Off-Off-Broadway

Off-Off-Broadway

Off-Off-Broadway theatrical productions in New York City are those in theatres that are smaller than Broadway and Off-Broadway theatres. Off-Off-Broadway theaters are often defined as theaters that have fewer than 100 seats,[1] though the term can be used for any show in the New York City area that has neither an Off-Broadway nor a Broadway contract. The shows range from professional productions by established artists to small amateur performances.

Contents

History

The Off-Off-Broadway movement 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. Another name worthy of mention is the Nuyorican Poets Café founded by Puerto Rican playwright Miguel Algarín in the mid 1970's.

An Off-Off-Broadway production that features members of Actors Equity is, of necessity, called an Equity Showcase production; not all Off-Off-Broadway shows are Equity Showcases. 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 frequent and comprises the bulk of stage work for the majority of New York actors. There has been an ongoing movement to revise the Equity Showcase rules, which many in the community find overly restrictive and detrimental to the creation of New York theater.[3][4]

The term Indie theater, or independent theater, coined by playwright Kirk Bromley has been suggested to replace Off-Off-Broadway as a term.[5]

Notable theatre companies and venues

Main category: Off-Off Broadway

Notes

  1. ^ "Off-Off-Broadway, Way Back When". http://www.theatermania.com/content/news.cfm/story/5191. Retrieved 2007-12-13. 
  2. ^ Viagas (2004, 72)
  3. ^ Breaking the Code?, page 1 - Theater - Village Voice - Village Voice
  4. ^ Cracking the Code
  5. ^ Kirk Bromley interview

References

  • Bottoms, Stephen J. 2004. Playing Underground: A Critical History of the 1960s Off-Off-Broadway Movement. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press. ISBN 0472031945.
  • Viagas, Robert. 2004. The Back Stage Guide to Broadway. New York: Back Stage Books. ISBN 082308809X.

External links


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Off-Off-Broadway — est un terme désignant les productions théâtrales joués à New York dans des salles plus petites que celles des théâtres de Broadway et d Off Broadway (généralement moins de cent sièges[1]). Sommaire 1 Notes et références 2 Voir aussi …   Wikipédia en Français

  • off-off-Broadway — ☆ off off Broadway [ôf′ôf′brôd′wā΄ ] adj. of or having to do with noncommercial, highly experimental theatrical productions, presented in small halls, cafes, etc. in New York City adv. in such productions or locations n. off off Broadway… …   Universalium

  • off-off-Broadway — ☆ off off Broadway [ôf′ôf′brôd′wā΄ ] adj. of or having to do with noncommercial, highly experimental theatrical productions, presented in small halls, cafes, etc. in New York City adv. in such productions or locations n. off off Broadway… …   English World dictionary

  • off off Broadway — off off Broadway, adj., adv. experimental or avant garde drama produced in New York City, in small theaters, halls, churches, etc. Also, Off Off Broadway. * * * …   Universalium

  • off off Broadway — off off Broadway, adj., adv. experimental or avant garde drama produced in New York City, in small theaters, halls, churches, etc. Also, Off Off Broadway …   Useful english dictionary

  • Off-Off-Broadway — In New York City werden die Theater in drei große Kategorien eingeteilt: Broadway, Off Broadway und Off Off Broadway. Geschichte Früher war diese Einteilung wörtlich zu nehmen und daher einfach nachzuvollziehen: Die Broadway Theater lagen direkt… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • off-off-broadway — (ˈ) ̷ ̷ ˈ ̷ ̷ ˌ ̷ ̷ ˌ ̷ ̷ noun Usage: often capitalized both Os & usually capitalized B Etymology: so called from its relation to off Broadway being analogous to the relation of off Broadway to Broadway : an avant garde theatrical movement in New …   Useful english dictionary

  • off-off-Broadway — noun Usage: often capitalized both Os Etymology: from its relation to off Broadway being analogous to the relation of off Broadway to Broadway Date: 1965 an avant garde theatrical movement in New York • off off Broadway adjective or adverb, often …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • off-off-Broadway — 1. noun A New York City area off Broadway style show, but not operating under the aegis of the theatrical unions. These are generally very low budget, with limited casts and even more limited production values, performed in unconventional, ad hoc …   Wiktionary

  • Off-Off-Broadway — Ọff Ọff Broadway   [ brɔːdweɪ], Off Broadway …   Universal-Lexikon

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