New Victory Theater

### About New Victory Theater The New Victory Theater stands as a beacon of extraordinary performances and education, dedicated to young people and families. Located in the heart of New York City's vibrant Times Square, it is the first theater in the city exclusively providing year-round programming for children and families. The New Victory Theater is an initiative powered by New 42, an organization with a mission to make exceptional performing arts an integral part of everyone's life from the earliest years. Founded on the principles of access, equity, and inclusion, New Victory Theater is recognized as a standard-bearer for quality performing arts for young audiences in the United States. Under the leadership of New 42 President & CEO Russell Granet and Artistic Director Mary Rose Lloyd, the theater has become a global leader in arts education, youth development, and community engagement. Its contributions have been acknowledged with prestigious accolades, including the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award from the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, a national Arts Education Award from Americans for the Arts, and recognition from the Drama Desk for its enchanting children's theater that resonates with both young people and adults alike. The New Victory Theater prides itself on its international programming, connecting audiences to new cultures, artists, and stories. It has been commended by The New York Times for treating young audiences with respect and recognizing the sophistication of children's tastes in the arts. #### Artistic Programming and Research The theater is at the forefront of Theater for Young Audiences, leading the field with innovative artistic programming. New Victory's commitment to research is evident in its groundbreaking study on the impact of performing arts on kids, which underscores the theater's dedication to educational and engagement initiatives. #### New Victory LabWorks As a leading incubator for new theatrical work for children, New Victory LabWorks fosters the creation and development of fresh and engaging performances, ensuring a dynamic and evolving repertoire. #### New Victory Usher Corps The New Victory Usher Corps is a program that provides jobs, academic support, and mentorship for NYC youth, highlighting the theater's investment in the local community and the future of the performing arts industry. #### Theater History The New Victory Theater, the oldest operating theater in New York, has a rich and diverse history. Originally built in 1900 by Oscar Hammerstein, the theater was known as the Theatre Republic, complete with a Venetian façade and a rooftop oasis known as The Paradise Roof Gardens. Throughout its lifetime, the theater has undergone numerous transformations, from the opulent Belasco Theater to the burlesque hub Minsky's Republic, and later, a movie theater during the decline of 42nd Street. In the 1990s, the nonprofit organization The New 42nd Street was established to revitalize the historic theaters of 42nd Street, leading to the rebirth of the theater as The New Victory. The theater was restored to its former glory, reminiscent of Hammerstein's original design, and was modernized to cater to the needs of families and young audiences. Today, the New Victory Theater not only stands as a testament to the resilience and transformation of New York's theatrical landscape but also as a pioneer in creating a dedicated space for young people to experience the magic of live performance.