Founded by Ciarán O’Reilly and Charlotte Moore, The Irish Repertory Theatre opened its doors in September 1988 with Sean O’Casey’s "The Plough and the Stars." The mission of the theatre was and remains:
To bring works by Irish and Irish American masters and contemporary playwrights to American audiences; to provide a context for understanding the contemporary Irish American experience; and to encourage the development of new works focusing on the Irish and Irish American experience, as well as a range of other cultures.
Central to our mission is our company of actors, writers, directors, and designers committed to the principle of great stories beautifully and aggressively told. We ahieve this purpose by nurturing the development of new work while keeping the classics fresh, alive, and relevant. In the past twenty years, The Irish Repertory Theatre has presented major works by O'Casey, Synge, Shaw, Wilde, Boucicault, Brendan Behan, Dylan Thomas, and Samuel Bckett, as well as the contemporary artistry of Hugh Leonard, Frank McCourt, Tom Murphy, Brien Friel, Peter Sheridan, Patricia Burke Brogan, Pat McCabe, Geraldine Aron, Enda Walsh, Eugene O'Brien, Tommy Makem Shivaun O'Casey, and Harold Prince.
In 1995, we made our permanent home in Chelsea on three completely renovated floors of a former warehouse, allowing for both the Francis J. Greenburger Mainstage and a smaller studio space, the W. Scott McLucas Studio. The Irish Repertory Theatre is currently the only year-round theatre company in New York City devoted to bringing Irish and Irish American works to the stage.
Recognized with the 2007 Jujamcyn Theatres Award, a special Drama Desk Award for “Excellence in Presenting Distinguished Irish drama,” and the Lucille Lortel Award for "Outstanding Body of Work," the Irish Repertory Theatre has celebrated the very best in Irish theatre for twenty years, from the masters to the new generation of Irish and Irish American writers who are transforming the stage.
More than 35,000 audience members annually attend productions at our theatre in the heart of New York's Off-Broadway community. Once here they witness The Irish Repertory Theatre's engaging perspective on the Irish and their unique contributions to the world of drama.
Keywords: Irish, theatre, broadway, off-broadway, plays, musicals
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