Founded by Curt Dempster and a group of fellow theater artists at the height of the Off-Broadway movement in the late 1960s-early ‘70s, Ensemble Studio Theatre is a not-for-profit company with the twin goals of nurturing individual artists and developing new American plays. EST offers free lifetime membership in the company to theater artists selected via a competitive application process; the current membership numbers more than 500. In addition to its mainstage productions, EST regularly presents readings and workshops of new works-in-progress.
The company is famous for its annual marathon of one-act plays. In fact, it has been widely credited for reviving the one-act play form and inspiring many similar festivals across the country. EST’s literary department continues to accept unsolicited scripts, providing a major opportunity for consideration of works by new playwrights.
- Public Transportation: Good (convenient to subway lines C and E at 50th Street; A, B, D, and 1 at 59th Street/Columbus Circle; and buses M11, M31, M50, and M57)
- Handicapped Accessibility: Good
- Performances/Programs: Schedule varies, but usually Tuesday–Sunday
- Ticket Prices: Admission varies.
