New Georges

Last updated
New Georges
FormationJanuary 1‚ 1992
TypeTheatre group
Purpose Gender parity
Location
  • 85 Broad St, New York, NY 10004
Artistic director(s)
Susan Bernfield
Website newgeorges.org

New Georges is a not-for-profit Off-Broadway theater based in New York City, dedicated to developing and producing innovative new work by women, trans, and non-binary artists. Founded in 1992, the company has supports bold, experimental, and adventurous voices in the theater world. Susan Bernfield serves as artistic director, Jaynie Saunders Tiller serves as executive director, and Deadria Harrington serves as Artistic Operations Director. [1]

Contents

Awards and honors for New Georges, its plays and its people include The National Theatre Conference's Outstanding Theatre Award, 4 Obie Awards, The Lilly Award, the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, and the Kesselring Prize. [2]

History

New Georges is a New York-based theater company founded in 1992 by artistic director Susan Bernfield. It is focused on supporting and producing the work of women, trans, and nonbinary playwrights. For more than three decades New Georges has been an incubator for new voices in theater, particularly those from women, LGBTQ+ playwrights, and other underrepresented communities. The company's productions are risk-taking and diversity, both in terms of genre and form. The theater also has a commitment to creating an "inclusive space for artists and audiences." [3]

In addition to its productions, New Georges has run a number of programs designed to support emerging artists. This includes their "New Georges Jam" (a series of events that brings together theater artists to share work in progress) and the "Audrey Residency," which provides space for playwrights and directors to develop new works.Over the years, New Georges has produced a variety of critically acclaimed works, many of which have gone on to be produced in other theaters or published. The theater has garnered a loyal following and has become known for its commitment to quality, innovation, and cultivating artistic community. [4]

Noteworthy Productions

The Jam

The New Georges' "Jam" is a collaborative, artist-led “performance gym” designed for early- to mid-career women+ theatermakers. The Jam blends institutional support with the spirit of a creative collective. Members meet twice a month to share meals, conversations, and works-in-progress, culminating in an annual showcase called the JAMboree, where they present slices of their collaborative projects. According to New Georges, while many exciting new plays are developed through The Jam, "it's the enduring professional relationships built within the group that often have the greatest impact." A new cohort is selected every two years through an open call process. [27]

Audrey Residency

The New Georges' Audrey Residency is a year-long, project-based play development program that immerses artists in the company's wider creative community. Residents—working solo or in collaboration—spend up to three weeks developing a new play in The Room, the company's dedicated workspace. According to New Georges, "Monthly gatherings throughout the year strengthen connections within the cohort and deepen artists' engagement with one another. Now in its eighth cycle, the program has supported 92 artists whose diverse backgrounds, experiences, and artistic approaches reflect the richness of the New Georges community." [28]

