Ars Nova

Ars Nova exists to discover, develop and launch singular theater, music and comedy artists who are in the early stages of their professional careers. Our dynamic slate of programs supports outside-the-box thinking and encourages innovative, genre-bending work. By providing a protective environment where risk-taking and collaboration are paramount, Ars Nova gives voice to a new generation of diverse artists and audiences, pushing the boundaries of live entertainment by nurturing creative ideas into smart, surprising new work.

Ars Nova presents over 100 unique live events each year, supporting over 500 emerging theater, comedy, and music artists. With our feverish bounty of programming, we are the stomping ground and launching pad for visionary, adventurous artists of all stripes. As NYC’s premiere development hub, we create an environment where the weird kids thrive and where no idea is too crazy to be possible. These collaborations result in pirate-puppet-rock-odysseys, electro-pop-operas, farces-in-burlesque, nights of mind-bending magic, plays performed mostly in silence, immersive Korean-pop music factory experiences, and everything and anything in between.

Ars Nova has been honored with an OBIE Award and a Special Citation from the New York Drama Critics’ Circle for sustained quality and commitment to the development and production of new work. Notable past productions include the “Outstanding Musical” Lortel Award winner KPOP by Woodshed Collective, Jason Kim, Helen Park, and Max Vernon; “Best New American Theatre Work” Obie Award-winner & one of the New York Times’ “25 Best American Plays of the Last 25 Years” Underground Railroad Game by Jennifer Kidwell and Scott R. Sheppard, directed by Taibi Magar (now on international tour); “Outstanding Musical” Lortel and Off Broadway Alliance Award-winner FUTURITY, by César Alvarez with The Lisps; the New York Times’ and New York Post’s “Best of 2015,” A

Small Mouth Sounds by Bess Wohl, directed by Rachel Chavkin); Time Out New York’s “Best of 2014,” JACUZZI by The Debate Society, directed by Oliver Butler; and the Tony Award-winning smash-hit Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 by Dave Malloy, directed by Rachel Chavkin.