New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) is an Off-Broadway theatre noted for its productions of new works. Located at 79 East 4th Street between Second Avenue and Bowery in the East Village neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City, it houses a 198-seat theatre for its mainstage productions, and a 75-seat black box theatre for staged readings and developing work in the building next door, at 83 East 4th Street. History Founded by Stephen Graham, NYTW presents five to seven new productions, over 80 staged readings, and numerous workshop productions to an audience of over 60,000 patrons. Some of the theatre's progeny – such as Rent and Dirty Blonde – have transferred to commercial productions. The new works of well-established playwrights, such as Caryl Churchill, Doug Wright, and Tony Kushner – a former NYTW associate artistic director – have also been produced at NYTW. In keeping with its mission, NYTW continues to bring new work from theatre legends and emerging artists alike. The theatre maintains connections with many theatrical artists, whom it refers to as "The Usual Suspects". In 2005, NYTW purchased a vacant building at 72 East 4th Street, which it converted into scenic and costume shops. On January 11, 2006, Mayor Michael Bloomberg donated several city-owned buildings to arts organizations, including New York Theatre Workshop, on East Fourth Street, designating the block Fourth Arts Block. James C. Nicola served as its artistic director from 1988 to June 2022. He is slated to be replaced by Patricia McGregor, who will succeed Nicola the position of artistic director in August 2022. Affiliated artists Alan Ball, writer/director Anne Bogart, director Rachel Chavkin, director Caryl Churchill, writer Martha Clarke, writer/director/choreographer Daniel Craig, performer Rinde Eckert, writer/composer Elevator Repair Service, performance group The Five Lesbian Brothers, performance group Deb Filler, writer/ performer Les Freres Corbusier, performance group David Gordon, director/choreographer/writer Tony Kushner, writer Theater Mitu, performance group, company-in-residence Jonathan Larson, writer/composer Charles L. Mee, writer Will Power, writer Paul Rudnick, writer Claudia Shear, writer/performer Ivo van Hove, director Naomi Wallace, writer Doug Wright, writer/performer UNIVERSES, writers/performance ensemble References Notes External links New York Theatre Workshop NYTW's Casebook program on the American Theatre Wing's "Working in the Theatre" series. Off-Broadway theaters Theatre companies in New York City Theatres in Manhattan Arts organizations established in 1979 1979 establishments in New York City