References

  1. New Georges. "What We Do." Last modified 2022. https://newgeorges.org/what-we-do/.
  2. Chloe Rabinowitz, "BB Brecht’s HOLIDAY YULETIDE SPECTACULAR to Kick Off New Georges’ 30th Anniversary Season," BroadwayWorld, November 28, 2022, https://www.broadwayworld.com/off-off-broadway/article/bb-brechts-HOLIDAY-YULETIDE-SPECTACULAR-to-Kick-Off-New-Georges-30th-Anniversary-Season-20221128.
  3. Jonas, Julia May. A Woman Among Women. Directed by Sarah Hughes. Co-produced by New Georges and The Bushwick Starr. New York: New Georges, 2024. https://newgeorges.org/the-record-list/a-woman-among-women/.
  4. Clement, Olivia. "New Georges Is Approaching 30 Years Strong and Has a Message for the Theatre Community." Playbill, June 14, 2019. https://playbill.com/article/new-georges-is-approaching-30-years-strong-and-has-a-message-for-the-theatre-community.
  5. Jonas, Julia May. "A Woman Among Women." New Georges. Accessed April 20, 2025. https://newgeorges.org/the-record-list/a-woman-among-women/.
  6. Stess, Ariel. "KARA & EMMA & BARBARA & MIRANDA." New Georges. Accessed April 20, 2025. https://newgeorges.org/the-record-list/kara-emma-barbara-miranda/.
  7. Benson, Kate. "Porto." New Georges. Accessed April 20, 2025. https://newgeorges.org/the-record-list/porto/.
  8. Benson, Kate. “Porto.” WP Theater. Accessed April 20, 2025. https://wptheater.org/show/porto/.
  9. Benson, Kate. "A Beautiful Day in November on the Banks of the Greatest of Great Lakes." New Georges. Accessed April 20, 2025. https://newgeorges.org/the-record-list/a-beautiful-day-in-november-on-the-banks-of-the-greatest-of-great-lakes/.
  10. Benson, Kate. “A Beautiful Day in November on the Banks of the Greatest of the Great Lakes.” WP Theater. Accessed April 20, 2025. https://wptheater.org/show/a-beautiful-day-in-november-on-the-banks-of-the-greatest-of-the-great-lakes/.
  11. Oswald, Sylvan. "Nightlands." New Georges. Accessed April 20, 2025. https://newgeorges.org/the-record-list/nightlands/.
  12. Schreck, Heidi. "Creature." New Georges. Accessed April 20, 2025. https://newgeorges.org/the-record-list/creature/.
  13. Davis, Eisa. "Angela’s Mixtape." New Georges. Accessed April 20, 2025. https://newgeorges.org/the-record-list/angelas-mixtape/.
  14. Weiner, Wendy. "Hillary: A Modern Greek Tragedy with a Somewhat Happy Ending." New Georges. Accessed April 20, 2025. https://newgeorges.org/the-record-list/hillary-a-modern-greek-tragedy-with-a-somewhat-happy-ending/.
  15. Genzlinger, Neil. "Review: Nixon’s Secretary on Her Days of Glory and After" The New York Times, May 9, 2008. https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/09/theater/reviews/09stre.html.
  16. Schwartz, Jenny. God’s Ear. Directed by Anne Kauffman. New York: New Georges, 2007. https://newgeorges.org/the-record-list/gods-ear/. Department of Drama +5
  17. Schwartz, Jenny. 2007. God’s Ear. Directed by Anne Kauffman. New York: Vineyard Theatre. https://vineyardtheatre.org/archive/gods-ear/.
  18. Callaghan, Sheila. Dead City. Directed by Daniella Topol. New York: New Georges, 2006. https://newgeorges.org/the-record-list/dead-city/.
  19. Jefferson, Margo. "Theater Review: Layups for Love in the Heart of an Arena." The New York Times, April 20, 2004. https://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/20/theater/theater-review-layups-for-love-in-the-heart-of-an-arena.html.
  20. D’Amour, Lisa. Anna Bella Eema. Directed by Katie Pearl. New York: New Georges, 2003. https://newgeorges.org/the-record-list/anna-bella-eema/.
  21. Bader, Jenny Lyn. None of the Above. Directed by Julie Kramer. New York: New Georges, 2003. https://newgeorges.org/the-record-list/none-of-the-above/.
  22. Kreitzer, Carson. Self Defense or Death of Some Salesmen. Directed by Randy White. New York: New Georges & Reverie Productions, 2002. https://newgeorges.org/the-record-list/self-defense-or-death-of-some-salesmen/.
  23. Wilson, Tracey Scott. Leader of the People. Directed by Jessica Bauman. New York: New Georges, 1999. https://newgeorges.org/the-record-list/leader-of-the-people/.
  24. Son, Diana. Fishes. Directed by Judy Minor. New York: New Georges, 1998. https://newgeorges.org/the-record-list/fishes/.
  25. Beber, Neena. Tomorrowland. Directed by Maria Mileaf. New York: New Georges, November 1996. https://newgeorges.org/the-record-list/tomorrowland/.
  26. Molloy, Honor, and Bronagh Murphy. Maiden Voyages. Directed by Jessica Bauman. New York: New Georges, April 1–11, 1993. https://newgeorges.org/the-record-list/maiden-voyages/.
  27. New Georges. "Artist Platform: The Jam." Last modified 2022. https://newgeorges.org/artist-platform/#thejam.
  28. New Georges. "The Audrey Residencies." Last modified 2022. https://newgeorges.org/artist-platform/#audrey.