TFANA

Founded in 1979 by Jeffrey Horowitz and led by Horowitz until 2025 as Founding Artistic Director, Theatre for a New Audience (TFANA) is a New York home for Shakespeare and other contemporary playwrights. It nurtures artists, culture, and community. On September 1, 2025 Arin Arbus succeeded Jeffrey Horowitz as Artistic Director, with Dorothy Ryan serving as Executive Director. It performs for audiences of all ages and backgrounds; is devoted to economic access through its New Deal Initiative which offers $20 tickets for age 30 and under and full-time students of any age; and promotes humanities and education programs. TFANA created and runs the largest program to introduce Shakespeare and classic drama in New York City’s public schools; the program has now served more than 140,000 students. With Shakespeare as its guide, TFANA explores the ever-changing forms of world theatre and builds a dialogue between the language and ideas of Shakespeare and diverse authors, past and present. TFANA builds long-term associations with artists from around the world; supports commissions, translations, artists’ residencies, and developmental workshops with the Merle Debuskey Studio Fund.