| |
|
WOW Café Theatre
WOW Café Theatre is the nation’s oldest surviving women’s theatre collective, dedicated to providing space for all women and trans artists to develop and present their art in New York City. WOW is committed to providing an affordable and accessible venue for those who are marginalized and misrepresented in mainstream theatre, especially women and trans artists of color and lesbian, bisexual and queer women. The collective welcomes women and trans artists in solidarity with women’s spaces, regardless of any prior theatre experience, to learn about and participate in all aspects of theatre and performance.
WOW, or Women’s One World, began as an international women’s theatre festival in 1980. Soon after, the group moved into its own space and began its tenure as an East Village arts institution dedicated to presenting women’s performance year-round. In 1984, WOW moved to the black box theatre it inhabits today at 59-61 East 4th Street.
Any woman or trans artist in solidarity with women’s spaces is welcome to attend our weekly meetings and join the collective. W acknowledge the links between different kinds of oppressions and strive to be open to all sexualities, spiritualities, to be multi-lingual and intergenerational, and to challenge all oppressions including racism, classism, ableism, sexism ageism, and sizeism. As an anarchist collective, there are no hierarchies in our decision-making, nor are there any artistic directors to dictate what is presented at the theatre. Instead, collective members help each other with all aspects of their artistic endeavors.
We provide a working theater space to our members and the technical support to create and produce works, regardless of economic status. Theatre experience is not necessary, since there is no shortage of members willing to share their knowledge. By helping with other people’s productions, members gain “sweat equity,” which earns them producing time in the theatre. With their earned time, members are free to present their chosen artistic endeavor.
|
|
