ALab (Artist’s Laboratory) is an NYC-based theater festival that takes place several times a year at The IRT Theater in the West Village. Our mission is to present diverse, experimental works to new audiences at accessible prices while providing free resources and fair compensation to participating theater artists.
"LaLaHaHa Museum" by LaLaHaHa, Photo by Hayley Scherman
What we do
The festival operates in a shared-space model, with programmed artists creating and performing work in repertory at the IRT’s decked-out black box theater. In the intimate 33-seat space, as many as five shows are presented in a single day, cultivating an electric, in-the-moment playground for artists and audiences alike.
ALab gives foundational, unmatched support to both emerging and established theater artists in NYC. By providing free marketing, tech rehearsals, personnel, equipment, performances, and compensation to programmed artists, ALab erases financial barriers to entry and provides a safe space for risky experimentation.
Through events and workshops, artists are able to build community with each other, gain producing experience, and expand their audiences– guaranteeing they’re equipped to continue pushing theatrical boundaries in the future.
ALab keeps ticket prices low (base ticket prices always less than $20), assuring new, diverse audiences have access to experimental work in the face of rising commercialism and artistic conformity. Through additional discounts and post-show events, we are proud to build patron communities founded on expansive access to the arts.
Time Passes by The Goat Exchange
Support ALab Today!
This Fall, ALab is fundraising to radically expand our mission to support artists through free resources and fair compensation while lowering ticket prices to accessible rates. Through your support, all Winter 2026 artists will be offered stipends to cover individual production costs ahead of performances and base ticket prices will remain at a subsidized rate lower than $20. Please consider giving a tax deductible donation today to help us reach our fundraising goal of $11,000 and further our mission of presenting affordable, experimental new theater!
Arden of Faversham by Luke Wisniewski, Photo by Stepan Liubimov
ALab Theater Festival is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions for the charitable purposes of ALab Theater Festival must be made payable to “Fractured Atlas” only and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
