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Ensemble Studio Theatre

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Ensemble Studio Theatre BIO

Ensemble Studio Theatre (William Carden, Artistic Director; Paul A. Slee, Executive Director) -- commonly known as EST -- was founded by Curt Dempster in 1968 on the belief that extraordinary support yields extraordinary work. It is a dynamic and expanding family of theatre people committed to the discovery and nurturing of new voices, and the continued support and growth of artists throughout their creative lives. Its ensemble works together repeatedly over time to develop and produce original, provocative, and authentic new plays. With 591 ensemble artists concentrated mainly in New York City, EST has been under the artistic direction of William Carden since 2007. EST was honored with 2012 Obie Awards for its under-30 playwrights program, Youngblood, and for Ensemble artist Steven Boyer for his outstanding performance in 2011's breakout success, Hand To God, developed and originally produced by EST. Hand To God opened to rave reviews at the Booth Theater on Broadway in March 2015, and is now nominated for five Tony Awards. EST received two 2013 Drama Desk Award Nominations for its sold-out production of Finks by Joe Gilford. In 2014 its original production Year of the Rooster, by Eric Dufault, garnered a 2014 Drama Desk Award best featured actor nomination for Bobby Moreno and a NY Outer Critics Circle John Gassner Award for Eric Dufault for an outstanding Off Broadway debut by a playwright.

Ensemble Studio Theatre Productions

 
[Off-Broadway, 2004]
Producer
 
[Off-Off-Broadway, 1986]
Producer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1984]
Producer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1979]
Producer

Ensemble Studio Theatre Awards and Nominations


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2015 - Special Award

Ensemble Studio Theatre, When January Feels Like Summer

Tony Awards - 2015 - Best Play

Ensemble Studio Theatre, Hand to God


winner
Obie Awards - 2012 - Special Citation: Ross Wetzsteon Grant

Ensemble Studio TheatreYoungblood

Helen Hayes Awards - 2011 - Outstanding Resident Play

Studio TheatreSuperior Donuts

Helen Hayes Awards - 2010 - Outstanding Resident Musical

Studio TheatreAdding Machine: A Musical

Helen Hayes Awards - 2009 - The Canadian Embassy Award for Outstanding Ensemble, Resident Play

Studio TheatreHistory Boys

Helen Hayes Awards - 2008 - Outstanding Resident Play

Studio TheatreSouvenir, A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins


winner
Helen Hayes Awards - 2007 - Outstanding Resident Musical

Studio TheatreCaroline, or Change

Helen Hayes Awards - 2006 - Outstanding Non-Resident Production

Studio TheatreRicky Jay and His 52 Assistants


winner
Helen Hayes Awards - 2006 - Outstanding Resident Play

Studio TheatreTake Me Out

Helen Hayes Awards - 2006 - Outstanding Resident Play

Studio TheatreA Number

Helen Hayes Awards - 2005 - Outstanding Non-Resident Production

Studio TheatreFlow


winner
Helen Hayes Awards - 2004 - Outstanding Non-Resident Production

Studio TheatreLackawanna Blues


winner
Helen Hayes Awards - 2003 - Outstanding Non-Resident Production

Studio TheatreLypsinka! The Boxed Set

Helen Hayes Awards - 2002 - Outstanding Resident Musical

Studio TheatreA New Brain

Helen Hayes Awards - 2002 - Outstanding Resident Play

Studio TheatreJitney

Helen Hayes Awards - 2002 - Outstanding Resident Play

Studio TheatreThe Invention of Love

Helen Hayes Awards - 2001 - Outstanding Resident Play

Studio TheatreMASTER HAROLD ... and the boys

Helen Hayes Awards - 2000 - Outstanding Resident Musical

Studio TheatreSlam!


