Theatre for a New Audience Opens Doors With A Midsummer Night’s Dream
After wandering around for 35 years, the Theatre for a New Audience has its first permanent home in Fort Greene called the Polonsky Shakespeare Center. The classical theatre company, which produces Shakespeare and other classical dramas, roamed around New York City, putting its plays on in other theaters, school gymnasiums and even a YMCA. And what better way to celebrate a new space than with an inaugural production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” on Saturday, Nov. 2, at the company’s space on Ashland Place?
The company, founded by Jeffery Horowitz in 1979, originally announced plans for the building in 2005. After 8 years of hard work, Horowitz said that it was a momentous moment for him to cut the ribbon on Oct. 22.
“We have been itinerant since 1979 and produce Shakespeare alongside other major authors for diverse audiences,” Horowitz said. “The Theatre will now be able to support artists and build audiences for all of our programs as part this incredibly dynamic community.”
The construction of the new theater cost $69 million – $34.4 million from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the Office of the Brooklyn Borough President, with the rest from private donations. The center was named to honor the $10 million gift from the Polonsky Foundation and features the first stage built for Shakespeare and classic drama productions in New York City since the Vivian Beaumont in 1965.
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is directed by multiple Tony Award winner Julie Traymor and features music composed by Academy Award and Golden Globe-winner Elliot Goldenthal.
“I actually never wanted to do Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Traymor told Brooklyn Based of the production. “But then this idea of a play that really is about a blessing of a wedding or a blessing of a house, it really felt like this is the play that we should be inaugurating this theater with.”
This is the fifth show Traymor has directed for the Theatre for a New Audience, and it won’t be her last. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” runs Tuesday through Sunday until Jan. 12, and single tickets are $75. Subscriptions for the inaugural season are $147 for a three-play package and $294 for a six-play, two-season package. Tickets can be purchased online or by phone at (866) 811-4111.
