Soho Rep

Founded in 1975, and in their theatre on Walker Street since 1991, Soho Rep has built a reputation for being at the forefront of new and innovative theatre, serving as a vital centre for contemporary theatre artists.

They also successfully attract one of the youngest adult theatregoing audiences in New York City with over 62% under the age of 40.

Actors Kathleen Turner, Ed O’Neill, Allison Janney, John C. Reilly and Kevin Spacey made their professional debuts at Soho Rep, and the long list of illustrious Soho Rep acting alumni includes Steve Buscemi, Jonathan Frakes, Steve Mellor, Will Patton, Bill Sadler, John Seitz, Tim Blake Nelson, Margaret Whitton and Frank Wood.

Many of their main stage productions have emerged from new play development and commissioning programs, often resulting in artistically lauded productions.

Since 2000, Soho Rep and their productions have garnered eleven OBIE Awards, six Drama Desk Nominations, the Oppenheimer Award, Kesselring Prize, and The New York Times Outstanding Playwriting Award.

Jerry Engelbach and Marlene Swartz founded Soho Rep in July 1975. As co-artistic directors, they produced over a hundred plays. After Engelbach left to pursue other projects, Swartz ran the theatre solo before handing the reins to English director Julian Webber.

Soho Rep’s founding mission was to present relatively rare classical plays. After several years producing works from Shakespeare to Shaw, the theatre – under Webber – evolved its mission to include rarely seen modern plays and new works, the latter of which still holds as the theatre’s singular mission.

In 1998 Daniel Aukin became Artistic Director alongside Executive Director Alexandra Conley. The two produced new work by artists including Adam Bock, Young Jean Lee, Richard Maxwell, Melissa James Gibson, Quincy Long, The Flying Machine and Maria Irene Fornes.

In 2006, Sarah Benson became the fourth Artistic Director of the company. She directed the New York premiere of Sarah Kane’s BLASTED to critical acclaim in fall 2008, and has produced work by other writers and groups including John Jesurun, Nature Theatre of Oklahoma, Dan LeFranc, Young Jean Lee and Debbie tucker green.

THE TEAM

Sarah Benson, Artistic Director

Cynthia Flowers, Executive Director

Caleb Hammons, Producer

Raphael Martin, Literary & Humanities Manager

Chip Rodgers, Facilities Manager

Teff Nichols, Development Associate

Reed Ridgley, Bookkeeper

Jack Doulin, C.S.A.Casting

Nathan Shreeve, Artistic & Producing Assistant

401 Broadway, Suite 300

New York, New York 10013