Equity Library Theatre

Founded in 1943 by Sam Jaffe, representing Actors' Equity, and George Freedley, at the time curator of the New York Public Library Theatre Collection, Equity Library Theatre, or ELT (as it is often referred to), was designed to provide a showcase for young actors, directors, and technicians and to create an audience from among those who could not afford commercial theatre. A non‐profit organization, it originally presented its plays at libraries and charged no admission but asked instead for a contribution to help sustain it. Beginning in 1949, it operated its own theatre, first at the Lenox Hill Playhouse and later at other auditoriums. Actors whose careers were helped by early appearances with the organization include James Earl Jones, Richard Kiley, and Jason Robards. Financial problems forced its closing during the 1989–90 season.

Piney Fork Press Theater of New York resurrected the name and ideals and provides new playwrights a chance to present their works in New York City library performance spaces, in a casual play festival format, at no cost to anyone. In 2014, they produced a reading of David Garrick's Catherine and Petruchio, a rarely performed 18th Century adaptation of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew, as well as a presentation of short plays by John Ladd, at the NYPL George Bruce Theater. In 2015, they present a reading of short plays by writers from the Provincetown Playhouse and other early 20th century NYC writers, including OVERTONES by Alice Gerstenberg, as well as a new play by Pamela Robbins, and a staged reading of THE FATHER. The Village Light Opera Guild joins them for a musical cabaret in 2016. Their new play festival is now in its fifth year. More at www.equitylibrarytheater.info.

External links

• Equity Library Theatre records, 1944-1990, held by the Billy Rose Theatre Division, New York Public Library for the Performing Arts