winner
Helen Hayes Awards - 2000 - Outstanding Resident Play

Studio TheatreIndian Ink

Helen Hayes Awards - 1999 - Outstanding Non-Resident Production

Studio TheatreVagina Monologues

Helen Hayes Awards - 1999 - Outstanding Resident Play

Studio TheatreSeven Guitars

Helen Hayes Awards - 1999 - Outstanding Resident Play

Studio TheatreOld Settler

Helen Hayes Awards - 1998 - Outstanding Resident Play

Studio TheatreOld Wicked Songs

Helen Hayes Awards - 1997 - Outstanding Resident Musical

Studio TheatreHip 2: Birth of the Boom


winner
Helen Hayes Awards - 1996 - Outstanding Resident Musical

Studio TheatreBessie's Blues

Helen Hayes Awards - 1996 - Outstanding Resident Play

Studio TheatreThree Sisters

Helen Hayes Awards - 1993 - Outstanding Resident Musical

Studio TheatreFalsettoland

Helen Hayes Awards - 1993 - Outstanding Resident Play

Studio TheatreLisbon Traviata

Helen Hayes Awards - 1992 - Outstanding Resident Production

Studio TheatreWhen I Was a Girl I Used to Scream and Shout

Helen Hayes Awards - 1991 - Outstanding Resident Production

Studio TheatreFrankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune

Olivier Awards - 1990 - Outstanding Set Design, Resident Production

Studio Theatre

Olivier Awards - 1990 - Outstanding Supporting Actress, Resident Production

Studio Theatre

Olivier Awards - 1989 - Outstanding Resident Musical

Studio TheatreGifts of the Magi

Olivier Awards - 1988 - Outstanding Supporting Actress, Resident Production

Studio Theatre

Olivier Awards - 1988 - Outstanding Supporting Actress, Resident Production

Studio Theatre

Ensemble Studio Theatre Videos

Ensemble Studio Theatre News


Quincy Tyler Bernstine & Anne Washburn to be Honored at The Civilians 2024 Gala


The Civilians' 23/24 Gala will celebrate A NOVEL REALITY — theater that awakens new thinking and perceptions. Learn more about the gala and see how to attend!

Keen Company to Present DIRECTORFEST in May At Theatre Row


Discover the talents of two emerging directors as Keen Company collaborates with The Drama League for DIRECTORFEST at Theatre Row. Learn more!

LAS BORINQUEÑAS Extends at Ensemble Studio Theatre


Ensemble Studio Theatre will extend the world premiere of LAS BORINQUEÑAS by Nelson Diaz-Marcano and directed by Rebecca Aparicio one additional week to Sunday, May 5.

World Premiere of THE SABBATH GIRL Will Open Penguin Rep's 2024 Season


Penguin Rep Theatre will present the world premiere of The Sabbath Girl, a new musical with book by Cary Gitter, lyrics by Neil Berg and Mr. Gitter, and music by Mr. Berg, beginning Friday, May 3, in Stony Point, New York.

Finn Cole Will Lead European Première of Lucas Hnath's RED SPEEDO


Orange Tree Theatre has announced Finn Cole, known for his roles in Peaky Blinders and Animal Kingdom, will make his professional stage debut playing Ray in the European première of Lucas Hnath's Red Speedo directed by Matthew Dunster.

SC New Play Festival to Present Works From Gwon, Grays, Cabaret from Boykin, and More


The South Carolina New Play Festival has announced the 3rd annual festival. It will take place over four days, starting on Thursday, August 8, and will feature a wide range of musicals, plays, town halls, an outdoor variety stage, and will culminate in a Cabaret featuring Tony-nominee Phillip Boykin (Hadestown) on August 11.  

Desi Moreno-Penson's BODEGA CAT To Receive A Staged Reading At Houghton Hall


BODEGA CAT, a new play by Latina playwright Desi Moreno-Penson, will have a staged reading at Houghton Hall. Learn more about the show!

Chalk Repertory Theatre & Ensemble Studio Theatre/LA Present World Premiere Productions PANG SPA & TWO STOP


Experience the premiere of PANG SPA and TWO STOP, companion productions centered around the 1992 LA Uprising, presented by Chalk Rep and EST/LA during AAPI Heritage Month from May 2 to June 9.

Soho Rep to Present World Premiere of Raja Feather Kelly's THE FIRES


Soho Rep will present The Fires, a world premiere play written and directed by Raja Feather Kelly. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.

Tory Kittles, Brittany Inge & Stori Ayers to Star in HOME on Broadway


Roundabout Theatre Company has revealed the complete cast for the new production of Home by Samm-Art Williams, not seen on Broadway in more than 40 years, directed by Kenny Leon. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.

