10 Best Performing Arts in East Village, New York City

Dedicated to preserving and exhibiting independent and avant-garde film, the Anthology Film Archives has two screening rooms (seating about 200 and 100, respectively) as well as a film repository and a library, all inside a 1919 redbrick courthouse. Cofounded in 1970 by the downtown legend and filmmaker Jonas Mekas, Anthology remains a major destination for adventurous and unusual movies, new as well as old. The Essential Cinema series delves into the works of canonized groundbreaking directors; the frequent festivals are more eclectic.

The reigning arbiter of poetry slams, the Nuyorican Poets Cafe is known for hosting the influential granddaddy (b. 1989) of the spoken-word scene, the Wednesday and Friday Night Poetry Slams as well as a variety of open-mike nights, the latter of which have been mostly online during the pandemic. These days there are outdoor events on the schedule as well, but check the website for updates.

Fresh, exciting theater keeps people talking about the Public Theater, which was founded in 1954 but has most recently seen such hits as Lin-Manuel Miranda’s current Broadway sensation Hamilton, and David Byrne and Fatboy Slim's "poperetta" Here Lies Love, about Imelda Marcos. Many more noted productions that began here (Hair, A Chorus Line) went on to Broadway and beyond. Tickets for the constantly changing roster of shows are available through the website; some "rush" tickets (day-of) are available on a first-come-first-served basis. This is also the company that puts on Shakespeare in the Park in Central Park in summer. On the mezzanine of the theater, The Library restaurant and bar is an elegant spot for a meal or a drink, whether or not you're attending a show.

At the CSC's cozy 199-seat theater, you can see work by Shakespeare as well as excellent revivals—such as dramas by Tennessee Williams or Eugene O'Neill and Sondheim musicals—often with a modern spin, reigning theatrical stars, and new scores.

Founded to foster the work of independent choreographers, Danspace Project sponsors performances that are as fresh—and idiosyncratic—as the historic church space they occupy. Series curated by guest artists are also a regular part of the calendar. Some events are free.

The late Ellen Stewart founded La MaMa E.T.C. in 1961 in a small Manhattan basement. Since that time, the Experimental Theatre Club has grown continuously, all the while taking risks on unknown works that cross cultures and performance disciplines. (Blue Man Group, for instance, got its start here.) In an effort to keep theater accessible, ticket prices start at $15–$25 across the theater's several venues. In addition to theater performances, there's a continuing program of dance, puppetry, and poetry readings.

Works by new and established playwrights anchor this theater's repertoire. Jonathan Larson's Rent got its start here before going to Broadway, and works by Tony Kushner (Homebody/Kabul), Caryl Churchill, Amy Herzog, and Paul Rudnick have also been staged here. Heidi Schreck's What the Constitution Means to Me also ran here, as did an early version of Anaïs Mitchell's Hadestown.

Founded in 1980 inside a 19th-century public school building, Performance Space 122 has helped launch the careers of many downtown musicians and artists, both on the fringe and otherwise. Familiar names that graced the marquee over the years include Spalding Gray, John Leguizamo, and Young Jean Lee. After a renovation, it reopened in 2018 with two new theaters and a modernized interior. Expect a schedule of interdisciplinary works that blend performance with installations and readings by different artists with varied visions.

Launched in 1966, the Poetry Project has been a source of sustenance for poets (and their audiences) ever since. This place has seen performances by Eric Bogosian, Allen Ginsberg, Amiri Baraka, Sam Shepard, Patti Smith, Anne Waldman, Jim Carroll, Philip Glass, and many others. Current readings feature artists of a similar caliber.