Provincetown Playhouse, Historic theater in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, United States.
The Provincetown Playhouse is a theater located in a four-story building in Manhattan that contains a performance space seating around 180 people. The room features a traditional stage setup with close proximity between audience and performers.
The space began in 1918 when a former stable building was converted into a performance venue for the Provincetown Players. This conversion marked the start of a new chapter for experimental theater in New York.
The venue played a key role in launching experimental theater in America through productions that challenged conventional storytelling. Today visitors can experience the same intimate space where theatrical innovation first took root.
The venue is operated by New York University and primarily features student productions during the academic year. The best time to visit is during the performance season when shows run regularly.
One moment from the 1920s stands out: a performance featuring Paul Robeson and Mary Blair generated national headlines and sparked street demonstrations. This event revealed how influential and controversial the theater had become.
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