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Private company

The Public Theater

Arts organization in New York City

The Public Theater is an arts organization based in Manhattan, New York City. Founded by Joseph Papp, the Public Theater was originally the Shakespeare Workshop in 1954; its mission was to support emerging playwrights and performers. Its first production was the musical Hair in 1967.2 Its revenue was $50.4 million in 2023.1 Wikipedia text CC BY-SA 4.0

Last updated Oct 21, 2026.

Overview

1954Founded1

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Public Theatre Astor Library Building from south
Photo: Beyond My Ken, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons4

The Public Theater is an arts organization based in Manhattan, New York City. Founded by Joseph Papp, the Public Theater was originally the Shakespeare Workshop in 1954; its mission was to support emerging playwrights and performers. Its first production was the musical Hair in 1967. Since Papp, the theater has been led by JoAnne Akalaitis (1991–93), and George C. Wolfe (1993–2004), and is currently under Artistic Director Oskar Eustis and Executive Director Patrick Willingham.2

The story

Founded by Joseph Papp in 1954.1

Leadership

Who has led The Public Theater, and when. Pick a name to see everywhere that person has worked.

Chair

  1. Arielle Tepper2013–now
197019801990200020102020

Products and brands

In 2013, the Public launched Public Works, which brings together diverse groups of people throughout the five boroughs of New York City to watch theater, participate in theatrical workshops, and perform in one full-scale Public Works production alongside professional actors at Shakespeare in the Park. Past Public Works productions include The Tempest, The Winter's Tale, and The Odyssey. Two productions, Shaina Taub's adaptations of Twelfth Night and As You Like It, were later remounted as full Shakespeare in the Park productions in 2018 and 2022, respectively.

From Wikipedia’s article on The Public Theater, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.3

Revenue over time

As stated on Wikidata, in the currency reported.

Revenue

The Public Theater revenue by year1$50.4M in 2023+43% since 2014
0$25.0M$50.0M$75.0M$100.0M2014: $35.2M$35.2M20142015: $40.1M$40.1M2015+14%2016: $33.4M$33.4M2016−17%2017: $54.0M$54.0M2017+62%2018: $68.1M$68.1M2018+26%2019: $88.7M$88.7M2019+30%2020: $55.5M$55.5M2020−37%2021: $47.4M$47.4M2021−15%2022: $70.5M$70.5M2022+49%2023: $50.4M$50.4M2023−29%
  • 2023$50.4M1
  • 2022$70.5M1
  • 2021$47.4M1
  • 2020$55.5M1
  • 2019$88.7M1
  • 2018$68.1M1

Timeline

  1. 1954Founded Founded1

Sources

The numbers on this page point here. Each one links to the record it came from.

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