Where is Performance Space New York located?

It is located at 150 First Avenue at the corner of 9th Street in Manhattan's East Village.

What is Performance Space New York known for?

Founded in 1980, the venue is known for expanding the boundaries of live performance and serving as a haven for radical and queer voices during the AIDS crisis. It hosts artist residencies and off-Broadway work.

What are the box office hours?

The box office opens one hour before each show.

Is the venue accessible?

Yes, the performance spaces are located on the 4th floor and have elevator access and gender-neutral restrooms.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

Performance Space New York in New York City

Q: Are there any free events?

Yes, the Open Movement program offers free weekly movement improvisations and artist-led workshops every Sunday from 12 to 4 pm.

Performance Space New York

A legendary East Village venue founded in 1980, Performance Space New York serves as a radical hub for off-Broadway work, queer voices, and experimental movement in a former school building.

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What to know

Performance Space New York is a cornerstone of the East Village arts scene, located at 150 First Avenue at the corner of 9th Street. Founded in 1980 by a collective of artists, the venue began as Performance Space 122, taking root in an abandoned school building. For over four decades, the organization has pushed cultural, theoretical, and political discourse forward, establishing itself as a vital center for avant-garde expression. During the AIDS crisis era, the venue became a critical haven for queer and radical voices who were shut out by a conservative government and a repressive, monocultural mainstream. This legacy of inclusivity continues today through its commitment to experimental work, including artist residencies and off-Broadway productions like Julio Torres's Color Theories. The facility's performance spaces are situated on the 4th floor, featuring the Keith Haring Theatre. These spaces are designed for versatility, equipped with a house sound system and a sprung floor to support diverse physical performances. To ensure accessibility for all visitors, the venue provides elevator access and gender-neutral restrooms. Beyond traditional plays, the venue hosts community-focused programming. This includes the Open Movement program, which offers free weekly movement improvisations and artist-led workshops every Sunday from 12 to 4 pm. Additionally, the venue operates CLUB, a project inspired by the early-1980s performance-club culture of the Lower East Side.

Visitor tips

If attending a show, arrive early as the box office only opens one hour before the performance.
Visit on a Sunday between 12 and 4 pm to participate in the free Open Movement workshops.
For CLUB events, remember that entry is first-come, first-served at the door.
Use the elevator to reach the theaters and the Keith Haring Theatre on the 4th floor.

Nearby context

Situated at the intersection of First Avenue and 9th Street, this venue is a living piece of the East Village's history, embodying the radical, artist-led spirit that defined the neighborhood's Lower East Side performance-club culture in the early 1980s.

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