Performance Space 122

Performance Space 122, generally known as P.S. 122, is a not-for-profit arts Organisation and one of the longest standing venues dedicated to contemporary performance art in New York City.

Founded in 1979 in the abandoned Public School 122 building at 150 First Avenue at East 9th Street in the East Village neighbourhood of Manhattan. P.S. 122 has hosted thousands of world-premier and ongoing works by such artists as Eric Bogosian, Spalding Gray, Karen Finley, Eddie Izzard, John Leguizamo, and Ron Athey, companies such as Big Art Group, Julie Atlas Muz, Proto-type Theater, Young Jean Lee's Theater Company and New York City Players as well as countless other emerging artists.

P.S. 122 began its presentation history in 1980 with the first "Avant-Garde-Drama", a multidisciplinary showcase, and published its first complete calendar of performances, classes and workshops.

The first full-length public play or performance presented in P.S. 122, in October 1980, was a play by Robin Epstein and Dorothy Cantwell's experimental women's theatre company, More Fire! Productions.

P.S. 122 doubled its programming in 1986 when it converted the old gym into a performance space to be used for extended runs of small theatre groups and as a site for community meetings.

In 2005, P.S. 122 was among 406 New York City arts and social service institutions to receive part of a $20 million grant from the Carnegie Corporation, which was made possible through a donation by New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg.

P.S. 122 now boasts two theatres and presents dance, performance art, music and film and video. It has a professional technical and administrative staff, a national touring program, an active commission program and low-cost rehearsal space.

Its first floor space, the former school gym, is a small 69-seat black box approximately 30' wide by 22' deep with a 10'10" lighting grid height; its second floor space (the former school cafeteria) is a larger 128-seat black box, 50' wide by 32' deep with a 12' lighting grid height.

Performance Space 122 is dedicated to supporting and presenting artists whose work challenges the traditional boundaries of dance, theatre, music, and performance.

THE TEAM

Vallejo Gantner, Artistic Director

Winnie Fung, Director of Business and Organisational Resources

Derek Lloyd, Director of Production

Laura Nicoll, Communications & Branding Manager

Alex Reeves, Creative Technology Developer

Bevin Ross, Institutional Giving Manager

Lori Vroegindewey, Individual Giving Manager

Jess Edkins, Creative Producer

Amy Rogoway, Creative Producer

Chris Walters, Patron Relations, Box Office and Rentals Manager

Erica Reich, Office Assistant