New York City is getting a new theatre, specifically Washington Heights and Inwood. Lin-Manuel and Luis A. Miranda Jr.'s Miranda Family Fund and NewYork-Presbyterian have each pledged $1 million towards the building of The People's Theatre: Centro Cultural Immigrante, which will become the neighborhood's first flexible theatre. The theatre is expected to open its doors in 2026.
Located at 407 West 207th Street, the venue will amplify the city's immigrant communities, cultivating work by local artists and organizations. The 19,000-square-foot space has been designed by woman- and immigrant–owned architecture firm WORKac and theatre and acoustics consultant Charcoalblue, and will include a flexible midsize theatre, a smaller performance space, rehearsal studios, a practice room, and a gallery space. Programming plans include live performances, film screenings, civic events, classes, festivals, and more.
The project has a budget of $37 million, towards which the City of New York has already earmarked $24.4 million in support. As ground was broken October 25, the project celebrated passing the $30 million mark.
“It is with tremendous pride that we break ground today on The People’s Theatre: Centro Cultural Inmigrante, here in Northern Manhattan,” say both Mirandas in a statement. “It is no secret our family loves this neighborhood. This is because Northern Manhattan is a vibrant, hardworking community of diverse creators, makers, movers, and shakers—all looking to share their stories. Theatre is about community, offering a space where art, culture, and identity converge. Our uptown neighborhood is more than ready to have a permanent home for its theatre practitioners, to nurture and showcase countless generations of storytellers and stories to come.”
“The People’s Theatre: Centro Cultural Inmigrante will be an exemplary space, developing and producing theatre that is more equitable and representative of immigrants, Latine artists, and our communities of color,” adds PTP Executive Artistic Director Mino Lora. “For the last 15 years, we have been committed to uplifting the voices of marginalized communities, and The People’s Theatre will connect, inspire, and catalyze generations of immigrants and their allies. We are extremely grateful for the catalytic support from Governor Hochul, EDC, DCLA, the Miranda Family Fund, and NewYork-Presbyterian during this exciting moment for our neighborhood and our organization, with an opportunity to build a community-rooted and anti-oppressive cultural institution in New York City from the ground up.”
More information about the ongoing fundraising campaign can be found at PeoplesTheatreProject.org.
