Out of the Box Theatrics is now operating the newly renamed Off-Broadway theatre 154, formerly known as The New Ohio Theatre, which closed its doors August 31.

Programming at the Off-Broadway venue, located at 154 Christopher Street, will begin immediately and continue through the end of 2024.

“We are honored to be given this opportunity to program this historic and cherished space,” says Founding Artistic Director Liz Flemming. “Out of the Box Theatrics is thrilled to have a home to amplify and elevate our mission of uplifting marginalized communities through the stories we tell.”

Out of the Box Theatrics was founded in 2016 by Flemming, a legally blind artist, to create space for historically underrepresented artists. The company aims to challenge audiences' expectations and create a more equitable theatre industry through innovative, site-specific productions, and inclusive casting. 

The Ohio Theatre, originally located in Soho, was founded in 1995 by writer and director Robert Lyons. In 2010, Lyons moved the organization to Christopher Street, where it was renamed the New Ohio Theatre and remained until 2023. Lyons announced earlier this year that he would retire and open the space to not-for-profit theatre companies. Out of the Box was chosen from a pool of applicants to take over programming. 

Out of the Box intends to provide weekly community events for artists, free educational workshops, a new works reading series, a cabaret series, and three mainstage productions to be announced in January. Programming is made possible through an arrangement with ChaShaMa. 

Visit Ootbtheatrics.com.