Meet the Cast of STEREOPHONIC, Beginning Previews Tonight on Broadway


Stereophonic by David Adjmi begins previews on Broadway tonight, April 3. The production officially opens on Friday, April 19, running for 14 weeks only at Broadway’s Golden Theatre. Meet the cast of Stereophonic here!

Meet the Cast of UNCLE VANYA, Beginning Previews Tonight on Broadway


Uncle Vayna is back this season courtesy of Lincoln Center Theater. This version of the play features a new translation by Heidi Schreck and is directed by Lila Neugebauer.  Meet the cast of Uncle Vanya here!

Amy Brenneman Featured in SCR's World Premiere of GALILEE, 34


South Coast Repertory has announced the cast and creative team for the world premiere of Galilee, 34 by Eleanor Burgess. Directed by Davis McCallum, the story exploring the disciples in the aftermath of the Crucifixion, runs April 21-May 12, 2024 on the Julianne Argyros Stage.

Larry Owens to Direct Sherie Rene Scott & More in THE DYING GAUL Staged Reading


Co-Founders Patrick Reilly and Tucker Aust have launched The Queer Ensemble. The collective's inaugural event will be a staged reading of Craig Lucas' The Dying Gaul. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.

WAITRESS, FAT HAM & More Set for San Francisco Playhouse 2024/25 Season


San Francisco Playhouse has revealed its 22nd season, to be presented September 2024 to September 2025. See the full lineup and learn how to purchase tickets.

Denver Center Theatre Company to Present WHERE DID WE SIT ON THE BUS? and THE LEHMAN TRILOGY


The Denver Center Theatre Company has revealed the full casting and creative teams for Where Did We Sit on the Bus? and The Lehman Trilogy. 

West Coast Premiere of 'A' TRAIN Comes to Rubicon Theatre


Rubicon Theatre will continue the company’s 25th Anniversary Season with the West Coast Premiere run of “A” TRAIN, an award-winning play-with-music about a mother’s journey on the autism train.

Photos: Inside the 2024 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize Ceremony


The 2024 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize has been awarded to UK playwright Ava Pickett for her play 1536.  Awarded annually since 1978, The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize is the largest and oldest international award recognizing women+ who have written works of outstanding quality for the English-speaking theatre. See photos from inside the ceremony here.

Tipping Point Theatre to Present Michigan's First Production Of THE SQUIRRELS


Tipping Point Theatre will conclude its 16th theatrical season with the Michigan premiere production of The Squirrels by Robert Askins. Learn how to purchase tickets.

Ensemble Studio Theatre Announces 2024 FIRST LIGHT FESTIVAL


Ensemble Studio Theatre and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation have announced the line-up for the 2024 First Light Festival, part of the EST/Sloan Project to develop plays exploring science and technology.

Ensemble Studio Theatre FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What awards has Ensemble Studio Theatre been nominated for?

Ensemble Studio Theatre has been nominated for various awards including the Special Award at the Drama Desk Awards for "When January Feels Like Summer," Best Play at the Tony Awards for "Hand to God," and the Special Citation: Ross Wetzsteon Grant at the Obie Awards for "Youngblood." They have also received nominations at the Helen Hayes Awards for categories such as Outstanding Resident Play, Outstanding Resident Musical, Outstanding Non-Resident Production, and Outstanding Set Design. Additionally, they have been recognized at the Olivier Awards for Outstanding Resident Musical and Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Resident Production.

What awards has Ensemble Studio Theatre won?

Ensemble Studio Theatre has won several awards, including the Special Award at the Drama Desk Awards for "When January Feels Like Summer," the Special Citation Ross Wetzsteon Grant at the Obie Awards for "Youngblood," Outstanding Resident Musical at the Helen Hayes Awards for "Caroline, or Change," Outstanding Resident Play at the Helen Hayes Awards for "Take Me Out," Outstanding Non-Resident Production at the Helen Hayes Awards for "Lackawanna Blues," Outstanding Non-Resident Production at the Helen Hayes Awards for "Lypsinka! The Boxed Set," Outstanding Resident Play at the Helen Hayes Awards for "Indian Ink," and Outstanding Resident Musical at the Helen Hayes Awards for "Bessie's Blues."

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