatre (New York City)
The Foundry Theatre is a social justice-oriented theater company that creates works that engage with pressing political and social issues. Founded in 1994 by Melanie Joseph, The Foundry has been a leading voice in the world of activist theater, using the stage as a platform for dialogue, debate, and social change.
Notable Productions by The Foundry Theatre
- "The Provenance of Beauty: A South Bronx Travelogue"
- A site-specific performance that took audiences on a bus tour of the South Bronx, exploring issues of gentrification, urban renewal, and community identity
- Premiered in 2009 and won the Obie Award for Best Production
- "The Good Person of Szechwan"
- A radical adaptation of Bertolt Brecht's classic play, set in contemporary New York City and exploring issues of poverty, inequality, and moral compromise
- Premiered in 2013 and featured a cast of formerly incarcerated individuals and homeless youth
- "Counted?"
- An interactive performance that invited audiences to participate in a mock election, exploring issues of voter suppression, gerrymandering, and the erosion of democracy
- Premiered in 2018 and toured community centers and schools across New York City
Double Edge Theatre (Ashfield, MA)
Double Edge Theatre is a site-specific performance company located on a 105-acre farm in rural Massachusetts. Founded in 1982 by Stacy Klein, Double Edge creates immersive, multi-disciplinary performances that blur the boundaries between theater, dance, music, and visual art.
Notable Productions by Double Edge Theatre
- "The Grand Parade"
- An epic outdoor performance that took audiences on a journey through the history of the 20th century, using the landscape of the farm as a stage
- Premiered in 2011 and toured internationally to critical acclaim
- "Leonora and Alejandro: La Maga y el Maestro"
- A surreal, dreamlike performance inspired by the lives and works of Leonora Carrington and Alejandro Jodorowsky, incorporating aerial acrobatics, live music, and stunning visual effects
- Premiered in 2018 and won the Elliot Norton Award for Outstanding Production
- "I Am the Baron"
- A one-man show inspired by the life and work of Polish avant-garde artist Tadeusz Kantor, performed by Double Edge co-founder Carlos Uriona
- Premiered in 2020 and toured internationally to critical acclaim
Conclusion
The East Coast theater and performing arts scene is a vibrant, diverse, and endlessly fascinating world, with a rich history and a bright future. From the bright lights of Broadway to the experimental fringes of the avant-garde, there is something for everyone on the stages and in the performance spaces of the East Coast. Whether you're a lifelong theater enthusiast or a casual observer, there has never been a better time to explore the incredible range and depth of talent and creativity on display in this remarkable region. So why not take a chance, buy a ticket, and see for yourself what the East Coast theater and performing arts scene has to offer? You never know what you might discover.