Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Mabou Mines/Suite
Somehow this avant-garde troupe has managed to stay on the cutting edge for over
40 years. A commitment to taking chances and providing opportunities for new voices probably hasn't hurt.
Mabou's
Resident Artist Program
presents works in evolution during March and April. Several shows play, mul-
tiple times across the first half of the year, and all for free. Call ahead for reservations.
150 First Ave., btw. 9th and 10th sts.
212/473-1991.
www.maboumines.org
.
Subway: 6 to Astor Place; L to First Ave.
The Martin E. Segal Theatre Center
This center is run by CUNY's PhD program in theater, home to
a talented crop of scholars, students, actors, and playwrights. The schedule is laden with freebies, including
visits from international theatrical heavy-hitters, lecture series, and excerpted plays. In September, check out
the Prelude festival (
www.preludenyc.org
)
, with nearly two dozen performances, readings, and open rehearsals
of works in progress. No tickets or reservations are required.
365 Fifth Ave., btw. 34th and 35th sts.
212/917-1860.
ht-
tp://web.gc.cuny.edu/mestc
. Subway: B/D/F/M/N/Q/R to 34th St./Herald Sq.; 6 to 33rd St.
The New School for Drama
The New School integrates the arts of acting, directing, and playwriting. The
fruits of these synergies can be found during New Voices, an annual playwrights' festival. Six original plays are
presented in repertory, showing three times each. The performances are free, but it's best to reserve a seat in ad-
vance.
The New School for Drama Theater at the Westbeth, 151 Bank St., 3rd floor, btw. Washington St. and the West Side Hwy.
212/279-4200.
Subway:
A/C/E to 14th St.; L to Eighth Ave.
The York Theatre Company
Inside the tasteful modern confines of St. Peter's Church, the York Theatre
trots out unsung new musicals for free performances. The
Developmental Reading Series
has warbled its
way through Depression-era Chicago,
fin-de-siècle
Paris, and the present-day Smoky Mountains in recent years.
The shows are free but do sometimes “sell out,” so reserve early.
619 Lexington Ave., at 54th St.
212/935-5824,
ext.
524.
www.yorktheatre.org
.
Subway: E/M to Lexington Ave./53rd St.; 6 to 51st St.
Dirt Cheap Theater
All About La Mama: Big Drama in Small Spaces
Small theater groups are notorious for their shoestring budgets, which means most don't have the luxury of per-
manent stages. All it takes to make a theater is some matte-black paint, a few gelled lights, and a bunch of fold-
ing chairs. Walk-up lofts in Midtown are constantly taking form as Off-Off-Broadway bastions. Downtown, espe-
cially the area around East 4th Street, is a locus with more staying power. Several companies work out of the area
and most shows have East Village-friendly prices of $15 or less.
Dixon Place
Experimentation is the norm at Dixon Place, which bills itself as an “artistic lab with an audi-
ence.” Since performances are in varied stages of evolution, ticket prices are on the low side, usually $5 to $15,
with free and suggested admission events in the mix (membership lowers the price of event tickets and has other
perks, ranging from free rehearsal space to invitations to member events). This is the real Downtown New York
theater/dance/performance experience. From its humble beginnings in its founder's Bowery walk-up (the sofas
doubled as seating) the organization has developed and bought a stand-alone space, with a top-flight theater and
a separate lounge that accommodates even more affordable entertainment. They claim to be the only New York
theater with a liquor license, and they encourage you to support independent artists by patronizing the bar!
161
Chrystie St., btw. Delancey and Rivington sts.
212/219-0736.
www.dixonplace.org
. Subway: J/Z to Bowery; B/D to Grand St.
Galapagos Art Space
This Brooklyn bar began with a mini Temple of Dendur moat in an old Williamsburg
mayonnaise factory. In their new DUMBO space, they've built an even bigger lake, which helps cool the structure
in summer and warm it in winter. Compelling comedy, theater, music, and film fill the calendar. Most events are
in the $10 to $20 range, but plenty of free shows are peppered through the schedule.
16 Main St., btw. Water and Plymouth
sts., DUMBO, Brooklyn.
718/222-8500.
www.galapagosartspace.com
.
Subway: F to York St.; A/C to High St.
La MaMa
This venerable avatar of the avant-garde remains ensconced in the East Village and dedicated to artistic
experimentation. Productions are high quality and the ticket prices reflect it—shows can run from $5 to $30. One
notable exception is the free
Experiments
readings series, which features in-progress plays read with the writers
in attendance, to provide instant-gratification feedback. Look also for the
Coffeehouse Chronicles,
a homecom-
ing of sorts, which recalls the origins of the Off-Off-Broadway world with the original instigators. Those shows
