The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center has officially opened the Harvey Fierstein Theatre Lab, a state-of-the-art theater incubator designed by the Rockwell Group. The new space, made possible by a donation from Tony Award-winning playwright and actor Harvey Fierstein, is dedicated to fostering creativity and accessibility for theater artists of all kinds.
The Lab was inaugurated on December 17, 2024, with an opening ceremony, performances, and a demonstration of the space. This milestone marks the start of a yearlong celebration of the Library for the Performing Arts’ 60th anniversary.
Inspired by the experimental theater scene of Fierstein’s early career, the Theatre Lab offers a flexible, technology-rich environment for creative exploration. The space is designed to host a wide range of activities, including table readings, rehearsals, professional development sessions, screenings, and performances. It also grants free access to the Library’s vast archive of Broadway and Off-Broadway materials, including thousands of filmed theater performances.
Through workshops, fellowships, and networking opportunities, the Harvey Fierstein Theatre Lab aims to support actors, designers, directors, and other theater makers. Initiatives such as the “Across a Crowded Room” program continue to offer emerging talents opportunities to collaborate and innovate in theater arts.
The Theatre Lab enhances the Library’s role as a hub for arts education. With its integration of the Theatre on Film and Tape Archive, the Lab allows users to explore the works of past playwrights while accessing cutting-edge tools for creative experimentation.
Roberta Pereira, Executive Director of the Library for the Performing Arts, emphasized the Library’s commitment to accessibility: “This new, first-of-its-kind theater incubator and arts education space takes our efforts to make performing arts accessible to more emerging and established artists of all types to a new level.”
The Harvey Fierstein Theatre Lab promises to be a transformative space for the performing arts, celebrating both the legacy of theater and the creativity of its future generations.
