Joseph Papp
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Joseph Papp was an American theatrical producer and director. Papp is a pioneering figure in American theater, known for creating Shakespeare in the Park, which aimed to make classical theater accessi
Papp in 1982
Brooklyn, New York
The Public Theater, housed in the Astor Library Building
Charles Gordone, the first African American to win the Pulitzer Prize.
The Public Theater
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The Public Theater is an arts organization based in Manhattan, New York City. Founded by Joseph Papp, the Public Theater was originally the Shakespeare Workshop in 1954; its mission was to support eme
Joseph Papp
…to all people by producing free-of-charge performances. He was a known advocate for non-traditional and diverse casting practices. He established The Public Theater in what had been the Astor Library Building in Lower Manhattan. There Papp created a year-round producing home to focus on new plays and musicals…
The Astor Library Building, where the Public Theater is headquartered
The Public Theater logo
Members of the Mobile Unit get in some last-minute rehearsal before an outdoor performance of Shakespeare's As You Like It at Astor Place (2026).
The Astor Library Building in the latter half of the 19th century