“I became a writer because of the opportunities provided by downtown theater. It is where I acquired a voice, a work ethic and a community. The Indie Theater Fund will make it possible for the generations that follow to do the same.” – Stephen Belber, Match, McReele, Emmy nominee for Laramie Project.
“I’m extraordinarily proud that my roots are in downtown independent theater. The work that comes out of these small black box spaces is vital to the artistic energy of New York City. I want to make sure these theater companies have the support they need to survive.”
– Spencer Kayden, Tony nominee Urinetown, the Musical! Don’t Dress for Dinner
“As a veteran of both the downtown theatre scene and the uptown Broadway world, I can think of nothing more important than the Indie Theater Fund to ensure the continued strength and diversity of New York City’s theatrical output.” – Kevin Bernard, Billy Elliot, Thoroughly Modern Millie
“The Indie Theater Fund offers the big fish a clear and practical way of helping out the little fish. And as any credible marine biologist will tell you, no little fish, no big fish.” – Greg Kotis, Tony winner, Urinetown, the Musical!
“Having worked continuously as an actor on Broadway, off, off-off and off-off-off Broadway, I can’t think of a more targeted and timely proposal to support the ongoing growth of New York City’s creative potential . Please consider my enthusiastic support as a 100% endorsement of this vital initiative to NYC’s artistic growth.” – Rob Breckenridge, 39 Steps
“I have done most of my work on Broadway. I have won two Tony awards and been in a total of 8 Broadway shows. So why do I support the Indie Theater Fund? ‘Cause I can’t afford to go see plays unless I am in them, that’s why. I think we are discovering that the economic model for commercial productions above 34th street (and several below) has become, at best, obsolete, and, at worst, unethical. Thank God for our little theatres!!! Who else is gonna provide the city with honest and undiluted theatrical voices? I have 3 kids. I have to work mostly uptown. But when I want to SEE theatre, I head Off-Off Broadway. Everyone knows that’s where the real action is.”
– Norbert Leo Butz, Tony winner, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Catch Me if You Can
“Of course. Come on. Get on board.” – John Clancy, OBIE Award for direction, co-founder of the New York International Fringe Festival
“I started my career in downtown theater and I intend to return there as often as I can. The Indie Theater Fund is not only supporting some of the most interesting, risk-taking, thoughtful and original work in New York today, it is nurturing the future of American Theater. The Pulitzer, Tony, and Oscar award winners of tomorrow are, right now, starting their careers in downtown independent theater. Get in on the ground floor.” – Matt Maher, OBIE Award winner for The Race of the Arc Tattoo
“The Indie Theater Fund represents a coming together of actual artistic and theatrical forces that may yet undo the difficulty of our times in maintaining the highest artistic standards in a period of economic crisis. Who can save us from the downhill trend of our economy except the vigor of our arts? Theatre, music and education are our only hopes to lift our times beyond their despair and create a viable, prosperous culture.” – Judith Malina, Founder of The Living Theater
“We all know that the R&D done by outsider theater artists pushes the whole art form forward in the most unexpected and crazily optimistic ways. That heart-wrenching, mind-boggling and form-pushing show you saw last week at that wee black box out in the hinterlands? Who knows where that show can go! Onward, upward, outward! Well the Indie Theater Fund demands that we all put our money where our mouths are. The Indie Theater Fund compels us to support the dynamic symbiosis of the many diverse and risky voices that swirl and churn together in the magical melting pot that is New York theater. The Indie Theater Fund is a prime example of the super D.I.Y. ethos of the theater community. Now the big boys (and girls) have to pony up too!” – Jennifer Wright Cook, Executive Director of The Field
“The downtown theater world was and still is my home. I see no difference between how I practice my art at Soho Rep. or the Vivian Beaumont theater. The more connections we can make between Broadway, Off Broadway and Off-Off Broadway the better. In the face of massively dwindling arts funding an initiative like the Indie Theater Fund is VITAL to support.” – Richard Crawford, War Horse, The Flying Machine