off-off-Broadway

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Off-Off-Broadway refers to New York theatrical productions in theatres that are smaller than Broadway and Off Broadway theatres. Off-Off-Broadway theaters are defined as theaters that have fewer than 100 seats.^[1] The shows range from professional productions by established artists to small amateur performances.

History

Off-Off-Broadway began in 1958 as a reaction to Off-Broadway, and a "complete rejection of commercial theatre".^[2] Among the first venues for what would soon be called "Off-Off-Broadway" (a term supposedly coined by critic Jerry Tallmer of the Village Voice) were coffeehouses in Greenwich Village, particularly the Caffe Cino at 31 Cornelia Street, operated by the eccentric Joe Cino, who early on took a liking to actors and playwrights and agreed to let them stage plays there without bothering to read the plays first, or to even find out much about the content. Also integral to the rise of Off-Off-Broadway were Ellen Stewart at La MaMa, and Al Carmines at the Judson Poets' Theater, located at Judson Memorial Church.

An Off-Off-Broadway production that features members of Actors Equity is called an Equity Showcase production. The Union maintains very strict rules about working in such productions, including restrictions on price, the length of the run and rehearsal times. Professional actors' participation in showcase productions is not infrequent, and in fact comprises the bulk of stage work for the majority of New York actors.^[3]

Notable theatre companies and venues

See also

• Showcase theatre (performing arts group)

Notes

References

External links

• New York Innovative Theatre Awards
• offoffonline.com
• The Community Dish (dead link January 17, 2009)collective:unconscious