New York City boasts a vibrant array of theatrical organizations, each contributing to the performing arts scene with unique productions, plays, and musicals. Among them is The People’s Theatre, a remarkable group that crafts theatrical works specifically for immigrant communities. Their mission? To build a more just and equitable world. We delve deeper into their story on manhattan-trend.com.
The People’s Theatre Story
The People’s Theatre was co-founded in 2009 by theatre artists Mio Lora, an immigrant from the Dominican Republic, and Bob Braswell, a long-time New Yorker. They established it as a grassroots initiative with a broad vision: to foster a culture of peace through theatre. For its first decade, The People’s Theatre collaborated with a coalition of stakeholders, driving the artistic and cultural revitalization of Upper Manhattan. Simultaneously, they developed their capacity to become a powerful platform for the voices of immigrants and people of color.
The organization’s early artistic collaborations sparked the creation of inspiring entities, such as the Word Up Community Bookshop, among others. In 2009, a partnership with NewYork-Presbyterian launched a pilot program to create health-focused theatrical productions for children aged 5 to 12. This initiative eventually evolved into what is now known as The People’s Theatre Academy.
Between 2010 and 2016, The People’s Theatre staged a dozen forum theatre productions that toured the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. This project played a role in the creation of the now well-established non-profit organization, Theatre of the Oppressed NYC. In the summer of 2014, a program funded by the U.S. State Department allowed the organization to showcase its community-based theatrical work in the Dominican Republic as part of the Santo Domingo International Theatre Festival. This endeavor opened the door to a second year of programming through a partnership with the DREAM Project.
Overcoming Challenges
In its early years, The People’s Theatre held classes, rehearsals, and performances in various locations across New York City. In 2015, the organization was invited to become a resident company at Alianza Dominicana in Washington Heights. This provided them with two rehearsal studios and event spaces, enabling The People’s Theatre to begin offering a consistent schedule of public programs. Four years later, the organization started leasing a rehearsal studio and administrative office in the Workspace Offices complex at 5030 Broadway in Inwood, further allowing them to expand their operations.
From 2015 to 2017, the organization partnered with the Office of English Language Learners (now known as the Office of Multilingual Learners – MLL). This collaboration allowed them to deliver arts-integrated programs to immigrant students in 32 schools across four boroughs. However, with a small administrative staff of three working at full capacity, it became clear that such a wide geographical reach was unsustainable. In the spring of 2017, The People’s Theatre embarked on a comprehensive strategic planning process.
Staff, families, alumni, school principals, and other community stakeholders participated in developing the strategic plan. The outcome was a refreshed mission and vision centered on local youth and immigrants. During this time, the organization also revitalized its board of directors, invested in new program and development staff positions, implemented a focused program model, and diversified its funding portfolio.
Beginning in March 2020, the organization’s strength and creativity were tested by the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff, leadership, and partners worked tirelessly to adapt their programming to a virtual space. In May 2022, New York City announced that The People’s Theatre would operate The People’s Theatre: Centro Cultural Inmigrante. The organization subsequently became the city’s largest Latino-led theatre and New York’s first cultural center dedicated to the immigrant experience. In February 2025, the organization changed its name from People’s Theatre Project to The People’s Theatre.
The Core Values of The People’s Theatre
The People’s Theatre is the largest performing arts organization from Midtown to Harlem. With its ensemble-driven, multilingual, and intergenerational programs, this unique theatre is a powerful artistic platform for immigrants and a vital member of the Latino, African-American, and LGBTQIA+ communities. At the heart of the organization’s mission is a commitment to change. The team strives to harness the power of theatre and cultural organizations to involve members of a multifaceted society in their work. By collaborating with diverse businesses and individuals, The People’s Theatre is working to build a more inclusive and just world where the voices of marginalized groups are heard and justice becomes a reality.
Fighting for immigrant rights holds a special place in the organization’s work. Through the transformative power of theatre, the team highlights the stories and hardships faced by immigrant communities, underscoring their resilience and vital contributions to American society. By using theatre to humanize the immigrant experience, the team seeks to shift perceptions and advocate for fair and humane immigration policies that recognize the dignity of all people, regardless of background.
The People’s Theatre’s main programming includes the development and presentation of immigrant-centered theatrical productions and a social justice leadership program focused on the holistic development of young people. Through this multifaceted approach, the company motivates its artists and audience members to advocate not only for their own interests but also for communities worldwide. The organization’s professionals aim to develop and stage original theatrical productions, created by immigrant artists of various racial backgrounds, that celebrate hope, life, and resistance. Professional artists, hailing from countries including Greece, Nigeria, and Iran, draw on their unique experiences to create productions that reflect their history and challenge stereotypes.
The People’s Theatre believes in equality. The organization’s team sees the full humanity and great strength contained within immigrants and young people. They work to create a world where the oppressed can find liberation. Furthermore, the company’s actors effortlessly create spaces where everyone can reveal their true self. Collaborative work—both on stage and in the office—is more effective than working alone. By listening to and building upon each other’s ideas, the team shares both power and responsibility. The People’s Theatre collective believes that access to art is a fundamental right for every person. Moreover, art plays a crucial role in creating the compassionate and just world in which we work and create. The People’s Theatre continues to delight audiences with engaging and heartfelt performances that uplift spirits and spark reflection.
