Photos: Billy Porter, Laura Linney, More Attend Signature Theatre's 35th Anniversary Gala | Playbill
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Benefits and Galas

Photos: Billy Porter, Laura Linney, More Attend Signature Theatre's 35th Anniversary Gala

The Off-Broadway theatre announced that Eisa Davis will be the company's next resident artist.

March 23, 2026 By Meg Masseron

Billy Porter (HanJie Chow)

Get an inside look into Signature Theatre's 35th Anniversary gala, held March 19 at NYC's Edison Ballroom, with the photos in the gallery below. The evening raised $680,00 for the company. 

Signature also announced its newest Resident Artist, Obie Award winner Eisa Davis (Warriors), as well as two productions set for the 2026–27 season: Lauren Yee's semi-autobiographical play King of the Yees with Tony winner Francis Jue in the cast, and Davis' Angela’s Mixtape, which explores the artist’s own family life and her relationship to her aunt, legendary activist Angela Davis.

The evening was attended by Signature playwrights, artists, and supporters including Heather Christian, Quiara Alegría Hudes, Samuel D. Hunter, David Henry Hwang, Bill Irwin, Zoe Kazan, Laura Linney, Edward Norton, Billy Porter, and more.

Four-time Emmy Award-winner and three-time Academy Award nominee Laura Linney was in attendance in honor of her father, the late playwright and Signature Resident Romulus Linney, whose work comprised Signature’s first ever season. The Pershing Square Signature Center’s Romulus Linney Courtyard Theatre is named after him. 

See photos from the event below.

Go Inside Signature Theatre's 35th Anniversary Gala

“Being a writer never stops being vulnerable. It never stops being itinerant and unpredictable, no matter the accolades or the size of the body of work. What Signature offers our Resident Artists is a chance to put down some roots. To know, up front, that they will make multiple shows with us. That there will be resources for developing new work, and accessible tickets for new fans to find them. That they will get to know the staff and supporters and be asked, genuinely, what they need to make the place their own,” said Artistic Director Emily Shooltz in a statement.

Performances included pre-show entertainment from Brooklyn United Drumline; an opening number performed by Jonathan Christopher and Courtney Reed; “Starchild” from Resident Artist Dave Malloy’s Ghost Quartet, performed by Brent Arnold, Brittain Ashford, Margo Seibert, Zack Zaromatidis, and Ben Moss; a performance by Ato Blankson-Wood, Ally Bonino, Damon Daunno, Carla Duren, Ashley Pérez Flanagan, and Ben Moss of “Reminder Song” by Tony-winning composer Shaina Taub; and Tony Award nominee Kenita R. Miller singing ”Things To Find" from the upcoming Signature production of Heather Christian's Animal Wisdom.

The evening also included a proclamation from New York State Senator Erik Bottcher. 

The house band, led by music director Ben Moss, included percussionist Ben Arons, bassist John Murchinson and guitarist Zack Zaromatidis.

For more information, visit SigTheatre.org.

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